Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-08-07
For the Daily Patriot.
A Pic Me at BOX Hill.

Such were the contents of little penny
stamped billet-doux handed me by yellow
liveried postman one day last week. lost
no time the next morning in repairing to the
point designated. where joined my eicerone,
whom had not seen for fortnight, and in
less time than it takes for narration we were
safely put down at the Sutton Junction on
the Railway line.
Here the party who had invited us were all
assembled and anxiously awaiting our arrival
having chartered large excursion van,
capable of holding forty persons, which was
to convey us to Box Hill-our destined en-
campment.
The ceremony of introduction over was,
by direction of Quacklebum. placed at the
end of the car. between two of the rosiest of
all the merry maids Of England. Imagine
downy cushion of cashmere sbawls for a seat,
and the tapering waists Of two raven-curled
fairies for arm-supporters, and you may con-
ccive in measure, my luxurious chair of
locomotion to Box Hill. The situation was
at first embarrassing from its novelty, but
soon became accustomed to it, and before We
reached Box Hill, had made such rapid adj
vances that | was graciously allowed the
privilege of caressing either side of my arm
chair-''free gratis for nothing This pro-
ceeding was in direct opposition to the feel
| ings of the only disagreeable member of our
partv-a boasting Johnny Bull with fiery
! tinted whiskess and very red Cheeks He
was evidently enamored of one side of my
chair TO such an extent that any one present
could have observed with half an eye the
state of his mind, and he had formed an I'M
concealed aversion TO me from the moment
that he learned / hailed from the slave States
| of America. In he's uncultivated imagination,
the unfortunate inhabitants of that territory
! were little short of cannibals. l saw that my
attentions to the idol of his existence
chafed him considerably, and kept 1t up
with spirit-not so much as even returning
| an answer to his impertinent sallies about the
| slavery question, with which he thought to
| entice me from the smiles of his dulcinea.
| Arrived at Box Hill, / assisted his charmer
to alight-a delight be had hopefully antici-
| patcd for himself-and regarding me as the
cause of his disappointment. this show OF gal
lantrv on my part was but another goad to
increase the implacability of his hatred and
| jealousy.
| The ladies were soon engaged IN prepara-
| tions for the "dinner on the green" when
approached the edge of The Cliff in com
panv with Capt Crisp-the Major-General of
our party. an old sailor and renowned
cricketer. who was familiar with every spot
of note in that vicinity. We reached 1.-THE
Cliff" an elevation equal in height to the
lookout on the Tennessee, but with far
more beautiful prospect. Indeed, taking all
into consideration-the lovely meadows and
spreading fields of waving grain at the base
| of the hill-it was the most imposing specta-
Gle had ever witnessed. 1t is considered the
most beautiful landscape view in all England.
Far away for miles over the heath, the view
was uninterrupted. The old Captain pointed
ont TO me in the distance, the celebrated
| Derby Downs and other places OF interest
| and said he to me- "You are at present stand
ing upon the grave of La Baliere-an eccen-
trio old Frenchman who was buried, accord
ing to his own desire, in a perpendicular
|
reason for this singular wish, that he believed
in the course of human events, there would
be a revolution of nature, and In that case he
| would he rightly entombed. An amusing
| ..II,U,IVUU tUIu vi La DdiieIe, WHICH 10 all
other instance of his eccentricity: He was
considered a superior judge of fine paintings
and was invited by a nObleman, who had eX-
ecutcd a work of art, to visit him and pass
his opinion on the merits of the Picture. Ac-
cordingly the old Frenchman went, saw the
picture and partook of a splendid dinner at
the nobleman's table. After the wines were
removed; the nobleman asked his opinion
about the picture. your picture is daub,"
quietly responded La Baliere. WHAT ex-
claimed the nobleman, rising with indgna-
ton. do you eat at my table and drink my
wines and call my painting a 'daub?'' Wat
do | care for your dinner and your wines, "
replied the testy little Frenchman, rising in
turn. Your picture is one daub-dnd damn
dpl6."
So much for La Balere. In commemora-
ton of him | cut sprig from one of the Box
wood trees which shade his uncomfortable
| resting place, ana we TtJTdCeu our sGcpS W
the Pic Mic encampment.
After making fearful inroads upon the
viands which the hands of the fair ones had
prepared the gentlemen adjourned in body
| to the cricket field. and it so happened that
| the rosy faced Mr.. Bull was my antagonist in
cricket match. 1t further happened that
Mr. Bull, bowling at the cricket which was
defending, struck my bat with his ball with
such force that the ball rebounded and struck
Mr.. Bull in the pit of the stomach. which
threw him into commissions and had already
made several innings before he recovered
rom the shock. But to cap the climax to
Mr.. Bulls msfortunes / struck the ball Sec
ond time with such force that it went right
away down the hiil-mucb to the discom-
future of Mr.. Bull. who had to bowl away for
half a mile to recover it, amid shouts OF laugh
ter from the ladies.
Cricketing was kept up until late hour,
though other modes of amusement were prac
ticed as well--such as foot ball, foot-races,
tip-cat and the swing.
"Now for a fnot-racc," said the old Gap
tain, addressing the young men present. And
he proposed we should all run in the Derby
style, for specified distance-two ladies
holding a handkerchief across to serve as
goal for the contending champions. ''And
now l lay a sovereign" continued the old
gentleman ''that the Yankee wins the race"
(The Captain has a partiality for my side Of
the Atlantic.)
dad win the race, though II cost me an
effort. and / am still suffering from soreness
caused from an over-exertion on that day at