Litchfield enquirer., 1879-01-02
New Preston.

New Preston.
 It seemed once, as no festivities were men toned for the week, that we were destined to suffer a rigid, prim and formal real blue law Christmas; but happily, the holidays have been full of pleasant occasions. First in order was readings and recitations by Miss Annie Lancashire in the church, Wednesday night, intersperced with musical selections by the Musical Union. Although the public's ex pectation had been raised to a high pitch it was not disappointed, for all remembered that a few months study is insufficient to do the work of years perseverance; and those quali- fled to judge affirm that there was marked im- provement in control of voice, modulations tones, and other ct cRterG of elocution To us it seemed as if she flung a great deal mere art into, ans allowed herself to be carried formerly. Perhaps knowledge of the art may have given her caution of performance, as it did the blacksmith whom Velpean sent to the university at Paris to study surgery, who, tho he understood nothing of the art had per formed several amputations of limbs and had cut an enormous wen from lady's head with the dexterity and good results of skilled sur geon. Two months afterwards Velpeau hap pening to be in the same village again took occasion to inquired after his friend the black smith, when, behold! he was at his stithv again. To the surgeons question why he was thus at his old trade instead of becoming surgeon, he replied, ''Why, you see, went to Paris, and studied, got acquainted with the skeleton, with the bones and ligiments It was very well. I mastered most of the muscles. It was better. They said I picked up everything marvelously quick. Then I began at the ar- teries My faith, it was terrible!" Here the blacksmith passed his horny hand over his forehead, and wiped of perspiration rising from horror, and not from labor II began to see that I had narrowly escaped committing murder fifty times. I remembered my uncle, whose crushed thigh amputated within two inches of the hip joint l used the actual cautery te the femoral artery. If it had fail ed he would have bled to death like an OK. Let those who will, operate, will not"
 And it seemed as if she felt that if she did not follow art to the hairs breadth the effect would be lost, and the selection murdered. Still she did exceedingly well, and everybody felt we'll paid for attending. The pathetic piece After the Battle," was powerfully ren- dered. More than one eye was dimmed by peculiar moisture. It was the best of all we thought. "How we Hunted the Mouse" was the numerous piece that brought down the house. It was good They were all good. and we hope she will favor us with another reading sometime She has talent, and her path in life lies clear before her. We ought to say word about the good singing, especial ly some solos and quartets, but space is valu- able and we can only say that we are aston lshed at the home musical talent we have Next in order was the Literary" at Upson Seminary. A very happy crowd gathered there, Thursday night. to listen to the varied exercises, which consisted of readings decla- | nations, and vocal and instrumental music. Miss Lucy Lemon read "Jims Wedding" an ! humorous selection from Seven Oaks, in happy manner. Poe's Bells" was .ecited sat- isfactorily by Miss Gussie Cogswell, &c., &c. After the literary exercises there was ''feast of wit, and flow of soul," and
 "Toil remiting lent it's turn to play,
 And all the village train, from labor free, Led up their sports "*
 And still, as each repeated pleasure tried, Succeeding sports the mirthiu band inspired.' And so the evening wore itself away, and we went home knowing we had spent profit able as we'll as very pleasant evening.
 On Friday night Rev. MT. Pogson's lec- ture, ''The Star of Temperance" was largely l attended. It was better lecture than his last one here, if that can be. His glowing, graphic rhetoric, and forcible, vivid oratory, powerfully stir mems minds. He pertrays scenes with startling distinctness gives beautiful thoughts in beautiful language, and impresses all upon the minds of men with the indeible stamp of genius. He is an orator in the fullest sense of the word. It is expected he will come again.
 ] -Heury Brown, becoming excited over the