Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-07-15


Running away from the heat Of the city
and on my way to the mountains, was
asked to remain and spend the all GLORIOUS
Fourth at Cat Tail Springs, on Kettle Run
My horse was tired, and | WAS glad to &c.
cept the invitation. laughed at the names,
and thought because of the names Ia he
among the savsges: but 10! upon my arrival
found only ladies and gentlemen. | know
you, a. we'll az some Of your readers. will
enjoy description of An old fashioned |r'
ginia barbecue, and such it was in reality
There were scruped and well pounded hoE
for dancing, long table, covered with snow
white cloths, pleasant seats before an hum
BILE rostrum, all under the finest trees OF the
forest, atfording such shade rs only ma
lures foliage can give. But the people, oh
let me speak Of the people. There were
names high on the mother country's record,
others known to fame because Of connection
with Washington. and the work began that
day 80 years ago. There were those whose
names are prominent in our national aud
state councils, now, and in earlier times,
and some bearing names familiar to the
church for high ecclesiastic lore. You may
suppose we had, from all this, a select com.
pany, and 50 we had; and there was IN that
party u sprinklng Of beauty from old Belle
Haven, 30 famed for it. Indeed, the ladies
were all in beauty, grace and refinement, such
~ the lssses south OF Mason aud DxOn's line
are 80 Justly celebrated for. had heard Oh
Virginia barbecue, and WAS curious 10 -re
the cooking 40 much talked Of. saw n PIT
eight or ten feet long, by three or tour
broad, half filled with live Goals, over winch
was spread On sticks whole carcasSes ot
sheep, shoats, and chickens. the darkle'
busily hopping them with rich seasoning
pots with old hams and vegetables, closed
the scene. The ladies were refreshed with
lemonade and such cake as only Virginia la
dies know how 10 make. But don't think
the gentlemen were forgotten. Oh, no. MT
in old Virginia! There was plenty Of that
which is said to be good tor the stomach.
sake, and would add the spirits too; and
now don't let any one Of all your readers
fear this scene to END in drunken Tow.
Only such "a could 50 de-ecrate this "a
cred day could anticipate such result
The day ended and not q man had forgot
ten what he owed his cpuntry's birth day,
and the presence Of the fair daughters OF
Adam. Throughout the day was forced
to remark that even in these exciting
times, heard not politics named they
were eschewed ON that day. SAW but
gentlemen, but brothers, in social intercourse,
feeling the Importance Of the occasion for
which they had assembled But so run
away with the beauty Of the ladies. the ap
propriateness of the grounds, the decorum Of
the dance, mot those late imported vulgar
ties from Europe, which only snob' and
Aunkies initiate, and the department Of the
sterner seq. that, in its place, forgot 10 tell
you Of the oratory. A young gentleman, a
favorite OF his neighborhood, was the orator
selected for the occasion. | wish you had
heard him; you would have appreciated tn:
Grafton. 1t was learnedly historic, and elias
sically pure, with the enthusiasm Of the pa
triot; and then came an extempore address
by that old Man Eloquent Rev. Tho-. b
Balch, so eloquent 80 instructive. so accept
able! Why will he not oltener mingle with
his brothers of the pulpit. and pour forth h''
eloquence and his wisdom! NJ. B. b.
Prince VIM. Co., July, 1859.