The Republican journal., 1877-12-20

Correspondence of the Journal.

--N>N - S'N'A
recorded than the last determined effort |
to aid the Old South. Fairs have be- |
come so prevalent and positively annoy
ing that much trepidation was felt when
the spirited ladies of New England de
vised the plan of a fair to raise the neces-
sary funds to retain the battered relic
seemed almost too bold a competitor
but still, a woman will win if she wills it,
and in this particular instance the YER
diet is altogether in her favor a sight
of the old meeting house to-day would
send those silent worshipers of century
gone back to their graves, thankful that
God had spared them association with a
generation that could wilfully bedeck His
temple in such ball room attire. The
outside of the old church resembles an
overgrown Santa Claus. A hedge Of
evergreen trees has been planted com
pletely around it, and on either side of
the walk leading from the street to the
entrance. The miniature forest in the
space above the belfry makes most lux
urious face trimmings for the untruthful
old clock, which has long been honored
for venerableness rather than veracity.
The wonderful bridge connecting with
the Transcript building is not thing of
beauty, but looks as if the contractor
might have had visions of the late Black
stone Square disaster constantly fitting
before him as he so strongly fashioned it.
That, too, is handsomely decorated with
flags, notices and evergreens. The very
gala appearance Of the outside invites in
ward inspection, and the extremely low
price OF admission, only twenty-five cents,
keeps a continual line moving toward the
entrance. Once inside, every vestige Of
the cold South meeting house" is swal-
lowed up in the elaborate display Of many
hued articles and unique designs in dec
Grafton.
At the further end of the church, on the
gallery floor, is situated the homestead of
Elizabeth Goose; quaint, cosy little cot
tage, where the veritable Mother Goose
performs some Of the startling things re-
lated in her history, long familiar to iu-
venile readers. "Ding dong dell" an
nouncing ''Pussy in the well" brings tears
to the eyes of the little ones; and ''Hump-
ty Dumpty, sitting on the wall, lis ioyfully
recognized as an old friend. Mrs. Whit
ney, the popular writer, has charge of this
most novel attraction, and constantly de
lights her many visitors with new wonders
on the goose question. 'Aunt Tabitha's
spinning bee in the annex, is also well
patronlZed, and causes much genuine fun.
The old lady is fully equal to the situa-
ton, and plies her busy wheel and tongue
at a tremendous speed. A breezy little
daily paper, wearing the appropriate name
"Dial of the Old South Clock" is one of
the most pleasing features of the fair. Rare
contributions from our greatest poets and
writer's are constantly appearing, and the
sprightly editor, Miss Susan Hale, is gain
ing immense popularity in her vocation.
The Post Office, always indispensable to
such an entertainment, is a grand eXcep-
the most classical appointment of the
whole. Letters in every language, orig
inal poems, suggestive Of the fair from
BOston's lteratus, and occasional bank |
checks, have entirely supplanted the |
trashy matter usually written in the |
style and at the rate Of machine poetry. |
and make most valuable souvenirs. Raj |
fes are plentiful and enticing, compris- |
ing everything, from passage ticket to
Europe to dolls cradle quilt. 1t would |
be impossible to describe or enumerate |
the articles useful ornamental, rare and |
antique displayed; but it is safe to say
that every industry of our country and |
many from others are in some way rep |
resented The loan collection comprises
contributions Of the choicest gleanings |
from all parts of the world, and is the |
finest ever on exhibition. a gun one hun |
dred and fifty years old is to be voted to
one OF the marshas in attendance. \ doll |
in full widows weeds, and one hundred |
and thirty-two years of age, is to be seen |
for ten cents. a silk quilt contains one
thousand squares. A centennial mat,
braided of silk, by lady over eighty, is
reported one hundred and fifty years old.
An antique India copperplate curtain,
said to be the first brought to America,
is still in possession of its bright tints, in
spite of the one hundred and ten years
of fading The New York table has a
regal collection from Tiffany & Co., and
to crown it's most distinguished attrac-
tions Miss Clara Louise Kellogg presided
through Friday evening Such an at
traction was most remunerative to the
enterprise. Saturday evening the Gov
enor and staff and Mayor Prince were
present. 1t is rarely one has the oppor-
beauty and culture as is mingled at this
fair. The very cream of New England
society has planned and worked for the
salvation of the old landmark, and ap-
pears at the vast undertaking, with busy
brains and hands, to perfect the noble
deed. The people seem inspired by such
enthusiasm, and generally respond in
every way possible to forward the cause
Although the total receipts have already
to over 100000, there seems
to be not the least perceptible change in
the beauty and vastness Of the collection
A constant increase of goods from local
dealers shows how friendly is the feeling
toward the object, when it cannot fail to
largely interfere with their Christmas
trade. The sumptuous cafe is daily sup
I |