The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1853-03-26
For The Cecil lTaig.
'CalatiluMpians.'

Mn. EDIToR:-Wc often hear the remay k
that ne live in an age Of Improvement, an age
OF Ight and knnwIedg e-ln which art. science
, aud christianity have made bold strides IN the
| march OF prOgreSsiOn-and II seems genera lly
acc"ded that the two have encircled the present
with II halo OF brightness and glory, that has
crowned no period IN the annals Of the past,
but is there moi possibility that while we
stand on the high emlnencc, behold the beauties
| that surround us, and bask in the meridian
| sp!endor of our boaSled improvements that
! that there should exist some usages, which if
| thoroughly invest gated, would appear as uesti-
| Ses Of hnbarism!
As one such thing, shall bring to view a
| practice which has existed in this and adjoining
counties, both in this and other States--lo what
| greater distance il extends your correspondent
| is not informed. refer to Serenuding. sDcar
me eXclaims one--iS that what you intend 10
| hold up as obnoxious? Why .Serenadinss'
can: be Objectionable! In ancient mythology
.'Siten was reputed a goddess who enlced BY
the charms of music;'' hence serenadiny must
be the performance OF charming muslc--and
music is defined TO be the ''harmony of sweet
sounds" and no one dares 10 contradict the
sentiment long since advanced,
"That music hath charms to soothe The saya &c
BEAST
| With Serenades of such music as is alluded Ia
we have now nothing to do, nor with that of
| the lover who in the Silly night when heavens
| blue arch is bespangled with stars and the pure
| dew-drop sparkles in the moonlight seeks prox
! unity to Il particular domicil and with chasten
| ed sentiment, pourS forth n strain of sweet and
| melting melody. Any attempt to interrupt that
| hour might be regarded us bordering on sacii-
| legc. But Il is 'serenading' performed BY what
| is known by the title OF ''Junor'' or Calathum.
plan bands, which we wish to present in its true
colors. Doubtless few in this county are isno-
rant of its character--all know that the "har.
mony Of street sounds" is the most remote from
the end sought, for in the selection of instru-
ments, heavy levy is make on kitchen iurni-
ture, together with bells, horns, drums, and
whatever will make the loudest and most disa
| greeuble noise, and the browning instrument,
ian improvement of rather recent date,) the
| Horse Fiddle" With this heterogeneous
| collection of Instruments the serenaders sally
! forth. The Minister has pronounced the couple
''no more twain but one ilesh"--lhc friends are
rejoicing IN the happy union, and pouring forth
warm congratulations and bleSsingS--every eve
| sparkles with animation, every countenance
| beams with unusual brightness, every heart
| 'htillS with emotions OF dellght--and the merry
laugh rings gladly out, but there is too much
Of happiness in that circle not TO suffer some
| alloy. Hark! listen. stiffness ensues. The
merry laugh is hushed, the lively and animated
iefc tetc ceases--lhe sounds without are more
distinctly heard, the silence is broken; an ey
clamalion iIom numerous voices--"the ser.
ders."
Some of the company aiec: t" laash, other.
mark-"they wont lire fun,,-shnt a,n;
the CONJUNCTION is heard a voice in serious tones mes
(sh""'ng The sent'men. comes from the heart !
"Ns really too bad;". another, eounlIv .n,-ost