American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-07-26
Tor the American Republican. ]
PICNIC PARTY.

l~--NlC An l.
Ness rs Editow:-It is a universal remark OF
foreigners, that we have no national amuso-
nents. The Engshnlan has his cricket, QUOT,
and wrestling matches; the Spaniard his bull
fight; and the pleasures and amusements Of the
Frenchnen and Germans are without number.
The Ancients spent ne inConsideIable portion
of their time in this way, and their various
games were not only sanctioned, but encour-
aged and sustained by law. A competitor for
the foot race in the Olympic games, was known
10 train himself for three years before the race
was run, and the reward and fame attached to
The gaining OF the prize were considered equal,
# not superior, to any civil or military honor. .
Pindar has penned his finest stanzas and sung
his most heroic strains in their favor; and who
that has read his verse; cannot recall to mind
he excitement and interest of the scene.
And what manly sports or exercises have
we? Alas! in our boyhood we had some few,
but they have been dropt as we grew Older as
unworthy our attention, and in no way con-
nected with the now serious business of life
Year in, year cut, sees us toling and plodding
in an accustomed track-the track that leads
20 the abode of wealth. To be sure, it is vari-
cd now and then, by few hours aeeting ell
,oyment at Christmas, NeW-Iear Easter, and
the Fourth OF July, but who knows how long
= made into Christmas by some denominations,
and each succeeding New-Year has some com
plant to make to the older ones of want of at
tention and respect. The number Of Fourth
Of July speeches has decreased alarningly in
number; patriotism and talent too often have
degenerated into party bGlderdeah, as if the
theme had been so much used, turned over,
and hachneyed, that they could extract moth
ing which could interest or enchain!
But now 20 a more interesting theme, and
one which has suggested the above remarks
On the morning of the 23d of July might be
seen various groups and conveyences vending
their way through the Northern part of our
city, and the happy faces and joyous looks of
the different parties told that they anticipated
pleasure, somehow and somewhere The some
lohere was a shady wood about three miles
from the city, and the Sonlehoa0 was in Pic
Mic Party, whose numbers amounted to nearly
a hundred. The wood was skirted at its base
by that romantic and beautiful stream, Jones'
Falls, aad the railway to York ran lovingly by
It's side On the other side the noisy clatter of
cotton factory woke the echoes around. The
old stream is disturbed enough by it and the
shril whistle and noise from its neighbor, the
railroad. Times were not SO formerly. The
Inocking bird sang its mimic tones on the over
hanging branch, the whppoorwll reused the
still hour Of eve by its plantiVe strain, and day
after day, thousands OF wings were dappled in
its peaceful bosom, while oftimes the deer would
bring it's little fawn, the bear its cub, and to-
getheI they would eagerly quaf its cool waves
that had travelled long way from up the
mountains But see, the woods are peopled by
other inhabitants beside those old trees Did
you hear that laugh' trees do not laugh that
way. No, it was that Joyous cid man trying
20 throw of some of his superhuous years and
initiate the activity of his neighbors. Pent up
in the cty's dust, and din, customs and formal
tiles, a long twelve month has passed away
since he has had the freedom Of the fresh air,
and the liberty to use his lungs and limbs as he
pleased. All! what good it does him. The
blood is coming up in his face and the fire in
his eve; his limbs are firmer and his heart beats
time in strong pulsations. He has not felt SO
since he was 3 boy He is boy again. Did
you hear that shrill whoop: the rustlng Of a
dress, and the tread of slender foot. Robin
son Crusoe would not have been so frightened
if he had seen the impression that foot has
made. And yonder is the owner of it in that
maiden, who is trying to eclipse the,wind in her
speed, that gives up the contest and stops to
toy with her fcwng locks and ruddy checks.
1t is not often lie has the liberty to DO So and
he is evidently making the most use othis time.
But there are such variety of sights and
sounds, that it is hardly worth the while to par
:icularize. There is a group of maidens teaz-
ing luckless bachelor. They have tied bon
net on him, giving him an extraordinary re-
semblance to an cid maid done broion, and have
powdered his lanky phiz, besides giving him,
at the same time, lecture, mol a la Caudte, on
the evils and sinlulaess of bachelorism. And
there is another groupe engaged in the invgo-
rating exercises of the hoop, swinging, &c.
while the old woods are made vocal with airs
unknown to its native songsters from yonder
circle seated under the great oak. He has
dropped some of his acorns on them, as his
need Of praise.
It's time for dnner-so says the old man, the
rnaidens and the young men. They haven't
taken SO much exercise for long time, and it
is no wonder they have some faint sensations OF
hunger, and indistinct visions of chicken pie
and custard. At last there is the summons,
and the rich repast is ready to be sacrificed to
the shades of imperious hunger, and the indis-
tinct visions of chicken pie and custard have
become realities. am not good hand at de-
scribins dinner. As work a good deal, l
have nc time for observation; ! only saw a
neghbor of mine quaf five cups of coffee, and
fill up the intervals with making four or five
slices Of pie disappear with astonishing rapidity.
Sle complained that the chicken was tough,
and was making it up with the pies. Some
worthy member of the temperance society had
also tied an inverted champagne bottle over
the head of our worthy president, to designate
tho n,incipIe that governed the company.