Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-06-17
A SUNDAY IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

SAINT spring days which only South Carolin;
April Produces, that turned my horse from IN,
main road into one of those by paths which every
traveller at the South recognizes as leading to some
plantation behind the woods had thrown the
feIns careessly upon his neck, and was absorbed in
tne contemplation OF scene as beautiful as il was
new To my eye, when an old negro met me, and
'ouching his hat, pleasantly said :-"NIassa send
compliments to gemman, and happy to hab him
spen' Sunday at Marrivale"
An, Marrvale, is it And what is your mas
ter's name, uncle? 2"
"Aliston, Sir Him name John Aston, dat is
old massa. Young massa name Samwell hut he
gone to Europe for the health. Will gemman
please ride up to piazza 90
Yes, uncle !" replied, and putting spurs to
my horse met in moment the cordial greeting of
my host at his opened gate. ''Alight sir" was
the ready welcome of the old gentleman whose
manners were after the good John Hancock school.
now SO rapidly decaying from our country "A
light, Sir. and Cesar will take your horse It's
not often we meet traveller at this season of the
year at Marrivale, and assure you your welcome
Is most sincere"
replied In meet terms to IN Invitation SO cordi-
ally given, and entered the house. A few minutes
sufiiccd TO put me OH footing of friendly familiar
NY with my host and family, and before evening
found myself in Il circle of daughters and grand
children, ms much at home as though had been
long expected guest.
have said 1t was the last day of the week. and,
by the preparations of the evening" was pleased
IL find what had so often found in my travels in
South Carolina, that Sunday was regarded as dav
ot rest. Long before sun-setting, the field hands
completed their tasks, and were gathering in groups
around their white-washed cottages Their d.
nestle servants earlier release from their du
ties than usual (; the stores for the Sabbath were
sent from the larder 10 the kitchen, and were all
prepared for distribution TO the various families be-
fore the evening should close the quiet conversa-
ton OF the group seated on the piazza OF the plain
1--WE notes OF some camp meeting hymn accompany
my the guitar in the parlOr, the early gathering
OF the inmates Of the household around the family
altar, each and all indications Of the near an
proach of holy time.
1t was TO me beautiful scene, that whole view of
master and family, and servants evincng, in the
delicate standings OF the picture, that the Sabbath
influence had touched each heart-beautiiul beyond
the powers of language to describe and never even
amid the secluded glens of New England, where
The customs of the good old Puritans have been I'M
altered by the innovations of the age, have | felt
hoer emotions stealing over my spirit on a Satur-
day evening than experienced in the house of a
planter on the banks OF the South Santee
had scarcely finished my toilet next morning,
when the old servant, who had welcomed me on
my arrival, and who afterward found ont to be a
sort OF major dOmo on the plantation, blew his horn
from his stile, and presently from every corner and
building there issued the neat and cleanly negroes
Fastening TO the morning prayers at the mansion.
On going below, found group of every age
and color some seated upon the long benches of the
piazza, and others crowding the halls and paror.
all devout and serious in appearance, and, without
single exception as well clothed as | ever saw n
class OF operatives at the North or in England,
waiting the coming Of my host, who was to them
indeed both priest and father to lead i'm the devo-
lions. lie entered the rooms, and the ready sau-
tation OF ''good morning." from young and old,
seemed to me more like the spontaneous good wish
es of family of children than the forced civility of
servants, and the kind response from the old man.
told more than volumes of his fraternal feelings
toward them all. The chapter from the family
Bible, the hymn, sung in the sweet voice for which
Southern negroes are remarkable, and the PRAYER
ended, all silently returned to their cottages to meet
again at Church.
Then came the breakfast with its never falling
homney and waffles then the preparation for at
tending divine service of the pastor, then the ride
on horseback in carriage 10 distant place OF
worship, carrying with it the harmony OF an estab-
Iishment regulated upon the prnc pies Of Christian
love and to those who doubt that true pety in her
most graceful garb can be found where slavery ex-
lists, let me recommend tour of a single month a.
long the rich river banks of Carolina | am no adj
vocate for slavery, but, dearly as ] love freedom
and heartily as wish that every bondman in our
land was cmancipated from his thraldom dare
not disguise the truth in these simple sketch
es.-KnicLerbocker