Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-12-19
EASTERN TIMES.
Bath, Thursday, Dec. 10, 1850.
THANKSGIVING.

ucle, SlmpiV-nol as uidtteT vi He,cS, we ap
prize our readers that this is Thanksgiving do,
of turkey and plum-pndding notoriety-th
day that 'comes but once year-and shout,
not come eftener, for whole twelve months i
required TO digest not exactly the good thing
eaten on the occasion, but the general 600,
time so peculiar TO this time honored festival
Blessed be the people, say we, who, "invent
ed 1t, for it is no meaningless ceremony.
comes down to us as ''relic of the past" con
meeting the present with bye-gone days-awak
ening associations and "reminiscences that carry
us back to ''good old times" We hail it as
cherished relic of our puritancal ancestors
hallowed by revered and venerated associations
to be annually observed by New England
sons s';ill the end of time. P"
We have said that it is no meaningless GER
emony-the devoting of one day at the close OF
the autHmnal labors to the returning of thanks
and praise to "the Giver of every good" for
his bouniiful blessings What though there
be many who are insensible TO the higher obi
cations of the day-a partial observance is far
preferable TO no observance at all. What
though the anticipations of the day, with many
are only associated with the qualification of the
appetite, or connected with the lighter fesiivi-
ties incident to it-a good dinner may engen-
der the best of feelings, and pleasant recreation
induce to the well-being of all, We can only
hope
That the time may come, when Yankees, all,
Be they saint or sinner,
Will no longer call it GIVING THANKS
To-eat monstrous dinner! -
The custom of observing thanksgiving orig
mated with New Englanders, and like many
ofthe traits that characterize this sober, staid
and enterprising class of human beings, it has
clung to them through all their roamings and
wanderings, until it has nearly lost its local
character. Ii is exclusively New England
custom no longer-a majority of The States in
the Union having already signifed their appre-
citation Of New England good sense by uniting
in its observance.
Thanksgiving has It's pleasant associations
for all. How the blood in the veins of the
aged is quickened at the anticipations of seeing
every seat at the family board filled-wiih
what eagerness do the absent ones hasten their
flight TO the homes and scenes of their child
hood-and the little ones, too, who can de-
scribe their ectacies in the anticipated surfeit
of buildings and pies, on the occasion. The
family gatherings of the day-how happy
Trivial obstacles are no barriers to them, and
they that would slight them are untrue to their
instincts.
Thanksgiving has also its suggestions
fraught with wisdom Recipients of blessings
are melted to become almoners. in return, and
hard indeed must be the heart that beats not in
response TO the noble feelings that are engen-
dered so naturally in the human breast at the
reception or bestowal of the little favors and
benevolent acts that are prompted by the annu-
al recurrence of .Ni1o England 1Hanksgir-
ing! '. t'
We cannot close better than by giving the
poets description of the happy festival, in the
Thus shines the present, safe from wars
alarms
You till in peace your old ancestral farms;
Blithc with the Spring the busy task begin,
And feast at Autumn, when the harvests in.
Crowned is the board with all that man desires
Bright blush the ceilings with your rudy fires,
But brighter eyes are beaming round the board,
With mirth and fun, with-love and froiic stor'd d.
For who is sad when old Thanksgiving comes,
With all its wealth of sweetmeats, pies, and
plums:
Behold the farmhouse AT the old farm gale
A merry group in high expectation wait
The happy farmer, and the welcome guest,
The city cousin---very nicely dressed
The village beauty, in her bran new hood.
The happy children-most discreetly good,
The mother waiting for her eldest son.
Who brings the bride, he has but lately won /;
The village lovers, who have come to share
The evening revel, and the generous fare;
The little boys, with collars white as snow,
Who an the good things in the hrder know
The little girls,-their hair with ribbons tied,
Who wait to welcome the expected BRIDE
The trusty house-dog, with his knowing face,
Who seems to think that something will take
place,
Though what that something is, he docs not
know,
Walks grayely round, with steps serenelv slow.
But see. they come, the jingling bells are
heard,
Forth flies to meet them, many a welcome
word, ..t..-.s oil.
The mother holds within her warm embrace,
The new found daughter, with her smiling
face;
The boys and girls around their brother crowd,
With eyes all welcome, and with greetings
loud
Oh happy group; and oh most happy day J
Meier shall New England see its fame decay,
1t sthl shall live,-and all the future yet
Shall never one Thanksgiving day forget.