The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-04-19
Virginia Fun and FI0IiC III the
Revolution.

Our American historians seem OPP
pressed by the dignity Of the subject"
more especially when they come to the
Revolution. The men and events of
the time are treated from the grandio>e
not toe familiar, point OF view and vet
this familiar and intimate view would
be better. Everyday life is largely
comedy, and ii is everyday life which
We wish to see, in order to understand
the drama and the actors.
There is great deal OF comedy III
the old Virginia annals. The society
was a merry and careless one, deter
mined, apparently, on enjoying life, and
this propensity to fun and froHc breaks
out in thousand directions. 1t even
appears in grave historical narratives.
Those of Bacon's rebellion. the stcrncst
Of tragedies, overflow with grotcsquc
humor; and the writings of Colonel
Byrd, of Westoycr, arc all ahlazc with
''jeuN d'esprit." Life, in fact, seems to
have been easy and happy III these
good old times" Care seemed TO
keep away from it, and to stand cut OF
its sunshine. The whole population Of
Virginia, from the sea-board 10 the
western mountains. was apparently bent
on enjoying itself. and driving away the
enemy ''ennui.' 1t Williamsburg the
Virginia Comedians arc acting comedies
at the old theatre near the Capitol, the
youths OF the college are fighting cocks
and playing tricks on the authorities :
and at night the Apollo Room Of the
Raleigh Tavern rcsounds With yiolins.
which We hear still in the comic letters
of no less parsonage than Mr.. Thos.
Jefferson, subsequently President of the
United Safes. elected from "Dcy.'s-
burg"
The frofiC instinct OF the tire break 5
out in the queerest diversions. In the
cold Field near Captain Bickcrton's in
Hanover there are to be held on 4
certain day festivities of every descrip-
ton. There is first to be holse-race.
that darling sport OF tie Nirginans !;
then hat is to be cudgclled for next.
twenty fddIers are 10 contend for 4
new fiddle, and at Inc end Of the con-
test they are ali 10 play together, and
each a different tune" After this ear
splitting ceremony twelve BOYS arc 10
run one hundred and twelve Yards for
hal worth twelve shillings quirc of
ballads is to be sung for by the mai,Iens
present; pair Of silver shoe buckles
are to be wrestled for and the prettiest
girl on the ground is to receive pair
of handsome silk stockings of the value
of a pistole. This is toward the middle
OF the century. y generation aferward
the Nirginians are still enjoying them
selves. At Norfolk the good people
celebrate the ''anniycrSarv Of St Tam
many, the tutelar saint Of the American
colonies" This saint, who is popularity
supposed to be of Northern origin and
residence, is evidently Southern saint
also. In his honor salute of twenty
one cannon thundrrs, and the sons of
the saint give grand entertainment
"A ball, which is opened by '-onc of
our bur@esses, accoutrcd in the ancient
habit Of this country''-lcgginss, moe
casins, war-paint, and all. 1t is IN oc-
casion of the fullest enjoyment The
fair bosoms of the ladies' are AM
mated with a generous love of their
country :" and at four in the morning
the sons of St. Tammany "encirclcd
their king, and practjccd the ancient
mysterious war dance" After which
grotesquc ceremony the sons of the
saint disperse.
This is on tide-water. On the Dor
der, in the Shenandoah Valley, the same
mirth marks the times The lower val
ley was settled by Scotch Irish Prcsby-
terians anal German Lutherlns, and
these good people breal, ont in the
widest trOliCs on occasions. When a
wedding take place the young men
''run for the bottle" that proceeding
being a stceple-chase toward the house
OF the bride, where 4 ribbon -decked
bottle of rum rewards the foremost. At
the wedding the groomsmcn are dec
Grated with badges and white aprons
beautifully embroidered" and wait on
tn p, bride. Their chief duty is to see
that her slipper is not stolen from her