Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-12-30


invite from them on Christmas day, and we
answered the call by our presence. After
" dragging our slow length" to the place desig-
mated. we were ushered into the very depth of
Christmas feeling and social joity; shame jog
ged our hearts, that we had not responded to
to the call with more alacrity, that we had graz
ced or dsgraced the party by our presence with
some reluctance. We must make use of that
old adage, worn threadbare ages since, for il is
perfectly apropos, here was the " feast of rea-
son and flow of SOUL" and such flow of soul
is not often witnessed in Grand Haven. "Walk
in, pass along, we are happy to see YOU" was
the greeting from all quarters, and felt, yes we
will confess more at home than in the midst of
type, exchanges &c. In our opinion it was a
" jam" in earnest, as we passed from room to
room through and among the crowd, every coun-
tenance wore the expression of that best omen
of Christmas bounties, full of mirth and good
cheer. Happiness was everywhere depicted
Here were gathered all ages, from the matron
(not aged however, for we have none such in
our little community, to the infant in the arms
of its mother, yet to speak forth its enjoyment.
All felt young and seemed to enjoy childhoods
scenes anew. We will not attempt descrip-
ton Of that load upon the table, spread for our
comfort, or the extreme beauty of the arrange
ment. 1t was the gatherings of the ladies of
the village, and they term it a "Picnic" We
should think they had picked the world over,
or otherwise they could not have obtained such
variety. We should much rather attempt to
recount what was mol procured that was wanted
to please the fancy in arrangement or suit the
palate of humanity. What q sight for an cpl
cure we think it was well for his guests our
editor could not be persuaded to just look in,
before that mass of happiness was permitted to
destroy its beauty, for the calls and wishes Of
his customers we fear would have been of
small moment in his estimation, with this stock
of mental and physical enjoyment about to be
engaged in.
This proved but the commencement of our
enjoyment for the evening. We were asked to
take a peep into room hitherto unopened we
entered little expecting some joke at our ex-
pense, as we had heard merry voices from with
in. Feeling we deserved a small allowance of
modification, we entered in A more beautiful
sight is. rarely seen; a host of children of both
sexes, dressed in their holiday attire, arranged
in perfect order around the room but little va
the children of Grand Haven. Their cup of
happiness was full; yes, brimfull and running
over, and they were wading in the exuberance
of their enjoyment We could but exclaim
mentally, here is surely wreath of roses-here
are the buds of promise-here are the fresh,
green leaves of society, giving out heathful
fragrance to the moral atmosphere, and light
ing up the darkness with innocence and purity
Here is happiness seeded out and being scat
tered broadcast to bring forth harvest of
pleasant thoughts and happy reflections in after
life, being rooted in the soil of childhood's hap
piness, and nourished by the fostering hand of
indulgence, judiciously bestowed
Time passed rapidly, and ere we were aware
that last long hour of evening was near at hand
and we took our leave of the family and what
few remained; and sought our-must We say,
dreary retreat fully satisfied and amply repaid
with the pleasures of which we had been the
participants of this "merry Christmas" fresh
in mind. We would not forget to mention that
Christmas tree, loaded with gifts and good wish
es, awaiting distribution by some fair hand
among the host of applicants. We have some
reason to doubt whether tree ever yielded
much greater variety, or the fruit thereof, pos
sess more efiicacious qualities, even in days Of
yore The members of the Retreat" we are
happy to say, received their full share Of the
honors conferred, and we should not be sur
prised if these beautiful mementos would some
time adorn-oh no! not our cherries " Re-
treat" but the centre table of comfortably
furnished parlor Of our o,on. The ladies sure
ly deserve much credit for the elegance and
richness of this feast, and did we not know it
was stepping beyond our province, and imposing
upon the best of dispositions, we should be in
clined to screw up a little courage and whisper
secretly, encore.
Ladies--you have our thanks, in behalf of
ourselves and the other members of the Re-
treat" and we will assure you, our thanks are
not as heartlesS as some imagine. We are sor-
ry our editor was compelled to act the Boniface