Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-06-23
RIVER EXCURSION
A Pleasant Trip Around she Islands
Last Evening en- Board Ihe James
ID. Parker.

A Pleasant Trip Around the Islands
Last Evening en- BOaEd h James
ID. Parker.
Last night quite a large number Of in
vited guests participated in the river ex-
cursion gotten up under the supervision
and auspices of the ladies of the Linden
street Christian church. The party as
sembled on board Captain Bob Wise's
celebrated boat, the James D. Parker,
which steamed away up the river among
the islands on a pleasure trip. As the
boat left the wharf she presented a
beautiful spectacle. Her cabin was
brilliantly lighted up, and soft strains Of
music Aoated back Ger the waters to the
shores of the great Father Of Waters.
The Parker walked the waters like a
thing of life" and carried with her a
large number Of ladies who represent
the worth and beauty of the city. OF
course a crowd of gentlemen attended,
aud all went merry as a marriage bell.
The trip around tie old Hen and Chick.
ems, around the big bends and up to
Island 40, was a pleasure to all. Mum
bers of ladies and gentlemen stood on
the guards and occupied the hurricane
deck admiriug the darkeued woods on
either side and the iar-off shores Of the
mighty river. 1t was a dissolving view
Of nature, continually changing and pre-
senting beautiful and fantastic figures
like the kaleidoscope. Between the
twinkling stars above aud the ripping
waters below, a scene Of enjoyment was
witnessed on board the gallant
steamer. Soon the music called the
dancers to their feet, and at once the
contemplative mood gave place to a
more lively and joyous one. The cabin
was crowded with the votaries Of the
charming muse Terpsichore, and the
twinkling feet, merry laughter and the
fascinating whirling Of the dancers gave
the place a fairy-like appearance in pro
ducing a scene OF enchantment such as
we read of in Eastern tales. The poet
Praed has sung:
saw her at a country BALL
There when the sound of flute and fiddle
Gave signal sweet in that old hall,
Of hands across and down the middle.
Hers was the subtlest spell by far
Of all that sets young hearts rOmancing.
She was our queen, our rose, our star;
And when SHIT danced-ohl heaven, her
dancing"
And Tom Moore, in his Fudge Family,
carols as follows:
Dear creature; you'd swear,
When her delicate feet in he dance twinkled
round,
That her steps are of lishti that her home is
And she only par complaisance' touches the
ground"
Even the cynical Byron had to tune his
Tyre to the same subject-the waltz:
" Sir! she's yoursl From the grape you have
pressed the soft blue:
} From the rose you have shaken the tremulOus
lew.
What you've touched you may take. Pretty
Walter, adieu."
On returning the party assembled and
listened to a set of resolutions, drawn VI
by Rev. David Walk, pastor Of the Lin
den street Christian Church. The reso
l%utions we're in compliment to the boat
; its gallant Captain Bob Wise, and hi
gentlemanly corps Of assistants. Dur
ing the trip an elegant repast was spread
and was enjoyed as thoroughly as we're a.
. the other pleasant things incident to thu
= excursion. The sentiment of the ex
cursion party was, "Hurrah for tn
I Parker and her gallant commander"