The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-05-10
PenciIlings in Washington.
~ BY MARY J. wiNpLE.

l
began to float near the horizon. First it was white
as snow, and no larger than the wing of bird ;
then its base became faint slate color; then it
! gradually enlarged and darkencd, and rose up
like tall castle, with giant pillars and leaning
turrets. Big drops came splashng down faster
and faster, till they at length fell in eheeted rain
AS evening approached, many childish face, we
| doubt not, was wstfully turned towards the dark.
ening horizon. But the rain continued. though
its violence subsidized; SO that holiday dresses we're
donned without much dread lest they should be
spoiled
jackson Hall-the scene Of the festivaI-was
garlanded and adorned with such profuson of
flowers a. to have the appearance of being fit for
the occupation only of those sylvan nymphs who
were 30 abundant in the days of yore or for those
fairy elves who crouch within the lids of sleepins
MOVERS The vernal throne erected for the coro.
nation rites was almost hidden in leaves Laurel
branches, as graceful as STOPPING seraphims formed
the radl OF the lattice work; the supporters of the
platform lifted to its floor long slender lines of
Jessamlne; while from the ceiling hung such rich
festoons of daffodils, that kneeling before it
might, without any great effort Of the magma
ton, have been mistaken for voiary of Flora.
At O'Clock long train of youthful forms, each
garlanded with trimming of flowers, entered the
hall, marching with due dignity and elaboration
up the spacious apartment to the coronation bower
W hat rosy ranks ofchildish loneliness! WHY there
was material there for book of beauty in as many
volumes as there are novels of Mr.. James. Lead
ing this bright array appeared Miss G., the queen
Of the festival, who had been elected by the unani
mous voice of her companions to the honors of the
occasion. She is just verging what gentlemen
call sweet SIXTEEN" nd locked indeed like the
royal bride OF spring in her white dress and reg
blossoms, while sweeter and airer than those bios
SONS were the roses of youth and health made
brighter by excitement that boomed upon her
cheek.
The petite "crown bearer Ella NJ, was a special
attraction; lovely child of six years, with large
soft eyes, and fair hair which fell in light waves
| rather than curls, nearly to her waist; her
male companion, the "scepre bearer" plump
Laughing uTchin' seemed fully to appreciate the
artess sweetness of his little friend. Oh! if YOU
could have seen her sitting at the feet of her sna-
jesty," one bare arm dimpling the dark velvet
| cushion upon which the crown had reposed while
the tips OF he. tiny fingers found an agreeable
resting place upon the soft coloring of her cheek
as with demure face che lifted her confidng eyes
to his.
Before the party broke up we witnessed in the
Gioak'ng room the assduous devotion of this same
little crown-bearcr's companion. He smoothed
back her glossy clustering curls, tied the strings
under her dimpled chin, and then attempted to
kiss the sweet smiling mouth; but the little CO.
her eyes and put her dimpled hand upon her lips:
but the laughing boy stole the kiss from her cheek
nevertheless, evlnclng a perseverance which
bearded children do not disdain to initiate.
The ceremony of the coronation was performed
by one of the girlish throng, who encirced the
brow OF her "royal hghness" with crown of
white rose-buds. As the words .'Hai to your
tiowery throne" fell upon the ear, Mics G. grace.
fully arose. and, with dignity BETTING the occa.
| sion. took the scat provided for her.
Some people are born to wear crown, no doubt;
but why such things happen on thi. side of the
Atlantic, where plain, simple, republican blood
a M q uod IN
ginc. Yet that such things do actually occur here
we are certain, and so would you be- dear reader,
II you had seen her regal dignity she upon
her throne with erected head and queenke figure.
! surrounded by subjects as loyal as any sovereign
would care to reign over.
We observed certain curly headed, black. eyed
lad pass his fingers through his hair and elevate
head and shoulders after a very manly fashion, as
though silently resolved not to be afraid of any
thing though appearing in the shape of May
Queen.
The entrance and coronation was simple, heart
touching scene; to be preserved when all the bright
untwised garlands of the evening should be with.
cred; when that last tribute, chaplet bound by
cypress leaves, should be lain upon each bier.
For ourselves, it carried back into the past
and shadowy remnscence of the earlier days of
our own summer came creeping over our mind
Yes, 1t was in one of those quiet country seats
which the pleasantest spots in Delaware tina
We had won and worn our laurels as May Queen
All again see the gathering groups of children
upon the velvet lawn, in the "ambrosial darkness
OF broad branching elms % can yet feel the warm
sunshine Of that quiet day. l. chiefest of ALL sa.
luted as passed, by the homage of their admrine
chances The rural throne almost hidden in leaves
and flowers over which the trees arched, and
which they walled with green.
We hear still sounding the girsh voices that
sang gaily and festally that day; and how shall
we forget the exquisite delight and excitement
with which we received the coronel of flowers!
honors, we did not envy Victo, ia, nor believe that
sweeter triumph was ever won. That soft
country May day and the focus of a hundred
g1rilsh eyes-that ia a picture to which we yearn
The memory of that day makes Nav in our
mind forever. -.
The queenly ceremonies were followed by an
air from the band of the richest and most inspiring
harmony. The music swelled in those long deli
cious chords which imparadise the moment and
make life all poetry. The melodious notes were
the signal for dancing to commence, and soon the
young masters and misses were bounding away
in those fancy dances in which their accomplished
teacher excels.
1t was scene of enchantment to zee those
blooming children, buoyant skyarks frolic-
some as young colts, and graceful and mis- :hiev-
Gus as kittens, running, bounding and gliding
through the dance, revelng in all the JOY of mo.
tion-their locks of every shade, from the faint
raly-goid to the purPlish or raven. black, flowing
free as the wind; their cheeks wearing every tint,
from the soft flush of the wild rose, to the rich
crimson of the damask, all glowing from exercise,
and every movement elastic and spontaneous as
Master b of Capitol Hill, handsome, graceful
boy in polka costume, appeared, whirling round
to that bewitching tune, little gipsy, looking
girl with wild locks the shade of the bird that sat
over Poe's chamber door,
These were followed by Miss B., who made her
appearance in costume with castanets, and went
through this elaborate dance in style of artistic
elegance rarely excelled.
''La Cracovenne'' was exquisitey danced BY the
veriest sunbeam that ever gladdenea the weary
world with beauty and with light. You would
hardly have wondered as she glided through the
figures, with the step of fawn and the glance of
STAR" to have seen fresh flowers spring sudden
ly up in the way
wherever on the happy earth
Those fairy footsteps FELL"
To the many she ia merely an impnlsiye charming
child; but those who lift the veil that shrouda the
temple OF her little heart will see gimpses of the
Shekinoh." whose rays will burn with a radiance
the most intense in after life 1t s written on that
shrinking and blushing face:
Dancing! oh. love, love to see
The motion light of any thing that's free!
Inc bird mounts upward on exuting wing,
Ihe brook leaps laughing from it's or ystal spring
| The wind, the sunbeam, and cen boary ocean,
Play round the world with graceful motion.
Through yielding air the graceful eagle springs,
Yet aims he higher than to show his wings.
| The brook that sings and dances on its way,
Spreads round Its course rich flowers and har-
vests gay;
| Fen angels robs themselves in heavenly dyes,
| And FIJI ri