The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-11
(Fr &e Camden Wekly Jomnal)
The MAY Party.

Dlds the earth be hapPy. wednesday,
the I'd Of this joyfurmonth Of flowers,
was ushered in by Aurora, sweet, god
dess of the dawn, who in her saffron
chariot dispels the dark mantle of night,
and before whose shedding light the
mists of morning divided and were
seen to melt; and when the majestic
sun. arose, disclosing to the joyful eye
Of anan the meadows green; and in a
thousand colors Earth's purest bios
SONS beamed, bathed in mornings
softest dews, We turned, even in the
hour ofigreatest, mirth, with gratitude
to Him who caused it all.
With mingled emotions Of pride and
pleasure do we recall to our memory
the dazzling recollcctions of that eve
ming. The halls were illumined as
bright as day., and Immediately re-
minded us of the descriptive beauties
of tho gardens of Araby the blest-so
grand, so glorious; oh, who that has a
soul for purest pleasure would not de-
light to revel in that sweet vale, whose
enchanting murmuring, like that OF
Tempe, entrances the senses with its
fairy charms; treading the halls of an
enchanted palace, where the forms OF
beauty and lines of light fit before our
enraptured gaze; musing in tho roman
tic home of the ITouri, land where the
flowers neither fade nor die.
About 0 o'clock, the folding-doors of
the coronation hal-which was deckcd
with garlands, almost rivalling in beau
ty the looks of the fair makers, thus
rendering it perfect vista and fairy
land Of fowers-were withdrawn, and
the May Queen, surrounded by her
court, and seated upon u throne of
flowers most artistically arranged, was
disclosed to our admiring gaze. Her
maids Of honor, after appropriate
speeches, crowned her with coronct
not of gold or jewels, but of rose-buds,
tho "enamorcd sun beams smiles, "
which loving hands had plucked and
twined. Our pretty Queen, compress
ofthc passing hour" in whose face
WAS mingled with the ciild's light glce,
The modest madens dignity
| won all our hearts by the grace and
case with which she thanked her COM
panions for tho honor conferred upon
her, and issued her royal mandate
which was implicitly obeyed-that no
gloomy face should be seen within
those walls to mar the joy and mirth Of
others. She then descending from her
throne and giving her regal approba-
ton, and with her sunny smile she'd
ding tho purple light of love to the
marble check of youth and beauty,
Joined us in the dance. Music arose,
and with light and fancy step she
showed the true dignity of her station.
Tho giddy wllirl und excitement Of the
"galop," through the mazes OF Which
the ladies 1oate,l as airily as nymphs,
were only interrupted by, tho summons
to supper. A splendid collation. had
been prepared by tho managers in an
adjoining room, wllither VIC adjourned ;
and where the festive board gruaned
beneath tho weight OF every dclicacy
which our Southern cline could afford /;
willie cakes, candies, sugar-plums and
|jelies were heaped together in sucli
profusion that each one was uncertain
where to make the first attack. This
uncertainty, however, did not last long,
and soon the buzz of conversation
ceased, and expressive silence" reign
ed supreme.
We will leave the imagination to
conceive the sparkling wit, the morry
conversations, and brilliant repartees
which proceeded from the ruby lips Of
iadies-much moro beautiful than any
fbf Italia's far-iamed daughters. But
FIJI things earthly must have IN end /;
and though all were sorry to depart
from such scene Of gaycty and plea
sure, yet the inexorable clock struck
thehour for retiring, and allwore forced
to obey the unwelcome summons
Many were then seen returning home
| ,r;4h coma fair 0em 1IOon their arm