The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1859-05-11
For the Register.
May Day in Shorcham

." h"N hNEN0A'ls
May Day in Shoroham
Mr.. EDrroR So Saturday, April 3Oth.
was very pleasantly and appropriately
spent by Il large number of the people Of
this town in decorating cur ample common
and public grounds with shade trees which
before las is too often the case. in our
small villages at least wore an air of
barrcnncSs and dcsolation, the fine soil Of
which was previously %unocupied, cxcept
by some half dozen Lonbqrdv p%oplars.
The cntcrprisa originated solely with the
ladies, 10 whom he the praise. They
being well aware that the unitarian hab.
its Of the other sex would in future, as
IN time past, present their leading in the
matter, resolved to do so Themselves. and
promptly respond to a call issued by Ger.
tain Of their number proceeded to take
the proper initiatory steps towards the
accomplishment of this object, stating in
one of their resolutions that they relied
upon the gallantry Of the gentlemen to
carry it into execution which with their
polite invitations and entreatics was pcr.
AtNb1 IltolSAtplts
The day was fine and tho people en-
nasSc, men women and children gathered
at the appointed place, the men with trees
and necessary implements for planting and
guarding them, and the womcn with sun
dry boxes, baskets, &c. o1tin2us If eood.
The grounds presented a lively scene.
Trees were scattered in all directions.
while numbers were engaged under the
supervision Of the committee in pruning
and planting them. All worked with a
will, and it was interesting to observe the
air Of satisfaction which all expressed as
the work went on the innocent iests of
the young and gay, the warm hearted
greetings and conversation of the older
and more sedate, ana what was more the
pleasing appearance OF the ladies as they
visited the scene Of action from time to
time.
At the proper hour the bell rang and
all repaired to the Academy (thc rooms of
which had been kindly thrown open to the
public by the Principal to partake of Il
su,nptuous collation. which was there
awaiting them, and the fine appearance
of the abundantly supplied tables was
conclusive proof that the ladics could cxc-
cute in the'r department, as well as plan
Tor their lords and masters. When the
the entertainment both physical and soci-
al, was finished the work was resumed and
completed. The result of the days labor,
or rather, holiday exercise was the plan
ting Of over tuO huHdyca trees mostly in
good condition, upon the grounds around
the Churches and Academy and upon the
common, and the creation of any amount
Of good feeling and enjoyment. One clus-
ter Of trees composed of horse chestnuts
&C., was the centre Of particular attrac-
tion as they were the special contributor
Of the old people of the community.
What more noble impulse than that
which prompts to such undertakings. 1t
springs from that love of home and its
associations which exists to a greater or
less extent in the breast of every rational
being and should create in him a desire
to cmbellish and improve it.
Rreathes there the man, with soul so dead
Who never to himself hath said.
This is nv own, nv native land
whose heart hath ne'tr within him burned,
As home lis footsteps lie hath trrued,
From wandering On Il foreign strand
This movement of the ladies of Shore
ham was a highly interesting and successful
affair, and may not this as well rs every
other example of the kind prompt to other
and repeated efforts, and induce others to
60 and do likewise, until the public
grounds and private residences of our
County and State shall be suitably ador-
ned with shade trees? Is not this subject
worthy the attention of all? All must
acknowledge an interest in the matter.
Even he whose god is mammon is more or
less affected in his interests by the at
tractivcness or responsiveness of the Sec
ton of country in which his pccuniary in
tcrests are invested. X. Y. Z.