Litchfield enquirer., 1839-07-18
ErAe E;1OEf.la Ennui,sr.


 Bantam The name, reader, is of Indian origin.=- It signifies the Land Ot Hills. How often hns the writer wandered over its delightful scenes and sun. veyed the vaHegatedl dlandscape with admiration But what changes have taken place, not only in the v- lage, but in the character and habits of it's citizens within few past yeaEs Sic trunsiG gloria marnGli The writer remembers the time when tho village was composed of not more than thirty dweine-hOus- es, mOst of them old fashioned and unpainted. The Episcopal Church stood at the west end of the town, about mile from the present St. .;Iichael's. It was
 plain building, painted white, without steeple bell, and very much resembled the clergyman who offica- ted there-an unassumng, meek and social sort of a man, but full of learning thrifty husbandman's barn is of grain. The first time attended, was at the age of sky years. My mother, who was always conscientious in her own way, respecting the Sab l bath was determined should go to church for the first time in my life. But what to be done for hat? My bare feet, which of the cleanest, my tattered jacket and trowsers, and hat !-I told the old lady at once, that would not bare-headed o the evils of early disobedience! ought to have said to her that should not like to do it, then No one expects it,' said she, [" for I've engaged hat of A. B. for you to wear to church; there is excuse for your staying at home and I'm determin- ed you shall go to church, and not be heathen all your days" True enough, the hat was brought, but it was a borrowed one. and belonged to one of the neighbours boys, and always had mortal antipathy against borrowing. On trying it on, found that my | eyes were completely ensconced beneath it's ample circumference entirely to shut out all ocular de- monstraton. Go to church would not, unless could see which way was marvellng. But the moth- CT was not 50 easily bafled She, therefore, took pine stick and whted it, or caused it to be whittled by the way, had the beerbarrel worked at the same time, it would have been an unpardonabe offence, and said barrel would have been severely ogged, without defence or evidence)-ihe stick, however, was adjust ed into the hat to admiration, and on my young sconce it went although it apparently large the wearer himself My feet, which had the appear ance of the fore and hind pedestals of toad more than those of human creature-a borrowed coat that hung down to my ancles-a pair of linen striped trowsers that covered about two-hrds of my ances, and left part of them as bare as those of young Scottish Highlander, composed my first Sundaygo-to- meeting suit. Behold me, then, mounted in an old fashioned chase, which was hired expressly for the occasion, and looked as if it might have been made in the days of Cotton Mather and of Salem witches and an old Rosnante in front whose sharp back,
  ton like skeleton which even the crows would not deign to foow and my maternal uncle held the rens and drove. On arriving at Church, I saw quite large congre- gatiOn of aged, midde-aged, and young men and wo- men, besides boys and girls. All appeared to be neat y clothed according te the fashion of the times, and seemed to be, externally at leas very devout and at tentive worshippers. Now and then, squall pro ceeded from one of the pews, and observed mo,h- CT endeavorng to quiet her noisy urchin. sat upon the gallery stairs although the fashion of selling slips at public auction not then in vogue. In this ele- vated situation, the best part of my time employ ed in munching fennel.seed, with which my consde. rate uncle had taken care to provide me- really ti- eG my best to look solemn, and listen to the servi- ces, although had no more understanding of their nature and design than parrot. Organs were not then in use in the churches. The favorite times of Near. Old Hundred and China, were the ne plus ul- tra of devotional music. The chonster was one of those oldfashioned clever sort of men, whom you sel dom meet with now-a-days. His hair had formerly been red, but was now almost entirely gone except a few stray locks just back of his ears He had high forehead, peaked nose, and eyes that twnkled with amazing good hulnor, except on Sundays and then they assumed very placid, but serious look. He did not roll them up, nor stare about the church with them, but kept them fixed upon the psalmbook, un. less he took them off occasionally, to glance at the choir of singers. Mr. S., (perhaps many may now recolect him. was really an honest and exem- plary man, and understood Church music remarkable well for the times. Methinks can sec him now as then, after the Psalm had been read by the pastor, putting the pitchpipe to his mouth, and naming the tune" Sing Mear," raising his hand and bringing it down alternately, to beat time on the bannister of the gallery. He had good voice for tenor, but at that time, it considered the perfection of Sacred Melody to sing through the nose. think recollect the very text that followed it related to Cloven tongues on the Day of Pentecost.' It was plain, practical sermon. and was heard with deep attention The villagers of Bantam were mostly practical fam- CTS and mechanics. and appeared very sedate and orderly. The girls dressed in their best calicoes and ginghams. and thought their countenances ex- neunely interesting; for young as was could not see pretty faces, without some degree of admiration They seemed to me like skillfuly drawn pictures. At noon, sat on the steps by the church-door and eat my bread and cheese, as was then the custom. likewise hooked some green apples from an orchard near by. as many ether boys did but it was very bad sin; for looking is usually the beginning of all moral evil under the sun. The Church was not or namented as sanctuaries are at present. The altar was of plain materials. but neat and painted white the pulpit equally unostentaiions. and the slips or pews of pine, and unpainted. But alas the church has been removed-and no trace of its site now re- mains. The former pastor has likewise left his con eregation-and of al the countenances that Isaw at church at that time recOllect but those of my uncle. the good pastor. and the chorister So much for the earliest reminiscence.
 Henry Ciay.-Notice is going the rounds of the pa- pers that this gentleman intends visiting the Lakes.