The New York herald., 1870-09-14
THE FRANCo-IRIsH PICNIC.

ssCoufus,op IN the German Arms, Drank in
Dcep Drnmghts Of German Lager-Frt,udly
Frntsrnizing OF the Celt and the |Gaul-
Mem0ries Of FOutenoy.
The Franco Irish picnic In aid OF the Nnd for the
relief of the widows and orphans Of French soldiers
killed in the pending European struggle; came on
yesterday at jones' Wood, and was an immense sue
cess. Owing TO the comparative haste with which
the demonstration had been organized and the par.
tIal and imperfect manner in which II seemed to
have been advertised, it was at first feared
that there would be but limited attend.
ance Of visitors But these doubts were
soon put 10 hight when the occasion actually ar
rived. IL would he OF course impossible to exactly
estimate the numbers present, but there must cer-
tanly at one time have been from i've 10 seven
thousand people on the grounds. When the accounts
finally made up, therefore, 1t IS TO be hoped that
q large amount win still remain In the hands OF he
committee for the worthy object they have en-
deavored to further.
Franco-Irish plcRic in New York must aim ost
necessarily be a good deal more Hibernian
than Gailic. This was certainly the case yes.
terday, IN immense majority OF the plea.
sure seekers possessing the handsomest or
Celtic features, and proving, both by their accent
and reckessness OF their fan, different from
the less noisy vvaciy of the French that they hal
ed from the Emerald Isle. Stul, there was more
than fair sprInkling OF Gauls and Canad ians as
the frequent CHEEKY French chat Of some sequester
ed group suficieay proved. The people In most
instances, however, perfectly succeeded frater-
nzlng. In this, various little concessions in the
matter OF attire greatly aided, the French largely
INDUCING In green neckiaes and fawns while the
Irish maidens Obsinately adhered To their own ma
uOnal hue, and some among them appeared in un-
mltlgated green dresses and bonnets, with gloves to
matcn
The amusements provided for the picnickers were
OF the usual harmless character. Dancing was Of
course the staple fun OF the day. and u couple OF
bands were kept going pretty well all the afternoon
In playing regular dances, wnle an aged Irish
fiddler furnished a number OF couples with the
musical basis for uproariously national jgs There
were also number OF amateur singers present,
who drew large detached groups round them while
or less volume and better or worse quail
y the sores .o,ot.., Of the grand old irish
battle OF Fontenoy, when French and Irish, fighting
shoulder TO shoulder, ANONYMOUSLY defeated the
saxon. Then there was good deal OF eating and
drinking and 1t curious to notice that the ami
mostly against Germans did not, by any means, ex-
,e .ena 70 Gefnan 1ni lager IL was as ratner TOO bad
the confusion OF the German arms. In these innO-
cent pleasures and in the enjoyment OF fresh air,
aud IN nirt1ng and holiday making generally the
day passed of very successfully There was very
little disorder, and scarcely any confusion except
what could scarcely have been avoided with such a
large number OF people.
AZ the day wore on the visitors constantly con-
quite late hour in the evening. About nigftfaii
some little amusement occurred In the large hall.
number OF people TOOK possession OF the floor, and,
marching up and down. not In regular order, but in
a confused mass, they tried to get through the Mar
seDaise, taking time from couple OF unmistak-
able Frenchmen. All such attempts proved
In vain, however, though now and then the
mob would successfully sing 'aux armesn
in concert And, after all, that is the
soul of the piece SO their labor was not al in vain
At the entrance to the Woods TOO, there slight
excitement ever the evening extras, which, as the
newsboys loudly proclaimed, detailed the partlcu-
lars of the latest French victory. There was rush
at first for the news, but II was evident from the
faces Of the purchasers that they found but little
comfort In their literary bargain.
There can be no doubt that the picnic was very
brilliant success. and 1t attests among how large q
section OF our population deep and sincere SYM
pathy exists with the French people their present
troubles.