The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1861-10-02
VIRGINIA CORRESPONDENTS.
lFoR THE LANCASTER LEDGER.
GERMANTOWN, Sep. 5. 1861

This is another wet day, commenced
raining early this morning and from ap
pearances will hold on all day and night,
irregular eastern ''set to-" akin to the
equinox-soon drives through the clothes
and reaches the skin. II feels sorter cold
at first and uncomfortable all the time,
but if there is any comfort in getting u.s.
ed TO such, we have had the full benefit
Of it. The Chaplain has just passed by
and says such weather gives him "blu
ish" inclination. have often heard the
expression, never mind the weather 30
the wind don't blow" but the author of
that proverb had never probably beer 10
as many drenching showers as we have,
or he would have written differently and
said "never mind the weather so it don't
rain all tho time" To day was my turn
to play "Adjutant Of the day" for the
Brigade. After mounting the Regimen
tai, l had to mount Brigade guards, so l
speak from experience when say it is
raining. and tha.,a searching, insinuating,
feeling and cooling rain. Frequent OF
lutioIs of the person are conducive to
health it opens the pores of the skin,
excites a healthy action, creates cheerful
ness, produces an alboyer good feeling,
requires the use Of little or no cologne or
other perfumery; but our washings here
do not produce these effects, far from it.
A good wetting in this region closes the
pores, makes the dirt adhere more close
ly, drives in disease from the surface to
the insices, produces a blueish tempera
ment, creates an irritable and excitabIe
disposition. a non lending, non accom-
modating spirit; pr,stratss all ideas OF
gallantry, all notions Of matrimonial
character, creates longing for the old
chimney corner, fond recollection Of the
rousing big fires Of oak wood that in by.
gone days we used to dry by. In by,gone
days "long ago." when wood was abun.
liant and handy, and the fire place was
The whole end Of the house, it vas fun
to run and play in the rain, get sprinkled
and wet, and then run into the capacious
chimney corner and warm and scorch in
to dryness by the heat Of such fires as
we were wont to have in those happy
by gone daYs. "long ago." Those com
forts would be fogyism anG "ninety nine
ism" now ; but in spite Of all progression
the old chimney corner with its capacities,
comforts md associations will be cherish.
ed with fond recollection. 1t was there,
father told and repeated bis exploits, pri
vations and suterings iU the "old war"
OF the snowy campaigns, the depreda
tions, cruelties and barbarities of the In.
dians. z 1t was in the old chimney corner
that Johny, Jimmy, Bob, Bill and Ned,
first heard Of Generals Washington,
Greene, Sumter, and Marion, and their
gallant conduct. 1t was there the tender
mind was taught to love our institutions {;
our noble form Of government, based up
on the copsent of the governed. II was
there they were taught to resist oppres
sion, to despise the oppressors. It WAS
there that Andrew Jackson WAS told, that
the Presidency was open 10 the fatherlsss
boy; that he might obtain that high and
distinguished position, If he merited the
promotion. 1t was there be resolved to
be man there he was fred up and
stimulated with such line of conduct,
intentions and ambitions, that caused bin
10 indelibly impress bis name as "great
man 10 an age Of great men," It was in
the old chimney corner, that the aspirs.
tions OF many, many youths, we're arous,
cd, excited and stimulated, who IN after
years became distinguished heroes aud
statesmen. II was there, the infant
mind was taught, impressed
''That honor and fame from no condition rise.
Act well your part, there all the honor lies"
1t was in the old chimney corner, that
mother in the long winter nights, With
knitting in hand, would listen with lively
interest and satisfaction to the of repeat
ed "yarns" Of father. 1t was there Johny
Tot tnapy wrap across bis cleaned wash
feet for scTopging or pinching Bill !;
nre Jimmy received similar touch for
V 70 sleep before he had got ".hat
~; thers Bobbio was made to quit