Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1860-03-31
00I1MWt WtN10 A1rl0M S.
Correspondence of the Keowee Courier
BERLIN, Prussia, Feb. 1G 1850


Mr, Editor: In my letter of November
10, mentioned that proposition had been
made to get up thanksgiving dinner in or
der that we here, four thousand miles away
from our native land, might celebrate what
mas now we'll nigh become II national festival.
Accordingly arrangements were made with
the proprietor of the " Hotel Zum Krom
Prinz, and notice read at the American
chapel, requesting those inclined to take part
IN the affair to call at the said hotel and req
istcr their names. On the 2+th, at half past
Tour clock, p NJ, according to appointment
some s'Xty-hve or seventy of the sovercigns of
Amerca assembled in the large dining sa
loon, which was brilliantly lighted UP, and
adorned with the "stars and stripes''
The exercises commenced by the rcadiDc
of tie xiii Psalm, by the Rev Mr.. HAM
ILroN, of New Haven; the prayer by the
Rev. Mr. KENT, of Baltimore; the singing
OF the one hundrcdth Psalm, to the tune
OF Old Hundred" in which all Joined; after
which, blessing was asked by the Rev. Mr.
GAGE, of Andcvcr Mass :" Mine host
then gave signal and the onslaught com
menced First, came baked beans and pork
which is said to be the universal thankseiy-
ing dinner dish at the North {; then Westpha-
liza, ham, &c; then came turkey "ppine hot
from the kitchen D. this is considered great
rarity in this country kept mostly for the
royalty and nobility, and some who were near
me suggested that we were eating goosc-the
everyday dish hcre-but at any rate it was
very good and Shakespeare asks, sWhats
IN pame 2" Then came some pumpkin Dies,
made by an American lady, and We tapered
OH with cheese, butter and bread, fruits, nuts,
&c, &c.--the whole being seasoned by the
hum of conversation, the popping of corks,
and the suspicious tingling of gflsses. Our
Minister Plenipotentiary, Gov. WRIGHT, of
Indiana, after few very appropriate remarks,
proposed the King and Queen Prince Re
gent and Royal family, of Prussia DIR. AB-
BorT, the oldest inhabitant of the colony,
then proposed the President of the United
states Then came great number of toasts
and speeches., some religious, some patriotic,
and some humorous, by persons from every
part OF the Union. A poem on "the Dot of
baked BEANS" composed especially for the &C.
chsion, and translation of Schiller's "three
words of faith" (Dic dric Worte des Glau
bens) Z" Freedom, Virtue, and God" were
also read, collection for the poor taken up,
(S3O,) and the festivities closed by singing
4" Home, sweet Home"
The whole ?ccason was happy blending
Of innocent hlm.'v and christian thankful
ness, and will no DOUBT be long remembered
by all present
Christmas is a far mcrrio, time h,rc than
in America, where our Pilgrim 'athers tried
TO throw away the old superstitions ard festi.
walls Of the corrupt church, whose prosecutions
drove them to the wilds of America. There
It is merely holiday in which all claeses Law
aside their ordinary business, and 90 in pur-
suit Of pleasure every one according to his
own tastes and incIinotions With us at the
South, 1t is especially marked by the fcstivi-
ties of the negroes, who, of all persons on
earth, are the freeest and merricsE while
Christmas lasts. Here, however, 1t is daite
dlffaPent, Christmas Is a great religions fes
tiVul fDF Protestants and Romanists, and for
several days the churches are opened and the
stores closed. Nearly everybody goes TO
church where the services are all conducted
with special reference to the Joyous celebva.
tion of the coming of Christ. The places of
amusement all get-up their beat programmes
and for several weeks before and after Christ.
mas there are In the principal squares hun
dreds of tents filed with u Us and tFinkets, for
sale, as Christmas presents, so that on fair
days thousands of children (and grown folks,.
too,) may be soen vending their way 10 the
christmas fair, (Weihnactsmease,) or return
ing home after having bought themselves rich
and happy. Every family, however poor,
has tree with a present of some kind for
each :aember, and tho children are Taught to
fenember the goodness of God in "tbc un.
.epeakable gift of His Son. The Queen makes
presehts TO the orphans aud children of very
poor persons, which are collected in great ur-