Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-05-23
For the Journal.
May celcbra,,on At Topsal,.

uninteresting to them.
will begin by giving briefly some idea Of the APP
pearance of SCOTS Hill, as you approach it on the
road from Wilmington. After passing about eleven
miles over sandy barren and desolate looking road
which fills the mind with horror, and the bones and
muscles of many poor horse with WEAKNESS we
find the road begin to get harder, and the earth to
assume darker color, vegetation to take more
uxurant stand, and the gay notes of numerous birds
chase away the tinge of gloom which the fore part
of the journey may have produced. After passing
on for short time, the eye is attracted by emf
nence, covered with beautiful oaks, whose towering
tops gently swayng to the impulse of the breeze
which is almost always to he had in this section In
the midst of this verdant grove. and on the highest
emnence of the Hill. is situated the capacous Acad
envy of Topsal whose white walls, seen through the
graceful boughs that are waving around them, are
peculiarly beautiful 1t was at this Academy that
a Queen of May was chosen from among the lovely
flock The place of rendezvous in the morning for
the Queen and her Maids of Honor was the house of
Mrs IsLER, from which they were to march to the
grove, that the Queen might there receive corona
ton. When the hour arrived for the Queen and her
train to march, the Rechabtes and the Cadets of Tenn
went in procession to escort them.
The day lovely one, and we'll adapted to the
occasion. Light clouds hung gracefully overhead,
and it seemed if every feature of nature was sm
ling ioyfully upon the youthful group who had col
lected to indulge in innocent and commendable
sports. The sound of approaching music told those
assembled that the Queen of May and her suite
were drawing The company divided and form
ed an alley, through which the Queen and her Maids
of Honor passed. verdant path strewn with
flowers. The throne beautifully decked off with
cedars and variety of forest blossoms and as they
assembled it. Miss Dora LARK1Ns the crowner ad-
dressed the Queen, in pretty language and in very
impressive manner, which was responded to by Miss
CLEOPATRA NIXON. the Queen, in terms equally i'm
pressive and elegant after which, Misses MARIA
FUTCH, SUSAN ARCHER, MARY E. ALEXANDER, and
MARY J. FuTcH, Maids of Honor, addressed the
Queen in a very appropriate manner, each present
ing her with boquet Of flowers. Then speech
received from Rev. Mr.. CHAFFIN, who APP
pointed by the Rechabtes to deliver an address on
the occasion. He handled his subject very ably
and when he had concluded, Mr.. w. F. ALDERMAN,
who appointed for the occasion by the Cadets of
Temperance, arose and addressed the assemblage in
very eloquent style, setting forth the advantages
the Temperance cause was likely to gain from the
Society of Cadets, and showing, beyond doubt, that
the evil can never be eradicated without their aid
When Mr.. A. had concluded, Rev. Mr.. BURKHEAD
on invitation addressed the a5sembIage on Temper
ance generally Through out his speech, Mr.. B.
cheered, and when he sat down Mr.. L.
w. HOWARD arose in behalf of the Cadets, and dev-
cred to the Queen a very pleasing and appropriate
speech, which was received by her with smile and
a graceful bow. Afterwards the company with the
Queen and her suite, were invited to sumptuous
dinner spread out beneath the shady oaks in anoth
er part Of the grove. Dinner being over, the more
dignifed male part of the company collected in the
lower story of the Academy and held Plank Road
meeting, while the younger part congregated in the
second story, where melodous songs and gay jests
were heard to pass around It seemed as if all were
Influenced by
The love which maketh all things fond and fair,
The youth which makes rainbow of the air.
Who does not feel, with the poet, while viewing
the joyous sports of youth
''ow dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood
When fond recollection presents them to view''
Hours passed like minutes with the youthful and
hght-hearted company and when the hour arrived
for them to disperse they did it with the agreement
that all should meet next day and take trip to the
banks. A short account of this trip will give you
if you've objection.
About seven o'clock in the morning, upon the
Sound shore were seen the merry faces we saw re-
firing from the Academy. All eyes were fixed upon
the ocean banks the destined place of pleasure and
of ollity. Five boats were collected and filed
(the,most comfortable ones with ladies' off they
were pushed-oars We're briskly and strongly used
and in q short time the precious cargo was landed
on the grit bank. 1t is beautiful bank, con
tanning cedar and ive-oak groves and lofty hills
which seem to the eye unused to such like miniature
red if by impulse, the hills to the
side of the bank, where they might view the sublime
scenery offered by the heaving Atlantic Here they
separated: some strollng along the shore--other:
climbing to the top of the highest hills to view thu
landscape DER, while others could content them
selves only with marching in and breastng the rush
ing pillows Of the ocean. | Will not attempt, Messrs
Editors to give my feelings viewing the scenery
before me- to utter the many sublime sentiment
heard offered the occasion, but suffice it to sa,
that water the reignng cry, for all thirst,
and none had thought to bring water The indus
trious began to dig with shells and soon came tt
water, about arms length You may suppose it We
ry bad water, but
Springs in desert found, sweet, all bracksh thong
they be-
| So it on this occasion. All drank and had
I i