American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1859-01-14
a MARa1Aon rrsr1vAn.

"A MARRIAGH FESTIVAL.
The following beautiful allegorical
letter, says the New York Observer,
written by distinguished clergyman
OF Boston, as a reply to a descrip.
tion sent him, by II lady, of grand
entertainment given mt Albany, was
printed and circulated at the time of
writing, (more than fifty years ago,)
from one end of the land to the other.
1t will be interesting to many who see
nothing more in it than the skilful
grouping of imagery. grand, majestic,
and beautiful, and cannot fail to be in
teresting to all readers
"In an accompaniment of one Of
your letters, find glowing description
OLA fashionable ball given in the neigh
borhood of Albany, oD.account of the
marriage Of MIR. S. to Miss II. The
guests were many, the accommodations
spacious; rendered resplendant by all
that art and taste could furnish. Fam
cy and ornament combined their pow.
ers to throw Il lustre over the delight
ed attendant. a
Three hundred silver candlcsticks,
and indefinite number of lamps poured
their lights upon thirty mirrors, which
faithfully reflected what they received
in softening brightness through the
several apartments and their variegatcd
scenery. The deserts we're exquisite,
and were served with taste and ele
gance. The music and alnusements
were enchanting. This NJ ust have been
scene highly delightful to the man of
this world and the daughters of world
~ taste and pleasure but ! find it
lasted only one short night. Nay, it
blushed to meet the rising sun,as though
conscious that that little orb would tar.
nlslh all its brightness The ladies re-
turned at threc-the gentlemen at five;
probably both resolved to take revenge
on this disturbcr of nightly pleasure
by dispensing with his charms till they
should be lost in this evening hemi-
sphere.
The reading of this description sug-
guestcd to inc the thought of attempt
ing faint description ofa marriage fes
tival, for which preparation has been
long making, and a partial description
given from time to time of what is then
to be exhibited. 10 this festival / have
the honor of an invitations; as guest,
am entrusted with authority to invite
others; have heard little and mag
inc more of the transporting scene, but
could correctly paint both on paper,
"the half could not be told" This
festival is to be celebrated at place
whose length and breadth are ten thou,
sand furlongs; its height and depth are
proportionatoly elevated. Itstahds on a
foundation of twelve different kinds of
precious stones, of varigatcd hue, ar
ranged with so much art, as to throw
reciprocal and increasing lustre and
all producing such a flood of splendor,
as mocks the attempts of men and an
giles to describe. 10 this place there
are twelve avenues, all paved with gold
leadings to gates that are of entire
pearl; each gate is of one pearl--nei.
thcr fractured nor divided. The
flooring of the palace is of pure gold,
as it were of transparent glass, and the
ceiling of jasper. The apartments,
the hangings, the ornaments, l cannot
describe; but if they bear an increas-
ed proportion to the elegance of the
exterior, what must they be? Oh,
let us be ambitious to go and see. OF
the guests that are invited, can give
no particular account !; aud a still more
imperfect one of those who will accent.
OF one circle there were long ago one
hundred and forty-four thousand that
had accepted the invitation. Among
these were kings, queens, princes,
and princesses, noblemen and their
daughters, priests and prophets; since
when the number Of invited guests has
greatly increased, and servants have
been running with notes of invitation
to more distant towns and families, and
though they have often met with II
pray thee have mo excused" through
indisposition, want of taste or trivial
and foolish engagements, yet upon the
safest ground | can assure you there
will be such collection ''as no man
can number" OF the dress of the
guests | can also give but an imper,
feet account, some few particulars on
ly come to my knowledge. Their raj
tnent will be of wrought gold Of tho
most delicate and elegant nccdlowork,
and their general splcndor as though
they were clothed with the sun and
crowned with crown Of stars; but
their principal glory, beauty, and cx-
cellence arc within the sweetness Of
their disposition, the elevation Of their
minds, tho purity Of their hearts, and
the entire possession of their souls. -
They arc all glorious. not ono worth.