Litchfield enquirer., 1879-09-04
The Gunnery Camp.


THE SECOND WEEK CAMP BROKEN, SEPT. 1sT.
 If we were convicted of capital crime and were permitted to select our own method of capital punishment, commend us to the capi- tai mode of exile to an cncampment like this. Since our arrival, we have not felt the slightest inclination to go beyond the confines of the lake. The very prospect of having to return to the noise and confusion, the camor and clalgor of the bustling city hundred miles away. fills us with unpleasant anticipations. But,
 'sif all work and play
 Makes Jack dull boy"
 all play and ne work makes him very use- less member of society. So we must take the recreation and enjoy it to it's fullest extent, and hope for a similar experience next year.
 This has been among the pleasantest of the many pleasant Gunnery encampments. There has not been much excitement, though quite enough to relieve the days from the impu,a- tion of monotony while the evenings have been full of genial enjoyment singing and dancing predominating.
 The number of visitors has been unusually large, both from Washington and New Preston as well as from Litchheld, Dr. Wiggin aL4d wife being among those from your village. Dr. Jarvie and wife, of Brooklyn, drove over from Marketable; and Mir. Black and wife and friends, from New Milford. In company with the latter was ''Shag," a rather remark ,,l, so 1,,fo k< make stir in the musical world. Mrs: Black is fine singer, and Shag is extremely fond of sittRg on the piano while she is practicing. With quick ear and ,,een apprehension he has acquired some of the rudiments of music, and and is already as proficient us clergyman we once knew who after forty year effort nearly succeeded in masterinythc simple meas ures of old ''Silver Street." Shag's tutor in- vited him to seat CD camp chair and sang the scale to him. Shag followed each note with startling accuracy until he reached upper F. This ''stumped" him little, and when he attempted to take G there was something very like mournful vail in his voice apparently at his shortcomings. The performance was a success, however, and we commend Shag to Mapleson for use on the Gerster off-nights The dog is not for sale, but Mapleson can get him on royalty.
 The singing by the camp fire has been va- ried by the debut of genuine son of the South-a twelve year old "contraband" from Richmond who lives at Ackerman's on the Lake. He exists under the formidable name of Major Hunt Captain Holman Colonel Jones General Stonewall Breckenridge, and is called Major ''for short" He is a eomical darkey with good voice and sings the cabin songs with unction. Some of his jubilee melodies are more humorous than spiritual, and indicate the extent of ignorance engendered, and al- most universal, in slavery days Major can initiate the bleating of calf and the quacking | of 0 duck in a manner to deceive the maternal progenitor of these respective annimals. l Each evening there are large number or visitors from Wilson's Norris, Beeman's, Hopkins, Carter's, Loomarwick, Ackermans and other summer boarding places around the
 lake, and many of the young ladies and gen. l tlemen take part in the dancing.
 There have been two entertainments also at Norris :; one rendered by the Misses Howard of Brooklyn, and the other by the occupants of Camp Royal whose tents are pitched near l those of the Gunnery. At the latter the lively music was furnished by the New Preston string orchestra, unique and unparalleled musical organization. The guests at Acker- mans also entertained portion of the Camp | CTS on Tuesday evening
 Two games of baseball between the Gunn- cry nine and nine composed of visitors in and near New Preston have been played, the Gunneryites beating their opponents, the self named "Lame Ducks" disastrously. A third game chosen from all the players was hand somely contested. Several innings were play | ed without runs for either side and the score I finally stood five to eight in favor of the side explained by Mir. Drysdale, tutor iu Colum- bia College.
 These and other amusements, including of course the trip to the Pinnacle, have made the ten days pass with lightning rapidity, and the breaking up comes too soon for all The final day in camp, Sunday. closed ap- propriately with religious service conducted by Rev. Dr. Wells of Southport. For month past, he and party of friends have been seeking health and recreation by camping first at the Twin Lakes and, for the last fortnight, 1 on the same point with the Gunnery campers. | Temporary seats were prepared and nearly two hundred were present. The array of teams drawn up to the neighboring fence gave one an idea of regular camp-meeting Quite large choir, organized for the occasion, ren- dered the several beautiful hymns chosen with excellent effect. After reading portion Of l the Episcopal service. together with the pray