The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-12

From the Charleston Courier, March Is
/" II was home. And though home is name word,
it is strong one; stronger than magician spoke,
or spirit answered to- in strongest conjuration!'-
Dickens
1t is good occupation for planter, for several
mornings after temporary absence, to examine
all that has been going on on the plantation, since
his last visit, and to hear the improvements and
plans contemplated for another crop. The kitchen
garden-the flour garden-the pigeons--the poul-
try-the csttle-thc dogs, and the stables, are all
delightful objects i'll their way, to be visited and
examined. The barn yard. however, with its stacks
Of rice, the harvest OF the year, is the principal
traction; "where our treasure Is, there will our
heart be also
As to the manner in which generally "time is
killed in the country, one day may serve as an
epitome of the whole.
In the morning the bell rings to prayers and to
breakfast. Though we have never partakcn of this
meal in such an establishment We have read of,
As having once existed in the old world, where there
were two hundred silver teapots for the breakfasts
Of the guests Of the house; with everything to cor
respond in splcndor. and where even the kitchen
was so msgnlhcently furnished that every saucepan
was silver, and all the splits were gold-yet, coun-
try breakfast in a comparatively humble establish
ment, in Carolina, is very satisfactory repast Mt
all times, and cannot, in our unsophislicated judg
ment. very well be exceeded in quantity or quality
anywhere.
After the urn or the kettle has done singing, and
the usual quantity of wafcs. and journey cakes,
USUALLY pronounced " Johnny cakes and other
edibles of domestic manufacture, have been con-
sumed, the ladies adjourn TO the drawing room, and
pass their time in those calm pursuits and amusc-
ments which satisfy the good wives and daughters Of
county gentlemen-they practise on the piano
guitar, play chess, battledoor, and shuttlecock
copy music, or write verses in albums; some will
sew, perhaps, whilst one Of the party will read to
them. After WHILE they put on their thick shoes,
and walk in the garden, or up the avenue, out Of
the big gate into the public road; or, il may be,
dawdle about in the direction of the negro houses,
asking after the rheumatism of some old fayorite
servant, and ordering soup, or some other eomfoI,
for the sick. This routine Is varied by ride
horseback or u drive.
Ii Is with these SIM le amusem ents that the ladies'
Of Carolina country house, while away the leisure
moments OF the morning, innocently and happily
While the young gentlemen, who compose the house
hold, Of q less domestic turn, prefer to hunt deer
to fish, or to shoot cartridges, snpc or woodcock.
Hardly does day pass, but there Is visiting GO
ing on In one direction or another, and carriages
may constantly be seen, going up and down the
avenue. Dinners are rartakcn of, and visits re-
turned in all sorts Of weather, and at all distances
and though many, peradventure, do not exactly
care about these interchanges, and not, per-
haf- social by nature, yet II - the habit OF the
country to be sociable-to be friendly and hospits
BILE il incumbent on the station of a Carolina plan
ter. The Scripture injunction, use hospitality, one
towards another, verify seems not to have been lost
uIon him
ON Christmas day n great family reunion, or
gathering, always takes place-all the different
branches If the same family come to dine with the
parent stem-throwing their arms. aud twnng, as
" were, on fnat hoydaN. once more around the OH
trunk, from which they sprung. This is always u
charming spectacle.
We shall have something more to say, probably
Of this merry-making period, in another portion OF
these sketches.
There generally, in every parish in the coun-
try, regular hunting days in the week, when the
ncighboring gentry meet, a club, 10 enjoy the
sport. II T. an animatng sight to see the hun,s-
men. on the morning Il the hunting days, immedi-
ately after breakfast. coming up the avenue, well
mounted. clad in red jackets, (ths is the color Of
the livery agreed upon by the members Of DC club,
% be worn by the boys in the vicinity Am
writing about.) followed by the dogs In q compact
body. The hunters. or rather young men, are
generally doring riders rushing through the woods
TO stop the dogs with wonderful nerve, and possess
ing marvellous dexterity in king their whips
loudly and casting the lash at the end Of their
long heavy thongs with great precision ut any
headstrong dog. who will not stop when called to-
~ Who ventures, like III bred cur stray from
bis fellows in the pack, or 10 take the slightest
ticc 81 fox, wild cat, a skunk. or any such
small DEER that happens lately to have made
tracks that way, for
we may break, We may ruin thc vase five will.
li,i The scent n the will hang round " till
Tho gentlemen Of the hunt collect. the day
grows older, with Over-alls above the knee, Ito
protect them from mud and cold) and armed with
double barrcled guns, Joe Manton's generally,
which were imported by their fathers, and did good
service IN their hands: carry extra shot IN the
locker, IN what i called pocket pistol-some drive
- The place APPOINTED for the meet, q don't
mean where they are TO get the meat, but whore
they are a. meet) in vehicles, their servants with
saddle horses having either logged on before, or
uo,tcd up behind.
When the party assemblies, though IL may be soon
after breakfast, refreshment " generally offered
ard have known some 10 dsmount and take u
drink, but il is ofener declined now, no longer