Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-09-25
PICNIC AT ANTIOCH.

The editor of the Chester Standard attended a
Picnic at Antioch Church, near Rock Hill, week
before last, and was charmed by all he saw and
heard and felt-the sprightly and pretty girls
down there, the fine singing, and the profuse good
eating &c. Thcreupon he went home, and wrote
it down in real clever style. He is susceptible,
observant sort of man, and especially when talk
ing about the ladies and domestic matters gener-
ally, his word is as good as gos .el. Hear how he
| talks -
at was the occasion of the last day ofsinging for
school which had been taught at that place by
Mr. Harvey Crawford. The school was large and
the satisfaction given reciprocally by teacher and
pupils, had been such as to induce the latter to
give pic mic, as farewell to the exercises.
about 10 o'clock the people had gathered in
such numbers rs to make few outsiders, who
knew nothing, shrug their shoulders and wag
their heads, as much as to say the thing had been
ovcrtlonc, while others who knew the character
and generosity Of the people of that vicinity,
maintained that provisions had been furnished in
plenty for all present and 1000 besides; and
these latter were proved to be far the better ud-
ges.
"Singine now commenced, and altho' this was
that place, the performance was such as to elicit
unqualified admiration from all those capable of
apprcciatng good vocal music. What very
unusual was the women sang without reserve or
restraint great deal of good music is spoiled
by a sort Of mawkish modesty OH the part Of
Young ladies'; there was nothing, however, Of this,
as We could discover, in the present instance, and
we'll did the absence Of it tell on the scholars and
spectators.
.After brief recess, singing was resumed for
short time; then Rev. \. Whyte, by request Of
the Committee of Arrangements, rose, made some
preliminary remarks complimentary Of the good
dccorum and performances Of the lay, and intro
duced Rev. 4. II. Lester, of Yorkyille, to the
meeting, who was expected to make half hours,
speech Oh the subject Of Temperance. Here was
treat more than had been expected and well did
the people seem disposed to receive it.
"Our friend Lester is not altogether in appear
ance as promising an orator as We have seen, but
when it comes to the performance of talking to the
people, it will be found that he has few superors,
in that avocation. He said it was difficult for
him to limit himself exactly to half an hour, as he
had been used to speaking till he exhausted
branches of subjects and not time; and as he
warmed up and proceeded with Temperance and
kindred subjects, his hearers must have been
convinced that he can speak, and speak to the point
too. About the point he seemed to be fairly un-
der way however, his time had expired and he
concluded by saying that he thought he was like
the Dutchman said Of his horse, which never got
started until he had run about miles.
"The speaking being done, dinner was announc-
ed to be in readiness at grove near by. All be-
took themselves to the table, in proper order,
where an abundance of everything of "the best
the market and season can atford' was found
spread out in captivating order. There were
cakes, pies fruits breads, meats, potatoes tarts,
custards &c, sc, etc, etc, and all so nicely prepar-
ed and set forth that all appeared like it might
have been cooked at the same house this however,
was not the case, for each one had made spon-
taneous and free offering of the herds ofhs focks
and of the fruit of the field Who could refuse
hearty invitation to such banquet mot we,
certainly. Most heartily were we Nil invited and
most heartily and gratefully did we all partake.
And after oil had eaten and were filled to waste
funess there was still plenty left for any ordin-
ary affair of the kind. Such was the generosity,
good order, sobricty, decorum and neatness dis
played it was remarked by all the outsiders we
heard OF the subject, that it, in whole and in
parts excelled anything that has been seen for
many day. This accords entirely with our ver-
dict. If this be sample of the department, lib
erality and public spirit of the people of Eastern
York, commend US very earnestly to them.
"The men, young and old, displayed their gal
lantry altogether becomingly and the ladies re-
ceved their small attentions with diffident sweet
ness of demeanor and modest gratitude and grace.
Then they, the ladies, are so handsome in fes-