Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1840-01-02

closed the entertainment, leaving his happy
children, for such he considered us, to drean
over the blssful hours which they had pas
sed:
H " Lost vision MEMORY clings
H To all ofbrishI, and pure, aud fond,
II by thee enrolled :"
h Then every birthday sir, was festival, and
n where there were such number Of young
ladies', our celebrations were irequent:--
generally about one hundred and twenty OF
h thirty, and twelve eoverne.ses, beside those
h who attended at stated hours to teach en-
/ broidery, flagree, etc. On such occasions
f.. snow white napkin, with its border Of pink
/ ribbon, was, early in the day, spread upon q
table for birthday gifs the offerings Of friend
| ship aud love, and The fnir recipient, in re-
quitsl, gave the "(east," of cake and VINE,
to her room mates, provided for the purpose
| by the Inspector and charged to the acconpt
# the pupil. The governesses, in turn, cele-
| bratcd theirs in like manner, and the young
| lndles-sxteen in each r0om-then united
h in making purchase of a handsome dress, or
whatever else they thought would be most
acceptable to their teacher. The Inspector
aud his truly amiabls partner, dssr Mrs. Van
1 Week, always honored us with their ceinpa-
ny, adding by their presencc 10 the general
Joy. But of all our festivas-wI'h the ex'
ceplion of "Ihe Chldren's ftsfirai," on the
stventeenM Of .9ngpst-there were none, sir,
to which we looked forward with so much dc.
light, as to the Christmas Hoiidays and .Ns,e
YEARS. Zee. Many highly respectable s,ran.
gers, from New York and Phlladel phia, fire.
quently visited Bethlehem at this period, rs
the stages ran regularly. Some of the first
ladies' in the Union, as well as numbers from
/ the West Indies, were educated at this semi
nary, and many took great delight afterward
in returning to participate in the festivities
of the season. About the fifteenth Of De-,
cember the preparations for tho celebration
commenced, and for week all was bustle-I
The long tables and benches in our large
dining room, were all removed, TO give place
to euergreens of every beautiful variety tol
rich paintings, artificial flowers, and shells,
and all the minuia Of scenic representation,
according with the nativity Of the Saviour
and never did the governesses appear more
amiable than when thus engaged. We were
all excluded from the CONNIE ement in order |
TO give US an agreeable surprise at the cless
of their labors Of love. The cause of our be-
ing debarred participation in their pleasing
tolls, being then understood, gratitude was
added to affection, and we readily acIuie.ced
in the arrangement, for "aH icas sunshine in
each youhtM breast" and intelligent and
playful glances were exchanged as we ap.
preached the interdicted region, if by chance
we obtained, by the unexpected opening of
door, passing peep.
But little time was allowed US, however,
during this week of preparation, to wander
from our apartments. The studying and
rehearsal Of Christmas Dialogue, etc. engros-
sed us wholly and those whose services
were required in the musical department,
had their time wholly taskec but finally,
sir, all our tasks were accomplished, and
on Christmas eue we were amply rewarded
for all our privatons. The doors Of our
lining room, which had been so long closed,
we're thrown open to receive us, by our kind
friends and as we entered this region Of
snchantment, "o'er ,rhich Vere shadomy cast
Eysian CLEANS" our eyes were dazzled, and
n each glowing heart sensations Of the purest
pleasure were awakened. The recollection
,f that joyous hour still remains legibly in,.
pressed on memory's magic tablet still does
he sound Of girlhood's glee "o'er Fancys
sar its ,ciiche,ies fling" Their rapturous ex-
camations we're innumerable: Il" o Charlotte.
no look at that dear iatie babe!' says one 80
ism I 1t siceet :" exclaimed another on viewing
The representation Of the infant Jesus in the
,rms Of its virgin mother. Such an assem-
,lago of pleasing objects, could not but claim
,ur admiration and astonislment when we
considered how narrow were The limits for
he display Of such charming scenery. Day
ight was wholly excluded during the week
If exhibition but our little Theatre wns
,ery handsomely lighted, and we generally
lad an "orey7owing" audience to listen to
,ur Dialogue, beautiful in the simplicity of
Is narrations-the composition of one of our
lighly accomplished govcrnesses. On de-
cendng from the sleep. hall, on Christmas
morning, VIC hastened, in joyous anticipation
o our separate apartments, where we found
he tables decorated with Christmas gifts
rom our dear parental friend, Bishop Tan
'leck. Before the seat Of each young lady. /
vas placed napkin literally filed with cakes,
pples, small ,oar candles, and beautiful
title book, containing Christmas Hymns
md to add to our joy, each one on this day
ppeared in a ne,o dress rs we had to hold
,urselvos in readiness to rhoarse our Dia
ogue daiiy, until .Nsv Years Ere, smother
oyous epoch in our calendar Of festivals.
The celebration commenced Immediately
her tea, when, dressed in our best attire,
We all set forth, agreeable TO custom, going