The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-08-12

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aaTastshv ~. 's5ta Z it ALBANY, Aug. I, 1855
EzcSrsisas N Ne Aildscn Riser- Picnies n sAe
GrOves-HeaAbI Enjoymens Much Indslgsd
N BY People n tbs Region.
This y the season for excursions and picnics.
Every day come party Is on the river. They are
mostly church and Sunday school societies, got up
ossensibly to give the children an airing on the
water during pleasant day. small steamer and
two three freight barges chartered-the hitter
intended to accommodate the party, at twenty five
or iifty cents passage Each family and some
times two or three join together furnish their own
provender, such Is bread, butter, cheese, cooked
meats es cakes and other etceteras Of an innocent
pslatsble quality The vessels proceed some twenty
miles down the Hudson river, near the village of
Coxsackie, where the party step ashore into plea
SAINT grove open their baskets and carpet bags re.
cline Ia Turk upon the grass, under the
awning of the thick forest leaves, and partake of
their variety Of refreshments. The ministers elders
Sunday school teachers, and other pillars of
the church are always indispcnsably present. With
them and their female companions the freedom of
the picnic il universal; indeed the parties who ARE
honored mostly with their presence and their appetite
are rendered the happier There, however, is generally
no distinction among the society on these happy
days. The minister is as well pleased in CONVERSE
ton with sister Lucy, OF very recent conversion, as
with Dame Deborah, q mother in Israel--the rock-
ing, frolicksoe danse casting sheep eyes over her
shoulder attracts the attention Of the venerable
deacons with gayer couutenances aud lighter hearts,
than the sober, sedate landmarks who are con-
stantly watching and praying and signing over their
manifold sins. And whilst the older class of
mothers and fathers gathered in groups thanking
merciful Providence for supplying them with SUCH
fine weather and exhlirating nountsn air, the young
are seated upon little hilocks in the rear ground
over the knoll, in the ravine, near the sliyery
gurgmg rivulet, pouring into each others ears and
eyes the most convincing reasons why their two
melted into one. The children Of smaller
growth, not afflicted with the palpitating hearts as
yet OF their older brothers and sisters, nor care
worn concerning future existence, are employed
in skipping, gamboling and frolcking around and
among the underbush, in the valleys the hillocks
with the buOyancy OF balloon, and tine agility of
deer AS no other thoughts enter their childish minds
except the occasion and the day, these sunday
school children return to their homes Mt twilight
with renewed health revived spirits, cheerful hearts,
and enough to talk about until the next annual cx
cursion and picnic comes around.
But these healthiul and audable entertainments
are only enjoyed by the children and families OF the
middlng class OF society, those belonging to or as
smilating with the Methodists and Baptists. These
cheap excursions for day are got up by the lead
ing members for the benefit OF the poor portion Of
their congregations. There are no other means
within their power of having single day Of recrea-
ton, during the hot summer months, and with
only one in the season they are abundantly
content. The other societies, the Episcopalian,
Presbyterian, ard Reformed Dutch, never
think of treating the poorer members of their 30
cieties to any such entertainment, nor any ut all
During the dog days, running into some six or eight
weeks most Of their clergymen are ia the country,
at Saratoga Lake George, Niagara, ut the bath
ing places on the sea coast Twothrds or the dear
cons and ruling disciples are oil with their families
during the same time, and their churches remain
closed during the 60 hot season." The poor OF such
societies are LETT all the while without the bread of
lise;' and should any be known to enter any other
church, enjoy picnic in company VITA Gie poor
Baptists and Methodists, severe reprimand, and
perhaps an expulsion to the outer temple for
season, would likely be the consequence.
Whilst the weather remains clear, warm and plea
SAINT, it is hoped these entertainments may be
tnued They are conducive TO the health Of the
body nvigorating to the constitution, refreshing to
the mind and congenial with nature. Children
especially, should very frequently We exposed to the
balmy breeze OF the waters and the refreshing shades
Of the mountain groves.