The Middlebury people's press. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1841-1843, 1843-07-19
AGRICULTURAL.
NANTUCKET STRENGTHENING.
FROM THE NANTUCKET ENQUIRER OF
SATURDAY LAST.

SATURDAY LAST.
HE SHEEP SHEARISG.-The ancient fes-
tiv1l has been duly observed during the week
10y our whole population. as affording an Oc
casIon for much simple but hearty festivity
Snd social happiness. This usage. coeval
with the early tines ofour island, of devot-
ting three or four days in the month of June
TO the shearing of the sheep and social pas
times, affords the Only holidays which our
people eajsy. X would be well ir such &C.
eaSions were more frequent in the country
than they are: certainly it would be well if
the austerity of oNr islanders was oftener re.
heved by public gatherings AID the inter-
chlnge of civiltes and it would certainly be
well II the tendency of society in this place
to run into companies" and cliques were
somewhat controlled, and a spirit of more
general intercourse cultivated anongus.
The d" four days. began on Monday NOR
nlng with clear sky and charming summer
breezes, and by early dawn the sheep drivers
1ad segun their excursion TO the distant part
81 the island in search of the animals who
furnish business for the day The circle
formed by the hOrseman on tie outskirts of
the island is gradually narrowed by the ap
2reach of the drivers of the flock to the cen
TIRE, and by noon the sheep then gathered are
urIven INTO pens on inc 5or1ers &C. he wash
ing pond, and are then selected by their re-
Spective owners, washed and set at liberty
INTO an enclosure containing about eleven
hundred acres, whence, on the third and
fourth days, after the wool has become suf-
iicently dry, they are taken aud disrobed of
their feecy treasures. They are then set at
large upon the common, and in few hours
return with uDfailing speed and accurac, to
he I'd Cal fhat, Irs.-
.iwalk over the grounds devoted to these
labors brings TO view many groups of well
dressed people and happy youthful faces,
wearing the smile which on their booming
checks denotes the cheerful heart.
On the roads to the scene of action. IN the
horoughfares of the town, carriages of eve
ry capacity and desert ptIon from the one
horse Nantucket calash TO the four horse
@nlnibus of the city, close packed with pas
sengers, and hurryIng in hot haste to and fro
enl ~ the usual dulness of our streets, and
by the show oflife on the exterior of society
create new life within the individual breast
On the ground, this year, a new feature of
interest was the spacious tent erected by the
Washington Total Abstinence Society for
the accommodation of the Geld water army
and others who might need refreshment
within ats spacious folds. This tent was one
hundred feet long by fifty wide and thirty
high. 1t displayed the American banner du-
ring the " four days." and was the headquar-
tiers Ofthe army of youthful votaries of total
abstinence, who on Wednesday afternoon
marched from the Town Hall, according to
general orders previously given out, to the
>hearing grounds.
This procession was one of the most inter
esting sights of the season. About three
hundred children composed the troop, and
proceeded, accompanied by baud of music
aud displaying appropriate banners, through
some of the principle streets of the town.
.frrived at the Washingtonian tent, they
Iolued their silver voices in singing several
" cold water" songs and having partaken
some refreshments, and been addressed IN
some suitable remarks, the procession was
reformed, and returned to the town. The
escort duties of the day were performed, 10y
L corps sfcitizen on horseback.
The evening exercises have not been les
Characteristic of the "peculiar character o
our people than those of the day. For thu
ilrst tiiase IN the history of our island, thea
trlcal performances have been exhibited du
ring the past week. At the Athensum &
play called the Reformed Drunkar6, a
Moral Drama was brought out, and tn,
drunkard's progress from reputation ant
good estate to disgrace and poverty were
duly presented, concluding with his "sigu
ing the piedge,'' and becoming restored t,
that liberty wherewith total abstinence ma
keith free.
Then those delightful vocalists, the Hutch
insOns, at several public concerts charme,
the ears of an applauding auditory by thei
exquisite strains.
And lastly but combining all that was pleas
ant TO the eye and the ear, there was tn
Far held under the patronage of the Ladie:
Howard Society, in Washington Hall. Thl
spacious room was decorated with surpas:
ing taste, the tables were stocked with III
most attractive wares, and if the visiter wer
not subdued by the charms of the articles fl
sale, he was sure to be bewitched by tn
eSharns which could not he bought Spark
ling eyes, rosy lips, smiling faces, dainas
cheeks, the melody of Sweet voices, and tn
rich notes Of the piano, made the ladies Fai
.he most elegant and most captivating enter
'ainment of the season. At the close of tn
,ales on Thursday evening the Hutchinson