Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1866-06-18
For the Delaware Republican,

PORT PENN, June g. 1866.
MR. EDIToR lit was my good fortune to be
present at the picnic given yesterday under the
auspices of the young ladies Of the Hickory
Grove District, in the woods situated on the
road between st. Georges and Port Penn-a-
bout two miles of the latter plsce-belongIng
to Christopher Vandegritt Esq. Seldom has
it been my privilege to pass an afternoon so
pleasantly as did on that occasion. The day
was sufficiently cool to make it pleasant and
every care had been taken by the managers
that nothing should be left undone that would
add to the comfort and happiness of the seca-
sion. Large swings were conveniently arran.
ged in sufficient numbers through the woods
to give all who wished chance to enjoy that
healthfu pleasure. The little children whom
the young ladies did not forget, were out in
goodly numbers and to these the swing seemed
to have a special attraction and their smiling
faces and merry laugh fully attested to the
manner in which they enjoyed the sw winging.'
Large tables were spread, loaded with the
good things and decorated in style to COM
mand the admiration of all in attendauce-
The arrangement OF the tables spoke volumes
Ter the good taste aud handiwork Ut the young
lady managers. ConfectioneIies, Ice Cream
and fruits were served up in handsome style
by still handsomer walters. So many fairy
like beings dressed in robes Of puIest white
moving constantly among the assembled null
tituae freely distributing tho "sweets OF this
life, to all who would psrtake, almost caused
US TO believe that we had been waited to some
celestial world, or that the garden OF Eden had
again been restored to us.
The ST. Gesrges Band was in atten den ce
having kindly volunteered its services, ami
lent much to the pleasure OF the afternoon By
the richness of its music. Several popular
and spirited airs were played and keenly ap.
preciatcd, after which Rev. Fl. ]. Gaylord,
Pastor of the Port Penn and Delaware City
Presbyteriaa Churches, addressed the little
children for n few minutes in a.spirlted and
appropriate manner. The gentlemen then
were invited to escort the ladies to the tables
which agreeable task they performed in a few
minutes. Rev. Mr.. Gay ord then asked bles-
sing, af.er which all partook OF the refresh-
ments amid much pleasant conversation. In
the course OF an hour all had satisfied their
appetites, and the ladies anu gentleman quietly
stroed through the!grove, until called togeth-
er TO witness the Presentation. The krst wac
delicious pound cake, presented by the la
| dies TO the Band This was presented in a
at speech by Rev. II. J. Gaylord. The next
| presentation was beautiful boquet and wreath
| arranged by one of the most accom- plished la
| dies in our county. This was presented by
the Rev. Samuel R. Gillingham, pastor OF the
NJ. T.. Church at st. Georges. Both presenta
| tlous was respondent toi GU Tue part oi tue nahu
by John R. Boyd, Jr., in very neat and ap-
propriate little speech. Rev. Mr. Gaylord on
behalf OF the ladies presented the kov S. R.
Gilingham with fine cake and Mr.. Gilliug-
ham responded by presenting on the part OF
the ladies, MIR. Gay lot with another.
The band soon after played Rally Round
the Flag" and several other airs, when the
shades of night having come on, all returned
to their homes with the satisfaction OF having
passed An afternoon in great pleasure, know
ing that this pleasure was chiefly due to the
kind efforts OF the young ladies of Hickory
Grove District. | can not close without Civ
ing due credit to the efficient Efforts OF the
young men who were associated with the la
dies in the management of the Picnic in their
endeavors to perfect the arrangement of the
entertainment and nothing but the very great
attractions of their lady associates, could have
caused me to have SO long neglected them. D.