Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-01-04


The Tree was deeply tinged pine. Recoil!
not gentle reader at the idea of pine being
beautiful. Associated as il is with dismal depths
of wild forests, in the Stiffness of which the
ringing axe, measureless in it's battle notes,
is fast strewing the earth with the havoc of its
victories the transportation of timber its met
amorphosis by art into all the untold ramifca-
tons of mechanical and commercial strife, is on
ly one phase Of its life; and It's hardly wonder
full that the practical eye should look upon this
feature of its history and exclaim: What else
can you expect but pine sawlogs amongst the
residents of barren pinery" But there is an
other view of its scenery as Enthusiastically
romantic as crumbling walls; clinging tendrils
craggy precipices; and oriental groves; whose
haiIowed spots are rife with classical Knight
Errantry.
No mystic mazes under the languishing air of
F" Italys fair Cline" with water nymphs of fairy
tale, conspire to weave marvellous inyestiture
for our delight.
We present simple plant, Of natures own
rearing; plucked from the pure atmosphere of
a wild forest, by hands of girsh innocence, to
nestle, and flourish, amid the glancing sunshine
of smiling faces. Could you have beheld that
pine, with its branches pendant with all that is
ingenious lovely in womans handiwork; the
base of the Tree lit up with a circle Of lights,
mingling shadows of foliage with forms of liv-
ing beauty, that tread around enchanted with its
loneliness; no CIRcEAN draught would have
been requisite to transform you into an admi-
rer of an Ottawanian pinery.
Stronger proof could not be afforded Of the
intimate relation existing between the real and
fanciful, than the ease with which the ideal and
its imagery yielded to the sensual and its era
wings, as throngs moved along to crafty their
appetites, over delicious edibles covering the ia.
bles Of the dining hall. And here | need not
attempt description of the variety of choice
bits which were so profusely scattered, for nu-
merous and delicate were the dishes, as to fiat
ter the most fastidous; from substantial turkey
down to oysters and volatile flummery. With
a keen sense of the tendency Of human fraity,
under feast so beautifully enjoyed, heads and
hearts met to intercept every sluggish propen-
sty, and ere long universal melee of play and
merrment rung the walls with echoes Of gencr-
al delight.
Who does not enjoy such intervals of guile
less JOY and restlesss glee, where all ranks and
grades commingle their voices in an unrestrain-
ed reyelry of play?
Hearts long sealed to their own musings
families bound together by the ties Of unobtru-
sive repose; sectional circles wrapped up in the
exclusive imagery of their worth then cast off
their respective restraints and stand co-equal in
a common household of reciprocal harmony;
the advanced and dignifed meet the young and
hayward upon midway platform of regard
the matron Of years kindles over the scenes of
her youth now passing before her; while all vie
in the interchange Of sentiment to inspire mu-
tual confidence and esteem. The false modesty
of the day, that glides along with curling lip
and blushing 6isdain, here breaks the spell of an
hour in slipping the lesson that humanity has
not altogether forgotten its claim to native truth
and nobleness Of heart. Such occasional out
bursts expand the soul; iufusing it with a ge-
NAL element that will sooner or later overflow
its pent up boundaries, and send the social vir.
tues ripping over the moral periphery of the
age.
All caught the inspiration of the hour and at
tuned their hearts to mirth and gaiety till sat-
ated with its luxury, sought the melody of mu-
sic to harmonic their joys None lost sight of
the leading object of the gathering but with
the diffusve current of good cheer, opened also
channels of genuine benevolence.
There was nothing apparent akin to that vein
which marked the least erected spirit that fell
from Heaven, whose
Looks and thoughts
Were always downward bent, admiring more
The riches of Heavens pavement, trodden gold,
Than aught divine, or holy, else enjoyed"
But each endeavorcd to further some plan by
which the pecuniary deposits of the evening
might equal the munfcence Of the occasion.
Tables were spread upon which the gentler sex
had traced their workmanship which, with arti-
cles ornamenting the Christmas Tree, were sold
at the hands of trio of lovely faces. There
were no gatherings" of trade TO be heard, but
such musical bargains as beguiled the purchaser
until he woke from his reverfes, at the quick
succession of spiritual tat tat tats reproving
he thought that "pounds Of flesh" or ruthless
\ - Al L.~a g l..