Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-08-01
THE INTELLIGENCER.
a LETTER FROM yvmEEIrNC.

neel'ng' headed "May Day in Virginia, do.
seripuVe OF some pleasant impressions which
the writer derived from several views Mt morn.
Ing and evening of the scenery which snrrornd.
"heeling-as !" we'll as sketching in a readable
running way. what the writer seen, and heard
on the occasion of the May day exercises amen,
the teachers and pupils at the "Academy oftbe
Visitation. " '''o
here, first, is some pleasant little romancinp
winch resulted from a morning airing:
The day opened with such warblinp of
o"us! tnat Tor moment imagined tnyseifi IN
my OLD home on the far-off shores of a South.
et:ey; srn oey. But very different, though very
1Ga"l'lol p9;n ' prospect, greets my waking eyes,
llil upon hill, rose on every side, some lower
ing bold and abrupt over the water which re-,
6ected every rock and tree in its clear dcnthS
others sloped gently from their wooded slltnrnita
down INTO the lovely valleys which gem la belle
r'o'eTe, and just opposite my eyrie, break in
the nils disclosed a glimpse of the more open
country; but still, hill beyond hill until their
faint blue outlines were lost in the distance =.
Clear and distinct showed every strand of the
wires OF the great bridge, looking in the bright
morning sun like the tracery Of an immense
gossamer web swinging in mid-air; below. the
river gtowed and sparkled as its ripples caught
inc tlrSt rays OF sunshine, and in its bosom
set
in sapphire.
Pleasant villas and cottages, embosomed in
tohage with gay gardens and lawns running
down to the waters edge, fringe the island on
The SIDE opposite to the city; farther in, fruit
gardens and orchards give promise rich and
varied abundance; but chief among all the beau
ties and riches of the island are its VINEYARDS
the pride fthe whole country around-1ow in
tul tush OF bloom, and loading the air with
sweetness; even at this distance, everv breeze
comes laden with the fragrance, delicious in its
way, but not TO be compared with the scents
and sights of few months hence, when. Dec
1OtcHte, all the fire promise shall have ripencd
INTO trultlon. If you will only be persuaded
into giving us few days on your route home
alter your Northern tour, We will show you
Snch wealth OF purple and golden elories as
shall make you confess thcm days ''well lost "
Instead OF the stuntcd bean-pOle arrangements
oil ioreiSn vineyards, the vine is found 10 sue.
ceed best here trained on treccs six or eight
ieet nigh, which is great advantage, at least
IN point OF beauty, and the profuson of clusters
Coi mythical dmensionS) of large well-ripened
grapes in perfect bcwildcring. Before one clus-
ter can be gathered, another Of more beautiful
proportions and richer hue catches the eye, un.
I'll, at length Satiated with sweets and laden with
spoilS, nre lain to turn.sour reluctant feet
homeward-it the kind proprietor does not per-
suade you, as stranger into visiting the estab-
IshInent where the art and mystery of wine
making Is carried on in all its processes and
testing the qualities of the yintnges of many
years; by which time you will be quite
ready for the cool, refreshing walk over tho
bridge, with which our island excursion tcrni
mates; and which will, I hope have convinced
you-to say nothing of the numerous manufac.
tories and other evidences Of talent and energy
on the city side of the rivcr-that Wheeling is
by no means the poor place which hasty trave.
ers have been wont TO pronounceit.
Then follows this, detailed account of a visit
to the Academy, which the writer enjoyed:
By this time, the sun was well over the cast.
crn bills, parties might be seen vending their
way to their different destinations in the coun-
try ronnd-there 10 spend the day in dances
and delight" Galy dressed children with older
friends and companions hocked over the bridge,
and disappeared among the groves and gardens
OF the island Boats left the wharveS with bands
playing, streamers flying and handkcrchefs
waving, as parties passed each other or took
leave of friends on shore Now, thought as call.
the world is May" why should not / also, for
once make holidayg and with that remember
ed the invitation which, with their usual kind
ness, the Ladies Of the ViSitston had given me
to the May-day festival of the young ladies' un.
der their charge certain chilly feeling had
lor two or three years been associated in my
mind with May parties, from the remembrance
Of the rain, SHOW and hail' which accompanied
the last one at which assisted. But this was
another matter, and banishing all ungenal re-
collections, found myself in company with
some friends, in the saloon of the academy in
good time to see all the interesting ceremonies
The invitations had been more numerous than
usual, and we found quite number of guests
already assembled A stage or raised platform
running across the whole widthSof the sa-
loon had been reserved for the throne and
musicul arrangements. The entire space be-
tween the windows was occupied by the throne
the steps and platform of which were covered
with dark green, throwing out the pure white
which draped the pillars and hung in graceful
folds over the rosc-colonr of the back ground
White aud red roses IN their bright green
leaves wreathed pillar and arch in rich profu-
sion, and with beautiful effect. On each side of
the throne, stood magnificent harp, and in the
rear Of each harp f" fine toned grand piano.
Whilst examining aud admiring the beauty
and perfect taste of the decorations, buzz in
the lowsr part of the room gave warning of the
approach Of the procession. The crowd fell
away to either side, and amidst the martial
strains ofa grand quartettc on horps aud pianos,
the procession marched up the open space head.
ed by two tiny crown bearers. One fair hair
ed, blue eyed blonde of our own city, the other
nIro1 oh; So