The Daily Nashville true Whig. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1851-1855, 1855-08-18
SATURDAY MORNING. AUG. IS, '5S
A plea for Country Residences and Rural
Recreation.

$3.50
Recreation.
The intense heat Of each succeeding mid
summer disposes many of our citizens to seek
relief in a transient visit 10 some of the many
attractive watering places with which our
picturesque country sbOunds, or in trip %
the mountains or ses-shore. Refreshing as
these undoubtedly are, after the turmoil and
butte of an active business season amid the
pent up confines of crowded city, we are of
ten led to question whether the benefits to be
derived from hurried trips TO thronged resorsts
can be a. all IMPAIRED, as respects permanent
sanative value, to the advantages TO be derived
from neat and comfortable country residence
within easy distance of the city, improved
according to the means and taste of the pro-
prietor, and occupied permanently, or only as
a summer retreat, as circumstances may sug.
gest or dictate.
Every variety Of rural improvement, from
tie plain, neat cottage, surrounded with lawn
and shrubbery, 10 the substantial farm house,
or more elaborate and artistic edifce, with
mead w and grove, woodland and cultivated
utlls ~ IlbTc VI AiiA llSoS'iib ~
TO the eye of cultivated taste. Tho compare
tive independence, invgorating exercise, and
grateful rep ,se, incident to rural occupations,
have ever strongly recommended them, either
as recreation or daily pursuit, to a great
majority of those who are able to choose their
own occupations; and there are comparatively
few men who have not, at some period OF life,
fondly contemplated the culture of the soil IS
their settled vocation. It carries with 1t
grateful pride of conscious usefulness, aud con-
fers proportionste degree Of abiding, manly
happiness. And as q source Of pure and ra-
tional pleasure, there is nothing more crafty
ing TO the eye of taste, than the suburban
villa, standing in the midst of neat green
laws, where groups of shrubbery and ever
greens, artistically disposed, are mingled with
choice psrterres of flowers, and backed by in
terspaces Of shadowy boscsge, through which
Is dinly revealed the devious windings OF
woodland walks, now leading TO some secluded /
arbor, and now following the wilful course of
q murmurng stream.
"1he passion for the purer pleasures OF
country life lit is aptly said) increases as one
grows older; for il is only when we have be-
come stated with business, and are worn down |
BY too frequent collision with worldly people,
that the natural instincts assume once more
their early power, and revive in us longing
90 gather violeis and psnsies from the sun
aecked banks IF sequestered lanes, and to listen
with the old childish delight, TO the knocking !
binds song, or the iinklng music of n rock
encountered brook" And then the genial ex
ercise which the garden or dairy almost ire
sislibly invites from every good housewife, n
parts 10 the muscles and nerves of the delicate
female firmer tension, giving more elastic,
calmly step, healthier glow to the cheek,
more cheerful department, and a brighter
twinkle to the love,speaking, love-insplrihg
eye. Nor are the benefits accruing to the ju-
venile members of the family of trivial or tran
sient importance. Free air and abundant ex-
ercise are the best and surest means of secu-
ring 10 them that first and greatest Of natures
blessings, "a sound mind in sound body
and the former is never possessed in its full
native perfection and vigor without the latter.
Most of these pleasures and advantages may
be embraced within the compass of a few
acres; and nowhere can there be found stu
atoms better adapted for delightful rural resi-.
dences, either permanent or temporary, than
in the vicinity of our own beautiful city. Our
numerous turnpikes make it easy of access
from every direction. The picturesque vari-
ETY. of hill and dale, woodland, field, and rip
ling Lrook, either adjacent to or emote from
the crowded thoroughiare, offer sites adapted
and the votary of seclusion. Taking life
time for the term of calculation, economy,
as well Ms pure aud rational enjoyment, will
prompt all who have the means, to possess
them while they may.