Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1843-07-01
NANTUCKET sHEEp-sHEARING.

FROM THE NANTUCKET INQUIRER SATURDAY LAST.
THE SHEEP SHEARING ancient festival has dua
y observed during the week by whole population
aordng for much simple but hearty essy and
social happiness This usage coeva with the early times of
our island Of devong lhSss four days in the month Of
TO the shearng OF the sheep and TO social pasmes a
fords the only hoydays which people enjoy. II would be
well such occasions frequent III the country than
they se certainly would be well If the suserity of
islanders was oftener relieved BY public gatherings and the
interchange OF civiles and would certainly be well the
tendency of society IN this place into copaniss and
cques were somewhat CONTROLLED md spirit of gene
Iaiintercourse cultivated among us.
The four days" began Monday morning with a clear
SKY and charming summer bEeezes aud by early dawn the
sheep drivers had begun their
the island in search of the animals who furnish for
the day. The circle formed by the horsemen the outskirts
OF the island gradually narrowed by the approach of the
drivers OF the ock to the CENTRE and by
gathered are driven into pens the borders Of the washing
pond and are then selected by their respective
81 ana SCI g liberty into an enclosure containing about s
ven hundred acres whence the third and fourth days
after the wool has become sufficiently dry tbe are ana
dsrobed OF their feecy They are lien ~ nafqs
upon the common and in few hours Eetuyn with unainR
speed and to the identical spots whence they wsvs
driven. 800. $50 VI & 7
walk the ground. devoted 10 shsss Abors brings 10
view many groups Of wedFssed people and happy youthful
faces wearing the smile which their blooming cheeks de-
notes the cheerful heart. -
On the roads the Of action and in the shorough-
fares OF the town. carriages of every capacity and description
from the horse Nantucket caash the four-horse
bus OF the city, close packed with passengers and huryng
ana by the show OF life the exterior of society
life within the individual breast.
On the ground this feature Of interest the
spacious tent erected by the Washington Total Abstinence
Society for accommodation Of the cold army and
others who might need refeshment within spacious folds
his tent was one hundred feet long by fifty wide and thirty
Nigh II displayed the American banner during the four
days and was the of the army youthful vo-
tares OF total abstinence, who Wednesday afternoon
marched from the Town Hail. according general orders
previously given out TO the shearing grounds.
This procession of the interesting sights of
the season. About three hundred children composed the
oh hu Anfrc
streets OF the town. Arrived the Wahngonan tent thew
Joined their silver voices in singing several cold water
songs and having partaken refreshments and been
addressed in suitable remarks the procession was re-
formed and returned the The escort duties of the
day were performed by corps of citizens horseback
The evening exercises have been less
the peculiar character of people than those the da
For the first time in the history of island theatrical
formances have been exhibited during the past week
Aher play called the Reformed Drunkard Moral
Drama was brought out and The drunkards progress from
reputation and good estate to disgrace and poverty duly
presented concluding with his signing the plsdge be-
coming restored to that liberty wherewth total abstinence
maketh Free ~ na
Then those delightful vocalsts the Huchnsons at seye.
raj public concerts charmed the of appaudpe audo
ry by their exquisite strains
And lastly but combining all that please to eve the
and there the Fair held under the La
dies Howard Society ia Washington Hail. This spacious
room was decorated with TASTE the tables were
not subdued by the charms SALE be was sure
be bewichsd by chafms could not be bought Spark
ling eyes rosy lips Smiling aees damask cheeks the melody
sweet Voices and the rich notes of the piano. the La
dies Fair the most sesns and most captivating entertain
evening their talent in aid Of the
object of the Fair Thsif Ils the ocean wave" was
most spiendldy snn9 IA