Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1873-09-19
For the Sentinel

IL d. WIN,
Gen Deputy Of National Grange.
For the Sentinel.
Mr. Editor, This delightful weather is con-
ducive of ncighborly feeling, and as your val
liable paper is extensively read throughout
this section. think it only appropriate TO
keep you posted relative to our doings.
The monotony Of our neighborhood has been
relieved for the past few days by the holding
of the Annual Fair and Festival Of st. Johns
Church, in this immediate vicinity. A more
lovely season could not have been chosen
the weather was most propitious-the ntmos-
phere partook Of that freshness of Fall-with
that mist to the careless eye so like, and TO the
observant eye so essentially unlike the blue,
melancholy haze of the Indian Summer-rest-
ing like promise of beauty, and hanging like
n vale of enchantment over each scene, making
every outline, and clothing all things with q
loneliness that charmed the senses like the
draught of fairy elixir; If, indeed, we do not
dshonor Nature by such comparisons, for
what fairy elixir could be half as full Of deli
shine, her palest sunset-the last flicker of her
shadow upon such scene
need scarcely inform your readers that it
was n grand success, both socially and in all
its appointments, and financially in all its re-
turns. The annual occurrence of our Festi-
walls, &c, marks a grand epoch in the new era
of our society. Exactly whittier we Ameri-
cans are drifting in our sports it is not easy to
say with entire certainty. We are in all APP
pearance much merrier than twenty or thirty
years ago, and besides enlivening these re-
unions, we are coming in contact with the Ma
tional festivities of Europe and feeling the
touch of Latin and Anglican Catholicism and
of German music and muscle
Although several private residences were
rendered to the Committee appointed for that
purpose, which were unexceptionable, both as
regards beauty ofsurroundings, and umbra
geous adornments, yet there were objections
offered to them, and to satisfy all, their pas
to-, most judiciously, Tin such dilemma) Sc
lected the ground Immediately adjoining the
Church, beautiful spot-but owing to its
close proximity to the city of the departed,
precluded the idea of having music, &C., much
to the chagrin of the junior visitors who were
DESTROYS of
Gripping the light fantastic" &c.
Agreeable to previous invitation we wendell
our way to the grounds on the evening of
Wednesday last. Taking our stroll we were
greeted upon our first entrance to the grounds
by the little dark-eyed houri of the well-who
admirably enacted the character of Rebecca,
and surrounded by number Of admirers, each
vieing with the other for the service of seven
years bondage. Among these gallant youths
our attention was attracted to one city SWain,
who was most assiduous, much to the
apparent disgust of one who would have
dyed in her behalf. For our own part,
we are free to say that if Rebecca, in days
gone by, gave to Jacob such a refreshing
draught as we drank at this WE'LL we are not
surprised that he should have tarried thus
long.
Continuing our walk we came to the stand
presided over by one, who, owing to her at
tractive charms, &C., and the delightful viands
she was dispensing, understands most admira-
bly, the knack of boring the pockets of her gen
tlemen friends. Next we come to an assort-
ment of the taste and ingenuity displayed by
the ladies of the Parish (Embowered in a
fairy sceue-the handiwork of that inventive
genius--a native of Cardinals sunny cline,
and who has proven herself SO pre-eminently
successful in framing the young idea and teach
ing it how to shoot Surely she has been nell
called for her mission y This stand has been
favored as the sands of the painless ocean, but
we are not at all surprised when we take into
consideration the attractions of its fair occu-
pant, who was arranged with scrupulous ex-
actness-no meretricious additions-but con-
forming as closely as possible TO her graceful
carriage, au aatUrel. Was not that the style
in which Grecian beauty was wont TO adorr
itself-in the days when Grecian art gave tc
mankind the peerless statues destined through
future ages to 'Enchant the world 2'' Turn
| ing aside we observe the fountain which dis
pensed forth not 6ropn-stout, nor still the wa
ter of that Floridan spring, which is said &c
impart youth and beauty TO those who imbibt
its waters-but that efervescing Ga Creme
which assuages and exhilarates without any
pernicious effects We were then attracted
and partook of the more substantial viandsi
which not only gave universal satisfaction, but
satiated the appetites of the hungry, and de
monstrated TO a certainty that its occupant
believed in the old motto, Eat and be merry,
and whose cuisine was perfect in every respect
This was the universal plaudit of every habi-
tue OF the place.
We must not omit to mention the Concert
especially that of sacred character. The
thanks of the Committee are due to those tai
ented singers from Washington, who kindly
volunteered their services for this occasion.
As we entered the Church the tones of Cab
met organ fell on the ear, and in the midst OF
a hush so deep that it could almost be felt, one
pure and liquid voice rose and sounded aloft
in the sublime ''Gloria" of Mozart. In all