New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-06-20
BUCOLTC.


Caninus syicas says Virgil, and though a
long way behind the old Mantuan, as well in
fame as in time, canimus syipas say we. Nor
shall our praises be confined to the forests, but
take in also and comprehend green meadows,
beautiful valleys, gentle hills. brooks, breezes
and whatever appertains to country life and
scenery. In this hot weather we long for the
open fields and free air for the shade of mighty
trees, and the waving of tall grass; for jump
into the cool water-for a careless seat on the
green sward. Imagination Of the pleasures we
might enjoy heightens the discomforts we are
compelled to endure. In fancy we wander
through great fields of clover, knee deep climb
over hedges lined with berries; shoot through
jungles filled with game; angle in waters
Astounding with fish, drink new milk, eat fresh
cheese, and enjoy our luxurious leisure with
book and cigars-recubans sub tegmine fds'
In fact, we roll through restless nights and work
through wearisome days. The great iidiess eye
of the sun glares in at our windows warns the
brick and mortar which incases us, heats the
tagging of the sidewalks, and draws out perspi-
ration in torrents. Every one is uncomfortable
and every one is complaining The breezes
don't blow, and we realize the tortures of Saba
ra. There is no moisture in the baked EARTH
no verdure in the blazing brick walls, no COM
fort in doors and still less out.
To enhance the strong feelings of discomfort
which these contrasts produce, we have, not
only our own pleasant memories of past sum
mers spent in the country, but we have visits
from friends who have been and are going-ex-
changes teeming with thanks for big beets and
carrots-for cool rides in the evening and pleas
ant walks in the morning-and, what is worse
than all, we have letters inviting us to come
and enjoy all these things, We are told Of de-
lightful boat rides, of pic-nics, parties, sere-
nades and frtations of the growing verdure of
the fields, of the fragrance of the flowers, the
melody of the birds, and the cool comfort to be
taken under the big oaks and olden magnolias
All who would not live in the country if they
could-enjoy the exhilarating effects of an at
mosphere teeming with the wealth of rifed
roses; watch the tender shoots in their growth
from immaturity to ripeness; wander through
droves of big cattle, luxuriousy idle; lie in the
shade of trees as oracular as the oaks Of Dodona
and as beautiful as the pines of Mount ida be-
hold the long lines Of light quivering in the far
away foliage, and either study, labor or repose,
as inclination may direct. There are some for
tunate mortals to whom it is given to enjoy all
these blessings, and there are others who may
enjoy them through portion of the year. Yes,
and alas there are others, who, as wistful for
the comforts, the quiet and the repose Of the
country as any of them-as much attached tC
trees and brooks, and birds and flowers, as their
most noisy worshippers-are fated to the prison
life of cities and the eternal endurance of brick
and mortar.
The pride and poetry of city exists during
the winter. Theatres, balls, parties, coy din
ners, and comfortable evening calls, when the
air is chilly and nipping, are very endurable
and pleasant; but all the true enjoyments of g
dozen seasons cannot equal or approximate to
that of a single week in the country. There is
an expansive, genial, kindly influence ont
among the works of Nature that makes the heart
grow as well as the body, and cultiyates and
improves the intellectual as well as the corpo-
real system Conyentionalities are, for the
the time, forgotten, and one feels at liberty to
seek enjoyment IS he sees fit. Commend us
to the pleasures of an old plantation, or the de-
lights of a home by the sea-shore. Every en-
comium that has ever been written in their
favor we cordially endorse, and trust that there
may be in our future some white days freighted
with the quiet sense of happiness they inspire
The emptiness of our city proves the truth oil
our remarks Old and young, men, women and
children, whoever could afford or arrange a
summer excursion are already off; some enjoy
ing the breezes of the Gulf, others tarrying in
New England, and still others travelling up the
Rhone or posting toward the Dneiper In i'm
agination we follow them all, share their plea
sures and partake their joys. In fact, We sit
here, chained like galley slave, trying to utter
those praises which the heat and perspiration
will not allow us. May all the absent return
with the frost, and may the next season be ours
General Pierce may not have been able to
please the wing papers, but he will satisfy and