Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1858-07-12
rrorreponde,sce of The Patriot.)
BEAVER DAM. July 8.

BEAVER Dam, July 8, 1858.
MY DEAR SMITH :-Terpsichore presided
last night. Begin you, and think over the
Figures" of a spacious and fashionable ball
room-not over-crowded, but with enough of
spreading crinoline, sparkling eyes and twink
ling feet, to complete the picture of ballroom
beatitudes, continuing from to II o. the
clock, and you may realize the occasion.
These incipient angels, whose wings are yet
delayed but little. personated several extra
dozens of the graces, while the ''lords'' did
the amiable most winningly. There is posi-
lively noting like it. This hating cores
pendent cannot enter into particulars, no
more than he could have walked the circling
hours in the dance. He freely confesses that
the charming smOothness that made the occa-
sion one to be treasured by the gay and happy
participants, somewhat staggered his preju-
dices against such entertainments, which
latter he nom thinks are rather fancifnl than
substantial. In a magnificent cedar wreath
that over-arched the east end of the ball
room, this annotator fancied he saw the i'm
palpable, luscious Venus Her business there
strew the pathway of Hymen to the marriage
altar, with the richest flowers of the heart
garden. II was a cardinal mistake the heath
ems made. in putting arrows into the hands of
the Cupids to pierce the heart withal. Moth
ing could be more savage. Our civilization
revolts at it. 1t is not even pOetical, because
the fancy breeds disgust instead of pleasur-
able excitement. / therefore take down my
copy of the classics and expunge all traces
of the Cupids-nOt by the miserable and
ridiculous subterfuge of drawing black lines
around" them, but will scratch and blot and
wholly obliterate them. But softly; it may
be bad translation. 1t is possible these
quiver-bearers are properly the sequences
that they come after Venus has had her day
the little tormenters and mischief-mak-rs.
incline. upon this, not to expunge, and make
this entry on the fy-leaf "The learned trans
latOr of these mythOlogies, has fallen into a
grave error in the matter of the Cupids. They
should foIlo,o after the goddess and be painted Of
both seZes With these slight variations
which the every day experience of ancients
and moderns approves, the volume is herein
correct" So, L fit incontinently, from the
ballroom to the library. must fit back, if
it is but to take my hat and exit, before
which, albeit. a part of the programme
never forget, l march to the supper room.
find an array of victuals and viands, solid
and ornamental, so luxurious and various, as
to indicate the resources of Beaver Dam, in
this department, boundless. AS we pass
hence. | take an airline for my "cabin," and
casting a glance back, see the dance, which
sways mistily in the mellow lamp-lght, re-
newed with increased zest.
There is now a most admirable company at
the springs. DR.. KELLER, who is a most
genial and refined gentleman, impresses all
his guests with the feeling that they are in
the midst of everything that can contribute
to health and pleasure. His amiable lady
possesses all those high qualities of convi-
Vitality and womanly dignity, which Danish
the petty hustle of bousewifery, and cOnsti-
tute her the graceful head of the social circle.
The general superintendent, Mr.. NUNNELY, is
always at the right place at the right time,
and unremitting in his attentions to visitors.
The season is fairly opened, and will eclipse
anv former one NJ