Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1845-05-30
VOL. xxx, NO. 90 WHOLE NO. 2O15.

corn-heaps are washed, and down tbov eli, 30 s,oh
a dinner as might satisfy crew of sbipwrockod
men. lhcre are seldom any Of your "wisliy-wasbv
soups" except it be very cold weather, and seldom
more than two courses; but then they are coursesi
All of the meat kind seems set the table at once
OH go the covers, and what perplexing, but I'M
consumable variety! Such pieces of roast beef
veal and lamb such hams, and turkeys, and geese
such game, and pies Of pigeons or other things
equally good, with vegetables Of all kinds in sea-
son-peos potatoes, caulowers, kidney-beans, let.
tuces and whatever the season can produce, The
most potent OF ale and porter the most crystalline
and cool water, are freely supplied. and wine for
those that will. When these things have had am
PIE respect PAID to them they vanish, and the ia
bic is covered with plum-puddinps and fniit.tarts
cheesecakes, Syllabus, and oil the nck-nackerv Of
whipped creams and ellies that female invention
can produce. And them a dessert of equal profi
SION Why should we tantalize ourselves with the
VISION OF all those nuts, wanuts, almonds raisns.
fruits and CONNECTIONS? Enough that they arc
there; that the wine circulates-rooseberr and
damson malt and birch-elderfowe and cowsp;
and loud Is the clamor of voices, male and female
II there be not quite so much refinement of tone
and manner quite SO much fastidiousness of phrase
and action as in other places there is at least
more hearty laughter more natural popularity, and
many
Random shot of country wit,
as Burns calls it A vast talk there is of all the
country round; every strange circumstance, every
incident and change of condition, and new alliance
amongst their mutual friends and acquaintances,
pass under review. The ladies withdraw and the
gentlemen draw together; spirits take place of
vine, and pipes are lighted. We know what sub
jects will interest them-farming improvements and
potics-and so it goes till tea-time.
| When summoned to tea, there are additional ia
ces. The pastor and his wife, perhaps a son and
daughter or daughters, there and there is the
clerk, too-the very model of respect and rever-
ence towards his clerical superior. Whatever that
learned authority asserts this jealous and dearly
beloved Moses" testifes. He calls attention to
what the vicar says he repeats with great satisac-
ton his sayings. There, too, is the surgeon, and
often the veterinary surgeon, especially as he is
often farmer, and in intercourse with all the far
ners FAR and near This may seem an odd tumble
OF ranks, bnt it is no more odd than true. Who
that has seen anything Of rural life, has not seen
; odder medleys? Besides, money, in all grades of
society, can do miracles. There are cIergymen in
many parishes, who maintain their own ideas of
dignity, and seldom move out of the circle of
squires and danes; but there are others, and in
perfectly rural districts there abundance of 9TH
; ers, that know how to mix more freely with the
yeomanry of their tocks, and lose nothing either
If they respect themselves they insure the respect
and what is better, the attachment of their hearers
: But the wears presence, on such day, is felt.
There is more palpable approximation towards
slence-a drawing tighter of the reins of CONVEX
r.
are now become great listeners, and often, such
occasions, have seen a scene worthy of the sound
sense Of English yeomen; for the pastor addresses
his observations and inquiries to this ndividu-
al, and now TO that, and now converses in tone
of pleasant humor with the ladies', so that YOU may
often hear sober discussions the passing top
les of the day, and the prospects of the country
and especially of that part of it to which they be-
e long, delivered in a homely manner perhaps, but
, with discrimination and practical knowledge that
e are very gratifying. And on the part of the fe-
+ males, you shall see so many symptoms of rood
Y heartedness and real matronly mind as make you
feel that sense, SOUL and true sympathies, are of no
/, particular grade, or particular style of life.
I But there must be dance for the young and
then cards for the more sedae; and then again, to
a supper as proiuse, with its hot game, and fowls,
and fresh pastry, If it had been the sole meal
cooked in the house that day. The pastor and his
company depart; all begin to talk of parting and
are 10th to part till it grows late and they have,
some of them, six or seven miles to co. perhaps on
pitch-dark night, through byways, and with roads
not to be boosted Of All at once, however, up rise
the men to 90, for their wives who asked and look
ed with imporng eyes in vain now show them
selves cloaked and bonneed, and the carriages are
= heard with grinding wheels at the door, There is
2 a bosterous shaking of hands, score of invita-
tons to come and do likewise, given to their enter
2 tainers and they mount and away! When you see
the blackness of the night, and perceive at what
= rate they drive away, you expect nothing else
than to hear the next day, that they have dashed
their vehicles to atoms against some post, or pre-
g cipltatcd themselves into some quarry but all is
+ right. They best know their own capabilities, and
y are at home, safe and sound.
h Such is specimen of the festivities of what may
be called the middle and substantial class of farm
: ers; and the same thing holds, in degree, to the
: very lowest grade of them. The smallest farmer
0 will bring you out the very best he has he will
j spare nothing on holiday occasion; and his wife
will present you with her simple slice of cake and
. a glass of currant cowslip wine, with an en-
+ presSemeat and welcome, that, you feel to the
heart, is real, and bestowal of real pleasure to
? the oiferer.