Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1876-06-09

riDOOnt VpiyibB no vno """u'0u'" V"'"eey
Of our nation. In one division beautiful
little lady, representing the Goddess Of Lib
erty, borne in a car by young men, attracted
much attention.
Another division had little girl as God
dess of Liberty sitting in small wagon
drawn by boys A little brother and sister
represented George and Martha Washington,
and were dressed 10 the fashion Of hundred
years ago. Columbia was represented by a
little girl drawn in wagon by four boys
dressed as sailors Of l776 and 1876.
AT Prospect park was gathered one Of the
largest divisions consisting Of thirty.two
schools, numbering about ten thousand, to.
getber with the thousands of friends and
spectators who sweled the number TO quite
a small army. This being the place your
correspondent visited, will speak more par
ticularly Of the exercises here. Many Of the
schools came in at the main entrance near
Flatbush Avenue. On the grand Plaza they
formed thirteen abreast and marched into rank
singing the centennial hymn and other national
airs until they reached their headquarters
inside the nc.osure. The camping ground
was the large common near the main en-.
trance, and, containing about thirty acres, was
inclosed by rope inside were the schools,
spectators outside. This space is a beauti.
ful green sward or lawn with higher ground
along its margin, bordered with various
kinds Of trees, shrubbery and flowers. Each
school had a headquarter tent, and they were
arranged around the Enclosure.
Could any of the readers of the FARMER
have stood upon grassy knoll in Prospect
Park and beheld this scene, and looked
upon this living, moving panorama, he would
have said "wondrous, beautiful" and admitted
that pen could not do it justice. 1 find that
mine is inadequate to the task. The drive.
ways around the common we're packed with
hundreds of carriages both of the wealthy
and the less prctentiouS ones, while every
other available space was occupied by pedes.
trians, all eagerly watching the display which
was simple, and yet 80 grand and beautiful
10 the center Of the inclosure commanding q
good view from all sides was erected large
platform profusely decorated with Gags and
banners
Between two and three o'clock at the sig
nal Of 4 balloon let go the division formed
in order in front Of their tents, and at the
firing Of cannon, the centennial army com.
mcnced their parade in platOOus thirteen
abreast. Led by bands of music, they
marched around the circle, each school tax
ing its proper position in line as the other
marched by. The marshal was dressed il
the old continental uniform, followed first by
the little army Of girls representing the God
dess Of Liberty and the different states, eacl
carrying little silk flag. Then followed
the schools with flags and beautiful banners
OF all sizes and designs. As platoon afte
platoon of the army Of little girls fled past
most Of them keeping very good time to the
music and wheeling in regular military STYLE
they presented sight to our bachelor eye
they had never witnessed before and never
expect to see again. At another signal the
schools headed towards and centered around
the grand stand. Here led by the bands
the children assisted by older voices SAM
"Rejoicing To-day" centennial hymns ant
other national airs. As the multitude o.
voices rose upon the air and rang through
the little glens, one could but listen almost
entranced. After the exercises the school,
repaired to various places where Refreshments
we're awaiting them, and here Toasted upon
ice cream and pyramids of cake and oranges
What would some Of our little Vermont
scholars say if some bright afternoon they
could step out into green field and see ter
thousand children decorated with pretty
cOlOrs and all carrying flags, pass before
them, and twenty to thirty thousand grown
people there besides to look at them would
not their eyes open wide with wonder and
amazement? These schools were only FROM
Brooklyn proper, the eastern district better
known as WILLIAMSBURG not participating
Standing 10 Prospect Park in a position
over looking this little army of children and
the vast multitude of admiring spectators sc
orderly and interested, not disturbance wa
to be seen any where. As my eye ran ovel
this peaceful gathering thought and cOnject
ure were busy. What would be Transporting
here when another hundred years had
passed into eternityH Would there be an
other Sabbath school gathering to celebrate
another hundred years Of national existence
Not one Of this vast number will then be liv
ing. When half century shall hav
passed but very few will be upon the stag
of existence. Who shall predict aud predic
correctly This Park has a revolutionary
history but not all known. One hundred
years ago another army was gathered upOl
these same grounds. It was then the sCen'
Of strife aud contention, but incidents Of tina
time | will leave for the subject Of auOthe
letter, should you think it worthy of notice
aud this one does not prove tedious to your
readers. BACHELOR Harry.
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Canadian Matters.
CHANGED to be travelling in Canada o.
the oath of May. the national holiday Of n