The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-01-21
ADJUSTMENTS IN MARION.

JPRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT
CHARLESTON, January 16.
As yours is emphatlcally 'live" paper, I
doubt not you will consider me genuine old
fogy for sending you now an account OF what
happened nearly two weeks ago, but even at
the risk of having my letter tossed Into the
waste-paper basket 1 nrst tell you OF
pleasure which is still vlvidly remembered. l
sbould have done 80 earlier but for absence
from home. opine that the old provera, "a
rolling stone gathers no MOSS" Is true IN
letter rather than spirit, for we perlpatetics
certainly pluck the flowers of pleasure some
times, as was abundantly proven by my ex-
nerience In Marion last week. Called TO that
primitive little town by business, and detained
there all night, followed the crowd 10 Inc
courthouse, where understood some puoiic-
spirited ladies and gentlemen were 10 noid a
concert, &C., In furtherance Oh cnaTi'aois hs
enterprise, I went solely because l mao
nothing else 10 do, and was astonlshed ana
delighted at the character OF the entertainment.
II opened with performance from an
amateur band, which / have rarely neara
surpassed in taste and sweetness, anG
this was followed by very beautiful
tableau, representing an Eastern slave mar
ket. Surely the most fasLidious Musselnan
alive might have filed his Harem from that
group of dark-eyed H0uris. OTHERS followed,
ali more or less beautiful, alternating Win un-
commonly good vocal and instrumental music.
I was particularly struck with tenor voice
among the singers, as being one Of the richest
and fullest / ever heard, and my experience
in such matters Is by no means limited one.
It seems ungraclous to discriminate where all
was 90 agreeable, but must say that the
flnest tableau of the evening, and, Indeed, the
fInest ever saw, represented an incident 10
Ihe early lie of Peter the Great. The most
prominent figure was bis motner, oeauIIul
Sgeman. crowned and jewelled, who stood be-
fore an altar in an attitude OF wonderful grace
and dignity. l know that South Carolina
ladies are all born queens, but conslder tnls
Czarina the finest specimen OF "the blood
royaln have ever seen. Not being familiar
with details OF even republican toilettes,
shall certainly not attempt to describe
oneen's: suffice 1t 10 say che was dazzling
Old as am / envied the soldiers at her ieet,
who even In mimic foray, had died for 80 talr
and gracious sovereign. They, as well tne
living soldiers, were In positions, and wore
expressions that could not have been lmprov-
ed; and as for Peter. venture 10 say t1e
ilerce old carpenter never looked hall
as much like prince as the gal
lsnt little fellow who represented him
that evening. will not intrude upon
your space 30 far as to describe all enjoyed
that evening, mucu ae -! WVuiu hno w ui,o'o
upon poetic Idea, beautifully carried out In
scene illustrating the purity and power OF
Christianity; some fine scenes from the we'll
known story of "Blue Beard;" a fine comic
scene-"Walking OF the wall;;" and game OF
chess, which was finely acted. did not learn
the name of the handsome young fellow who
was checkmated, but he does not look as
though his role in life would be losing one.
The performances ended with charade, Illus
tratirp the slrong-minded tendencies of our
Northern sistera, the principal part Of which
was supported by gentleman who would be
a capital comedian with little practice. II
was announced that equally as good pro-
gramme had been prepared for the next eve,
Ming. and with unfegned regrets that could
not attend, went back 70 my hotel, a wiser"
but not ''sadder man." more convinced than
ever Of the folly ofjudging from appearances;
talent. though they certainly do not show 1t 10
building their houses and paving their streets.
SENEY.