Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-05-31
From our Mississippi Correspondent
Holidays.

Holidays.
Nothing, it seems to me, tends moro TO re-
move the asperities of life than the proper OBJ
scrvance Of a reasonable number of anniver-
saries.
The Americans are said TO be SO fond OF
making money and talking politics that they
take no time for enjoyment. Even our poll
tics seem to be reduced to the standard OF dol
lars and cents, and some Of our religious folks
are discussing the holy communion upon the
same principle, and calculating how many
missionaries might be supported with the
money spent for wine by the churches.
Dimes are very useful in their places. Ev-
cry man and every woman ought to have some
occupation and make some arrangements for
future support. This, however, might be
done without altering the catechism as to
read =" Q. What is the chief end ofman ="
"a. To make money enough to raise his
children as handles and bellies, and have all
the luxuries that enervate body and SOUL"
The Catholics carry the matter to an ex-
'-s--O
to festivals protessedly religious.
In our country, Christmas, the eighth Of
January, and fourth Of July are celebrated,
but not generally in way to promote the
cause of temperance. Washington's birthday
is rarely noticed, and all the heroes of the rev.
oluton are thought to be sufficiently honored
by passing notice on the fourth of July, to
last the whole year.
One reason that anniversaries are dreaded
by some prudent people is, that it is thought
there can be no celebration without an expen-
sive dinner or supper. Of course late hours,
with or without intoxicating liquors, produce
mischief. But does any anniversary worthy
of celebration require these extravagances
1t has been proposed to celebrate the forma-
Now what would be proper ceremonies on
such an occasion. Not necessarily process
sion or any extravagant eating or drinking.
Some patriotic songs, reading of extracts
from the sages of the revolution and speech
from Young America would be all that need
be considered strictly necessary. Picnics,
reunions, parties and balls, &C., would be by
some considered proper accompaniment, and
might be arranged to the taste of the partici-
pants by way of finishing the day.
The first of May has been kept as a floral
festival for a long period. Gathering flowers
on May Day is considered by most young la
dies as a time honored custom. The May
pole seems to have lost favor in modern times.
Although "thrice did Caesar refuse to wear
the crown" few young ladies have refused
to be crowned Queen of May.
Now may not such festival be so cele-
brated as TO have good effect What more
pleasant than 10 see group of maidens greet
ing the return of Spring with joyful hearts
and cheerful songs! 1t is true the queen of
the hour may display little vanity in receiv-
ing the homage of her courtiers. Generally,
however, if she is elected by her schoolmates
and all the honors are rendered by those of
her own sex, she will regard all the fattery
Is part of the play. These reflections have
arisen from Witnessing the coronation of a
May queen. The queen and principal officers
were selected by ballot, and they appointed
their attendants. The declaration of rights
was read in due form, the oath of office was
administered with proper solemnity, ard en-
bassies from sister kingdoms rendered suitable
homage TO the queen. These ceremonies
were interspersed with appropriate music, vo-
cal and instrumental.
l contend that such festivals at suitable
times show the young that their parents and
teachers sympathize with them and are anx-
ious for their happiness that the anxiety
for improvement in seyerer studies is for their
future enjoyment when the sterner duties Of
maturer years call them upon the stage of ac-
tive life. Such anniversaries recognizing the
bounties of Providence and the good deeds of
the benefactors of our race, remind us of a
common humanity and common participation
in the blessings of good government. That
such days have been the occasion of riot and
drunkenness, is the fault to be corrected not
by diminishing the number Of holidays, but
by improving the moral tone of society, by
teaching the young that the flowers and fruits
of the earth are to be enjoyed with thankful
ness that our mental and physical powers
are to be improved, that we may add to the
general stock of happiness, that the best way
to show our respect for the great and good of
former years is to show ourselves their wor-
thy successors. SENEx.
The Southern Side.
The know nothing State council of Georgia