New-York tribune., 1882-08-13

are MANY sucb present ut them indeed scarce any
and for obvious reasons. Were they to attend,
their place would be among the poor cottagers' per
chance their own laborcrs, in and around the sho"
tent 1t would be deemed presumption on their
part to enter the sacred precinct where those called
their be1ters also. have exclusive possession
Hence. naturally, and no wonder, their repugnance
TO appearing in an assembago so invidiously as
sorted.
The gathering at a cottage-garden show dlssolves
at an early hour; not breaking up en- ndsse put
gradually melting away. On the roads leadlhg
from IT may be seen the exhibitors going homewau
in groups. afoot of course. and bearing back ,pe
products exhibited some of them, the unsuccess'"
ones, rather down III the mouth. while the pr1%o-
winners will be highly jubilant. For they nave
pleasant expectation of something beyond 'ho piAo
already gained-sale of seed from the coh'''""''y
that has won it, at fancy price Ihese -
ones may feel less enviOus OF the carfiaso ,o'"'
also on return home, now and then "hli,ou P''.
them; ana less disposed to be angry az 'n' U'''
from wheels flung back in their taces'
Another kind of rural entertainment mueh III
vogne and which may be mentioned next in order,
10 the School Treat" 1t is tea gwen to the
children who attend the parish school, including
e ooed ,oor of both soxcs To all these II is free
the cost being betrayed by voluntary contribution
from the weather parisnioners. 1t takes place IN
the s,booroofn the children coming thither pro
vided with their own cups or mugs; for, otherwise
to get together such an array OF crockery were
somewhat difficult matter. The tea brewed III
kettles and thence transferred to large Jugs Is car
ried around and poured into the cups; bread and
tutter. with cakes, being the accompaniment.
Sometimes oranges are also distributed among the
delighted iuveniles. The officiating mattresses are
the young ladies' OF the parish, led by the parson
and young gentlemen occasionally apuear among
them to make the duty pleasanter If not lighter
At these festivals where the extremes OF yonth and
old age come into juXtaposition there VIII be
amusements of a suitable kind outdoor sports II IN
summer: and in winter displays OF the magic IAN
tern with rectations and songs accompanied by
the piano. They have rarely anything to do with
school examinations; being got up more for the en-
ioyment of the children, and perhaps Itlle by
way of pastime to the fashionable patroncssos OF
the entertainment. Another motive may be added
to make the school popular and draw pupils.
The school treat however IS not exclusive to
schools connected with the parish or Episcopaian,
church Dissenters have them as well, and often III
Grand degrees sectaran zeal railying strong 90 their
suDport The members of a NOnconfOrmist chapel
he it Baptist Methodist or Cvngregational-con-
tribute generously to the school treat either in cash
or the materials of The feast-tea, sugar, bread
butter and hOme-b baked cakes
With the Dissenting people, and almost special to
them, is another and kindred form of entertain
ment-the Tea-meeting," pW sang. 1t is usually
semi-annua one in summer and one in winter; on
each occasion attracting large aSsemblage. When
in summer the spread will be Out of doors IN some
picturesque spot chosen by the managing commit
tea sort of monster picnic. There Will be an ad-
mOnshing address by the minister who Drcsides
with HYMNS sung. Sports also are permitted, but Of
"a more gentle nature than the rough athletic games
of the Harvest Home For the minister sets his face
against such hgh jinks, above all against dancing.
still kiss in the ring" is allowable; under such
supervision being deemed Immediately innocent.
In winter the tea meeting is held in the chapel
schoolroom or where there isnone, or one not large
enough in the chapel itself Here again the minister
gives lecture oi admoniton, and there is hymn
singing with the modest accompaniment of har-
lnonium The grand organ is not yet an appanage
of many English Dissenting places of wor-
ship These tea meetings have a purpose apart
from mere amusement By the vest OF all
national laws the NonconformiSt faith OF England
not only rests on voluntary support. but its pro-
fessors have to contribute to that of Church and
creed antagonstic, and which they do not believe
in Hence every eXerticn Is required of them 10
maintain existence; and so admission to the tea
meeting is not free, but must he paid for-the pro-
cecds going toward the deirayment of chapel ex-
penses.
I had hoped in this letter TO conclude my account
of associate rural pastInes but looking forward to
the long array Of FoTesters' fetes," celebrations
of Odd Fellows" Ancient Shepherds" and
Club feasts" with "SchoOl Concerts" and
Penny Readings" l must ask indulgence and
space for another of the same"