The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-07-21
summer Sketches. NO. 3.
BY MARY J. wrsDLE.

We hardly dare tread on this section of Wiz.
giria, which Mrs. SoUTHwoRTH has made elias
steal ground by her more powerful pen. A gem
of "a place il is, SO hedged in by green hills
and frowned over by the Blue Ridge" that il il
difficult to say whether the sublime or beautiful
FREEDOM nate around it.
The house was built in the year 1900. Ii is
situated on rising ground, which slopes down
in a succession of natural Terraces to the
Shenandoah. A portico shelters the front, ex-
tending the whole length of the building, while
a lawn of rich heavy grass---hedged in by rus
tic fence-receiyes just enough of the sunshine
that lay on it in the morning. and Of the dews
which rain from the leaves at nightfall, to keep
it thicker and more wildly green than any spot
in the neighborhood. Scattered here and there
on the slope are graceful cabins, suggesting
ideas Of home, peace, and contentment.
Through this unrivaed valley, the Shenan-
doah river winds to and fro, like thread of
silver through tissue of green, its bright waters
flashing and dancing in the sunlight, and its
borders fringed with thick foliage and frowniny
granite. Altogether, it is very much to be
doubted if another spot so luxuriant in verdure,
and so deliciously secluded, can be found on this
side of Paradise. Let the admirer of nature,
who is fond Of sublime sensations, visit Shan
nondale; there is part of that dust Of earth
which gathers so sadly upon the spirit during
our daily commune with this world, that here
seems cast oft. 1t is not necessary that he be
poet, or painter, for there spread out here, in
earth aud heaven, pictures such as never graced
the galleries of art, and scenes painted by the
hand Of the Almighty, for whose faintest INIT =
ton the connoisseur would pay the price of an
estate. Nature, with her unerring pencil, seems
to have given in this, her solitude, those ex.
quisite touches in the great picture of creation,
as if to contrast her own subimer reality with
the frequent initiative efforts OF human skill
To the man Of business, overburdened with
the sordid cares Of life, we would say come !!
In this earthly Eden YOU may forget for awhile
the bank note world"
To the invalid, in search of pure air and sa-
lubrious water, combined with home comforts
rarely found at fashionable watering places,
we would say come!
Nothing can be conceived more picturesque
than the scene which meets the eye from our
low window. The hall and portico are brilliant
with richly dressed people, broken into groups
and seeking any chance amusement that presents
itself Some are interesting themselves in TROLL
ing nine-lins others are lounging carelessly in
easy chairs, drinking huge draughts of spring
water from tumbers as clean and sparkling as
the liquid which they contain; others, more
youthful, are filling the air with laughter over
their games while those of more thoughtful
mood, have betaken themselves to whist, though
occasionally casting eager chances towards the
road on which the stage is every instant ex-
pected to appear. To complete the joyous as
pect of the scene, groups Of children run in and
out among the trees in their young gracefulness,
making the elastic air buoyant with mirth.
1t is hcart-inspiring spectacle Each is se-
cure to find the pleasure which he seeks; for
that pleasure is, in itself, of so natural and sim
pie description, that it requires no combina-
ton of dnrses to produce it bright sky---a
balmy atmospheric lovely landscape-are all
that is necessary to its enjoyment.
All at once there is a push in the amuse-
ments the uplifted cards fall with the hands that
hold them, and the battle-door sinks quvering
to the grass, while group of ladies' who have
been trying their skill at the exciting game of
nine-pins, rush forward, with flushed cheeks and
sparkling eyes, eager TO learn what has oc-
casioned the sudden silence. They are greeted
with but one word-The mail! The mail re-
peated everywhere, with an accent of JOY thai
bespeaks the interest they feel in its arrival.
The arrival of the mail, in the country, j:
always the great event of the day but nowher,
does il produce such sensation az at watering
P'aSS-iot tneIc are LHttHbeIS vi lahiiltS uci'
whose pulses answer to every beat of the hear
at home. 1t is the herald of all news, foreign
and domestic and the medium of all the goo,
and evil tidings to those who are thirsting for
word of news from home.
The distinguished Hungarian heroine, APPoL
LoSIA LGFLLo, is among the late arrivals at oul
house. Her beautiful self-sacrifcing devotion
to bleeding Hungary, has won for her the SYM
patbv Of every true American. Her FACET
the finest expression of benignity has anything
TO do with beauty-may surely be called beau
tiful in the highest degree. In repose, you
would pronounce it remarkable in the glow of
animated conversation, beautiful
| The first ball of the season is to be given this
evening, and all the visitors are in pleasant cx-
pectaton, for the courteous proprietors are con-
stanily inventing some novelties, which are GER
tain to surprise and delight their guests
| We have bellies from different sections of the
country-two dark-eyed Philadelphians, grace
fol, delicate, and piritaeile as, SHAKspEARE's
Ariel in the Tempest, with soft eyes, and hair
the shade of the bird that sat over PoE's cham
ber-door; and so luxuriant too, that combs and
pins can scarcely check its wanderings.
Among the guests from Washington, we may
mention DIR. BAILEY, the accomplished editor of
the National Era, and family, with Mrs. Souri,
WORTH, the authosess.
Mr.. FILLMORE has accepted the inyitation of
the proprietor, an will visit Shaunondae some
time after the 25th of July
! The AUGUsT ELEcTIoNs Elections will take
place in the States Of Kentucky, Indiana, Ala.
bama, Arkansas, MISSOURI Illinois and Iowa, on
the ath OF August, and in North Carolina and
Tennessee, on the 7h Of August Kentucky
is to choose Governor, Lieutenant Governor
Legislature and ten members of Congress. Ia
diana has likewise TO choose ten members %
Congress. The election in Alabama is for Gov
ernor, Legislature, and seven members Of Cor
gress. In Arkansas member of Congress is /,
be elected. Missouri, Illinois ard iowa hav
already chosen their Congressional delegations
This year they have simply 10 elect local am
Judicial officer North Carolina will choose min
members of Congress. In Tennessee, the cleo
ton Is for Governor, Legislature, and clever
members Of Congress- Sun.
GREAT FRrsHET Nv THE JUNIArA--W
Ienrn from passengers over the Susquehann