Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-07-11
Odd ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICAN
INDEPENDENCE.

III iHO hHHiNcIsdiy Va ou' AN"t'oh"i ="
dependence, has been celebrated this
year, with moro than ordinary demon
strations ofjoy. Our mail papers from
almost every quarter, are filled with
/ details of the celebrations in various
Il lplaccs. Had we room, we would glad
ly transfer them to our ns.--But
as we have not, we must therefore con-
tent ourselves with summary merely
of the celebrations nearest home-bc-
ginning, by the way, al home first.
In this town, pursuant to the Gus
tomary arrangements ofthe Committee,
the procession, (Which was formed at
10 o'clock in front of the State House,
proceeded under escort Of the Artillery
Company, 1T. Col. TAYLOR, to the Uni
tartan Church in Mill-strcct. The
house was early filled with the beauty
and fashion of the town, and owing TO
its narrow dimensions, many were una
bic to obtain admission. The services
at the Meeting House, consisted of
Music by the Choir under the direction
of Mr.. Edward J.andcrs-Prayer by the
Rev. Mr.. Brooks, tone of his best, and
that is praise enough, ,)-Reading of
tho Declaration OF independence by
Mr.. Thomas f.. Townsend, and an Ora
ton by Mr.. John Wells. The Grafton
was well written, well delivered, and in
all respects appropriate to the occasion,
and credtablc 10 the talents of tho au-
thor.
The usual salutes were fired by the
Artillery Company, at sunrise and at
noon, and also from tho Revenue Cut
ter Vigilant. The day closed, as it
commenced, with the ringing Of all tho
bells in town.
A very important part of our celcbra-
ton of the 9TH, took place in the after
noon. All the Sunday School children
in town, convened at the North Baptist
Church, accompanied by their teachers
and the clergy, where the afternoon
was passed in addresses from the clcr-
yy and others, singing by the children,
sc. &c. much to the satisfaction of all
present. We regretted that other en-
gagcmcnts prevented our Witnessing
these highly interesting sorvices.-Thc
performances of the Juvenile choir,
numbering about 100 children of both
sexes, from 6 to If years of age, we
learn from those who were present,
would have done no discrcdit to children
more advanced in years. The correct
and orderly manner in which they ac-
quilted themselves, reflected much Gre
dit on the Rev. gentleman (Mr. How
ard, } who has 50 perscvcringly labored
to instruct them. AS his efforts have
been for the most part gratuitous in in
structing this juvenile class, ss,-thercby
aiiording an opportunity to all who felt
disposed to acquire instruction, the
result as exhibited OH the afternoon of
the 18th, must have been truly grateful
to his feelings.
At the close of the exercises ut the
meeting house, the congregation, by
request, walked in procession from
thence to the Mall, where previous to
parting, the choir sang two hymns,
which had fine effect, and added not
little to the festivity of the occasion.
In Providence, the day was celcbra-
ted in manner worthy Of the glorious
occasion. The comfortable sum of fire
hundred dollars, having been appropra-
ted by the municipal authorities, for the
purpose Of dciraying the expenses of
the celebration, the committee were
enabled to carry out the Day, as it al
ways should be, in handsome STYLE
The oration by Edward III. Hazard,
Esq, and the Poem by Mr.. Thomas p.
RodInan, were productions highly ap-
propi late and crcditablc to both. Those
who heard them, pronounce them so at
any rate, aud VIC do not doubt, at all.
the truth of the statement. After the
exercises at the Church, the City au-
thorItlcs, orator, about twenty rcvolu-
tlonary veterans, aud number of citi-
hcns, in all upwards Of 80, repaired to
the Franklin House, where they partook
Of splendid entertainment, served up
IN the well known capital style of the
Nlcssrs. Whncombs. Ills Honor the
Mayor pl,sIdcd at the table, aud toast,