Connecticut western news., 1871-09-22
'I Among the Shakers.


 the Lebanon Shakers, says: The Shaker settlement, founded Tn 1790, is remark able picture of neatness, and at the same time, romance. The tall, clean, sylnetrical houses dct along under the hills, and great flower and seed gardens show patches of brilliant color that contrasts with all the delicacy of natures artistic handiwork against the dark greens of the pines and spruces. Down the yil- lage streets may be seen squads of men and women vending their way to the meeting house, while now and then q load of believers roll in from Canaan, Brick Yard and New Lebanon families. There is no sound of church bell, but, borne along on the breeze, one may hear the tinkle of those at the Springs. The Shakers are not believers of noise of any description. In their houses they walk on tip-toe, are firm believers in Benjamin Franklin's motto, that Q door should never be slammed, and speak in subdued whispers. The meet ing-house is long and imposing build ing, some 150 feet in length by 75 or 100 feet in height. Along the side wall are arranged ascending benches for the accommodation of visitors, the males being seated on one end, the females on another. The floor fairly shines from scrubbing, and is waxed, as that of 0 ballroom. The male and female mem bers of the community are separated af ter the same fashion as the guests, and present very picturesque appearance. The women are dressed in 0 light gray stuff, spotless white kerchiefs around their throats, and the dantiest and most immaculate caps upon their heads. Here and there may be caught glimpse of fresh, young and beautiful girlish face, but as rule, the women are elderly and present comfortable, happy appear ance that savers but little of the ascetic save in the peculiarly waxy pallor of their faces, which arises more from the absence of meat from their daily diet than from any other cause. This pallor, though, does not extend to the men. They are sinewy sons of toll, and their hands and faces are bronzed and hardened from laboring in the fields. Like the women, they, too, are uniform ly clad in suite of homespun, and wear their hair in 6 peculiar fashion, the front being cut short, like that of the beau ties in Charles the Seconds merry days, while, behind, it is allowed to grow long and flowing. ...r
 Seated opposite each other, for some time, the men and women maintain a perfect silence Their hands folded, and on the face of each calm look of arises and speaks to his companions, allowed to meet together for another Go1> hou perfect that they are at peace with all men that so much peace has been ac- corded to them, and that prosperity has been given to the labor of their hands,
 One continued prayer, in fact, of thanks to the God whom we all, Christian, and Infdel alike, worship and recognize. As the speaker arose his companions have arisen with him, and when he has ceased, one of the number has started the first notes of hymn, and soon it is taken up by all tho number until it swells into one great monotonous chorus, accompa- nied by a shuttle of the dancing feet of the worshippers. The dance consists of one, two, three shuffle. and now and then, the dancers will stop, while one of them again returns thanks to God that so much grace has been granted to them. The faces of the spectators are a curious study during this performance. On some turks a covert sheer, and on others an almost irrepressible smile ; but, for the most part, they are marked by an interest, and, ill some cases, rev erence, that is very noteworthy. The thought is plainly visible that these casual spectators have been taught that, although the form of worship of the people before them may be eccentric and peculiar to their eyes, still it is earn est, honest, and evidently the offspring of firm conviction. The founders of the sect, so runs the Shaker tradition, were moved by the spirit in just this manner, and so their descendants follow out the doings of their ancestors.
 The singing and dancing concluded, benches are quietly brought, the broth CTS and sisters sit, and he who has been selected to deliver the discourse steps quietly forward on tip-toe, and begins to speak,. The discourse is delivered towards the visiting spectators, and is almost invariably defence of the Shaker doctrine. ....,r...... 2