The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-11-09
SOMETHING ABOUT THE FAIR.
FROM AN OLD CORRESPONDENT.
VSoxvur Nov IoE

East Tennessee Agricultural Society" closed
on Friday last, and although Ihave no request
from you to do SO, have determined to write
you letter, having for it's object, not a de-
tailed and formal account Of the sayings and
doings of this interesting occasion, but simply
dish Of gossip" about the Fair and matters
and things Herewith connected. Those of
your readers who desire to see a 'full, true
| and particular account" of the affair, with
the official list of the various premiums
awarded, will, doubtless, find the same in the
Forthcoming numbers of the venerable "Regis-
ter" and its more youthful contemporary,
the "Whig"-and, not to be invidious, the
STANDARD" (of Democracy which is ever on
the alert for spicy and interesting items where
with to regale its readers, who, for the honor
of "the party" in East Tennessee, ought to be
more numerous than they are By the-way,
is it not a singular fact that since the de.
parture of Eastman from Knoxville, the De
mocracy have never been able, worthily, to
support a paper in the metropolis of East
Tennessee 1t would seem that in the Gibral-
ter of (ancent) Whiggery they should exert
themselves to maintain at least one efficient
battery. Speaking of Eastman, may he not
with much propriety congratulate himself
upon the recent triumph of Gov Johnsoni-
To his effolts, more than to any other cause,
believe is tue result of the late election at
| tributable 1t is so much the more to his
credit that few. even of those who voted for
his man, had any great personal love for that
distinguished parsonage. But am wander
ing from the subject.
The "Fair" opened on Tuesday with a
goodly attendance, which, though not SO
large as on the first day of last years exhibit
tion, was still considerable and "highly re-
spectacle" The numbers increased daily, so
that on Friday think the crowd was fully as
great as at any former period-and l feel GER
tain that the number, variety and quality of
the articles on exhibition far exceeded those
Of last year. In one department 1t was the
universalimpresson that East Tennessee could
never be approached, much less beaten. It
is to be regretted that no premium was offer
ed for articles Of this class | allude to that
of 'gly or hard favored people. You are not
to understand, however that such was the
general character Of the individuals com.
Prifng the crowd. On the contrary stran-
ger would have been forcibly impressed with
the great number Of fine looking men and
emnently beautiful women who made up the
bulk of the assemblage. Nor do | consider
that am doing any injustice to this, "my
own, my native land, +" in thus alluding to the
display homeii,sss exhibited during the four
days Of the memorable occasion. The speci-
mems, ought to say, were few, and only
served to esemPlify the exceeding fruitfulness
OF our soil in every variety Of product which
the generous earth yields to the persevering
industry Of man!
Not the least interesting among the articles
on exhibition was the collection Of fine paint
ings, deposited by Mr.. LEVY, Of this city. He
claims that one of them is a Raphael, another
an Angelo. ! learn that this collection has,
since the Fair. become the property of WM.
G. SWAN, Esq, whose we'll known literary
and artistic taste affords a sufficient guaranty
that the paintings whether their pretensions
to antiquity are Just or not, are not without
considerable merit In this connection must
not omit to me,tioa the specimens of oil
paintings and crayon work, exhibited by Mrs.
GORE, of the Female Institute at this place.
These not only took q premium, but formed
one of the chief objects of attraction, afford
ing the greatest delight to all lovers of the
beautiful. know not five have many critics
here, in the fine ,rts-if so, / think these
pieces contain points which would challenge
even their admiration.
1t is, perhaps a descent from the Arts to
fine Stock, yet must jot down, now, while
they occur to me. my impressions of the spe-
cimens in this department. The MoGHEEs,
OF Monroe, so well known as Industrious, en-
ergetic and successful stock raisers went
away literally covered up with certificates
and premiums. would not like to undertake
to say what domestic animal it was they did
not get premium for. But for the fastest
trotting horse, 10. WILLIAMS, of Granger won
the prize. When saw him mounted in his
light, spider.web looking vehicle, sailing
round the track, with his coat. tails streaming
to the breeze, l aaied myself if he was not
flying. could but think Of that celebrated
race of John Gilpin-
Away went Gipn, neck or naught,
away went h.tand wig,
"The wind did blew, the coat did ny
Like streamerslong and gay,
TIL loop and button failing both,
At last 1t few away.
"The dogs did bark, the ladies screamed,
Up went the mems hats all,
And every soul cried out, well done
As loud as he could bawl!"
Williams horse is one Of the horses, and viii.
liams is one Of the boys! May he always
take premium, and
"when he rides another race
May be there to see ~
TlS. Brass Band, led by that skillful and
accomplished musician, and prince of good
fellows, Capt. FArro, added much to the en-.
tertainment Of the occasion by the Sweet
strains of most eloquent music which they
discoursed, as they were drawn through our
streets in CoLEMAN's magnificent omnibus
CHARLEY, the "colored" gent who directs the
movements of that same "bus," has become a
very proverb for politeness, promptitude and
efficiency as conductor. He is, too, man