Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-03-06
For the Spectator.

'Far from thestorms which shake the great, f"
sang the immortal Cowper; and how oft we
feel that we would be happier could we re-echO
the exclamation, Although not so much retired
as one might wish, yet | am at present sojourn-
ing in very pleasant, quiet vicinity, where ev
cry one quietly plods ''along the even tenor of
his way"
The honest farmer makes an occasional visit
ito town., as we call your city of the hills,
to hear the news, pay his taxes, Or barters some
of the products of his soil for some of those
little articles (which are so numerous), for
his ''girls,
We never get much news here, except from
the Spectator and the L:conaaner of Richmond;
that latter paper has been suppressed, because,
we must admit, it did not hd7DaoRlzc very rap
idly, we are led to believe the doctrine, that,
''what is, is right" | do not know whether
we are being reconstructed very rapidly or
not, but most certainly we are doing very well
in the sho0 line, if that is any evidence of ''re-
construction.
Yes, my dear Mr. Editor, we have had sew
eral real shows as [ think they are Tableaux
Vivants and Charades have been given in this
place, much to the edifcation Of the fair dam
sells, and gallant yeomen Of this vicinity, which
reflect great credit on the managers, and actors
and actresses Several were given during the
Christmas holidays, which were very good in
deed.
AS announced, series Of entertaining Tab
leauX and Charades were given here on Friday
and Saturday nights, of last week, before Sc
lect audience, which filed the house. Tie
The characters in the various scenes and acts
were well sustained, and everything was got up
with considerable taste, The Middlebrook
String Band was in attendance, and discoursed
sweet and harmonious" music on the last
night. [ shall not attempt to give the pro-
gramme III detail, but will observe that it was
all very fine, and quite a treat, in the absence
of other shows, to we uns' of the rural dis
tricts, / noticed one thing very particularly
the disparity between the number of the ladies
and gentlemen present; this tells a silent tale
of the woe and misery which has been entailed
upon our land; it spoke to me in pathetic elo-
quence of the gallant sons of our Dear Fir-
ginia" whose feet have long since trod the
shores of that foreign land !; and alas there are
none to fill their places.
MIR, Editor, if you wish to have rare time,
Just come to the classic shades of West View
In full view of the North Mountain, with its gi-
ant peak Elliot's Knob, which is the highest
point in the State. rearing its gray, bald head
almost into the very clouds, And we have the
most glorious sunset scenes. AS the king of
day sinks to rest behind the mountain SUBMITS,
he leaves the beautiful Cirrus clouds in his
wake tinged with purple and gold, loylier by far
than has ever been portrayed on canvas. And
tncI SuCi pure uuiplu SUIodllS Vi Sparkling Nd-
ter: at this season of the year there is fine ice
for skating, but we Lords of creation have to
enjoy the fun alone, as our country girls have
never had time to spare in taking skating les
sons. Educated in an industrial and economi-
cal school, they devote their time mostly to
some useful employment, either Of the mind or
body. God bless them Itwas they who made
our uniforms to protect us from the chilling
blasts of 'old Boreas," while far away on the
tented field. Or ladies are as lovely as Hebe,
Psyche, or the celebrated women of Circassia,
and all they want is some inspired Adonis to
describe them.
There is large Debating Club here which
soon purposes agitating the question; ''Wheth-
er Virginia is State or an Indian territory ?''
[ think it is ON the fence at present.
Come out, Mr.. Editor. from your dusty sane
tum, and leave your paste and scissors and arm
chair to the care Of your Deui2, and with our
''shows, skating, fine views, natural scenery
and pretty woman, we will try and amuse and
interest you.
Stylo Mre1So,