Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-01-10
Patriotic Party at "Fore.t Home,

convey to your mind an IDEA OF HnaI We
missed by not being able to attend Mrs
FRENcH's party at Forest Home. Won'i
we Join the fair writer of the following des-
cription in her wish, "that when next the
yule-iog is lighted upon the hospitablr
hearthstone Of Forest Home, may we all be
there to see" U. T. +
DEAR SIR-The incorporating nat oil
business which prevented you from being
present at the holiday fae at Forest Home.
was most regretfully acquiesced in by us all,
and believing that it will afford you pleasure
to hear something concerning it. jot down
a few remarks upon it for your edifcation.
We had a glorious time. The evening. il
YOU remember, was clear and cold, but the
roaring fires, and warm welcome within.
soon put fight to all remembrances of the
snow-coVered landscape without. at the
hall door we were met by our host and hos
tess, and either their welcoming smiles, or
the fact of passing in under the ''star-span-
gled banner" kindled up cur spirits and our
patriotism at once. The front entrance was
wreathed with festoores of evergre ns. and
Immediately under the flag of our UGion.
was the word "Consttution," done in foliage
on a white ground, as were all the NOTICE
combined with the decorations. Two doors
opening on either hand bore amid their
wreaths the words, "UaiOn" and "Ehf0Tcs
useut Of The Ld0s" respectively. The parlor
on the right as We entered, looked like the
fair nf
flowers, &C., stood here and there,-encircl-
ing the portrait of the "PATER PATRIE,"
over the manteI, were his own words, ''Nerer,
nerer gire up the Union, the windows, un-
der arches of evergreen, and over curtains
of rose-color and folds of feeey lace bore
the memorable words of Thomas Richie
sPrserrs the RIGHTS Of the Stote,'-''end the
UNION of the States.' While just opposite
hung the large portrait of our hOspitable
hosts three children encircled and united by
beautiful Hreaths combining with the words
"Uaited .ce stand''-on one side-"Divided zee
fall" on the other. The apartment opposite
was decora ted in q similar manner Over
the mantel hung magnificent painting OF
the stsunch old Hero of the Hermitage"
surrounded by his own words in evergreen
''T2< Ederal Union, II must Be pTssrrei," and
the windows with their drs perry of white and
pink, bore arches of evergreen surmounted
by the Union cockade, and the words, Three
ehesrsfor The Red, White and Blue" Tie gen.
tlemen were in full evening dress, and of
course appeared to the best advantage. The
dresses of the ladies were of Homespun Lin
sey, Of Southern manufacture, many of them
indeed, manufactured in the county Of War
reu, and all were made up by the fair fugers
of the wearers themselves. In memory of
the Old Dominion, her native State,
our dear little hostess wore dress Of VIr-
ginian Linsey. 1 never heard a galaxy OF
bellies SO universally complimented, upon
their good taste and elegant appearance, and
certainly a brighter set of faces and heater
costumes never beheld any where. 1t was
q noticeable fact that not particle of jewel
~ was visible.
The peals OF laughter, silvery and clear that
rang out from the Ladies dressing room, soon
told us that the reign of Fun and Frolic"
was inaugurated, by the examination and
criticism of the costumes of Linsey and
Homespun in which our bevies of fair bellies
were content to shine, for tina. evening, at
least. Very shortly after this we heard
most unwonted sound from the room opposite
us, and upon our host throwing open the door
suddenly, leave you TO imagine the scene
The room was crowded with ladies, looking
most bewitchingly charming,-in the centre
stood the graceful Miss S. S., with her hand
pointine to the Union cockade, while hand
kerchiefs were waving. eyes flushing, cheeks
and "three times three" went up
In a silvery chorus for the Red, White and
Blue.D Fun and Frolic, Mirth and Music.
sped away the hours until the announcement
of supper. A somewhat peculiar vision
greeted us as the company filed in to the
supper-room. In the centre OF long table.
which groaned under the burden of elegant
Southern Inequalities" stood large white
urn, from which lowered cedar, somewhat
after the manner of Christmas tree. A
wreath encircled the urn, and with it was en-
.wined q broad band of rose-colored ribbon,
bearing the ominous words, "UNIoN ORACLE"
The tree was divided into zones by belts of
ribbon co,ile,fr-de-Tose, and from lis branches
hung hundreds of little affairs. tied up with
white and pink satin, suggestive TO me of
nothing in the world but allumettes. After
partaking of the delicacies and "good Christ
mas cheer" before us, the ORACLE" was re-
moved to the centre of the parlor, aud we
we're made acquainted, by our laughing lit
lie hostess, with its Delphic design. 1t ap-
,eared that each zone on the tree was filled
With written answers (done up somewhat in
he form of allumeftes) to some question per-
aiming to another sort OF Union. Every in
eresting to most young people, and also to
some of the old ones.) which said question
vas inscribed on the belt of ribbon. immedi-
Itely below each zone. i leave you to i'm
.gine how "the mirth end fun grew fast and
urious" when the drawing and reading en-
ned, especially when spicy Shakspearian
answers came ia to such mcmentous and |
pertinent questions as "ShaH eper Be mar
led 2" The spirit manifested by the guests |
IN this festive occasion seemed wholly in |
.onsonance with the spirit of the beautiful |
dc as designed by cur patriotic host and |
hostess TO be expressed in the several acces-
cries. Homespun and Linsey represented |
southern rights and independence,-the |
'uuntiful table Southern resources-and the
ecorations, our love and loyalty to the
Union Of our fathers. Everything was in
with the motto chosen from
be veteran Richie, "Pres1pe the RIGHTS of
Y States and the UNION Of the States" In con-
Iusion we would tender to our host and
ostess the united thanks of their young
lends for this most delightful holiday Home
estival. adding that, when next the yule-icg
lighted upon the hospitsble hearthstone OF
crest Home, may We all "be there to seer