Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-07-14
CurrsspOmbemte. o.

HARMONY ACADEMY, June zoln, o9.
FRIEND GooDwIN:-I will give yon
a sketch Of q grand Picnic which came
off in this immediate vicinity, few
days ago. i. will illustrate some Of
the differences of costoms and relig-
ious sentiment, between Kentucky
community, and one on the Northern
side of the timely rolling Ohio."--
Ii you have no CONSCIENTIOUS scruples,
you may publish it, and perhaps it
may lead to some valuable moral re-
flecIions.
1t was held in large and beautiful
grove, nicely set with blue grass,
which was pastured off closely and
evenly The location was nearly
equally distantfrom four county towns;
Danville. Harrodsburg. Nicolasville
and Lancaster, being from 9 to t2
miles from each. These did not fail
to furnish their proportion of those
who enjoyed the entertainment, wheth-
er they did of hose who fitted it up,
or not. Besides those, others from
places less distant were there, and a
large proportion of the population of
the neighborhood also, including old
aud young; grave and gay; fathers
and sons; grandmothers and grand
daughters; those whose heads were
silvered o'er with age" / will not
add that .'long experience had made
them sage" and those with auburn
locks; the judge from the bench, and
unofficial citizen; the merchant, the
lawyer. and the doctor; the plain farm
er and the ostentatious dandy; the
"beloycd people" and the candidates
seeking their votes; Presbyterians,
Methodists, Reformers and Baptists;
ruling elders and lay members; and
even the schooltsacher and his pupils.
The number present was probably
not less than 500, including about rs
OF the "colo'd population" This
was more Of the latter than | have
seen at all the meetings tha, | have
attended since | came, except the
"May show And what Is the May
show do you ask7 Well. it is a
certain annual big meeting held here,
generally in the month OF May, at
which it is understood that all the
young ladies will appear and exhibit
all their fine costly articles purchased
for spring and summer wear, especial-
ly their bonuets and dresses. To hear
the sermon is scarcely taken into con-
siderauon. This meeting IS rs famil-
iarly known and gravely spoken Of by
the ahCvc name as any other. and is
very largely attended, especially by
young people. We may see then ey-
cry year in Indiana and Ohio, want
ing in nothing but the name.
Their tables extended to the length
Of i6o feet, and were said TO have
been most magni6cienlly and profuse-
ly furnishcu. This was the opinion OF
OF others, for l did not 80 until %
o'clock, at which time its magnif-
cien:e WAS very much lessened, az
may be Judged from che fact that not
an eatabIe was left on it. Those who
partook said, that more was carried
away by the guests than was eaten.
But the great attraction TO the
crowd was the dancing. Three large
platforms were erected for this exrr-
else. all OF which were occupied al
most continuously all day, at least
from or 10 o'clock in the morning
ill near 6 in the evening, except du
ring n recess for dinner. They had
two iidiles aud q banjo, aud several
players who took turns so rs to keep
them moving. They had u band ol
music also, but their services were
little called for. as 1--WE minutes to list,
en- TO Il tune WAS thought to great an
interruption by those tripping it ou
the light fantastic toe. )" II mattered
not, however, Us they came all the way
from Lancaster without charging any
thing. Ifithad been u FourIhof Ju.
ly. or Sunday School, or some Other
such dull celebration, they would nc
doubt h I'VE demanded round sun
for their services.
Some OF the young ladies dances
almost or quite every 'set" during th'
whole day. and then said they wer'
not tired. The same physical exer
ton would have carried them % miles
whereas. il they had undertaken I,
walk one mile TO church. they woul'
have tainted from sheer exhaustion
and have fallen into the waiting arm
Of their gallant bcaux, oh! then,a whu
Mysteries would have followed, whe
they 'came to- aud discovered thei