The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-06-07
Origin of the Pic Mic.

There is perhaps no pleasure enjoyed
by greater number of persons, or more
frequently by the same individuals than
the popular custom which is known as
the pic mic. The term itself is derived
from the French, the original word being
"pique. nique," and meaning collection
of delicate eatables. This original word
is suggestive not only of the eatables
themselves, but Of the dainty manner in
which they were eaten. The custom of
the pic mic, however, is peculiarly sn
English institution. The primitive ides
suggested by the term was simply that of
an entertainment at which every person
who attended contributed an article Of
food. It was not essential by any means
that the entertainment should occur in
the open air, and the time when this
rural feature was introduced cannot be
ascertained with any definite precision.
Just at this season, when the pic mic is in
full blast, and the spirits of nearly every
body are in the woods, it may not be i'm
pertinent to indulge few reflections on
the subject:
Every spring, when the buds COM
mence to prophesy on the trees, and the
little forerunners of summer, leaping up
from the ground, begin to wander about
the woods, the mind, as it were, is drawn
by silent, yet overmastering influence,
into the realm of the honey suckle and
the hidden retreats of the daisy. The city.
becomes more and more commonplace,
and it's labors more irksome and oppress.
i've, as the trees begin 10 put on their
new livery and to array themselves in
that rich profusion Of beauty which God
has laviuhed upon their boughs. The
molten splendor of the season az 1t falls
unhindered from the soft blue sky, fails,
to impress us along the heated thorough
fares, where the rumble of traffic is con.
stantly heard, as it does In the velvet
quietude of the woodland haunts. The
impressions of beauty are here supple
mented by those of melody, for every tree
is vocal with the incantations of the
psalmist, and the currents of clear, rip.
pling water, threading their musical
way among the shrubbery, give out that
quiet and sc',l-refreshing harmony which
Bryant has called the "e.oquence Of
beauty"
Pic MICS, therefore, to certain extent
are inevitable. They merely serve to
crafty that love of nature which seems
to be implanted In every soul. To the
mind of q meditative person it is no tri-
fling assurance of the SOULS Immortality
that the heart never outgrows its respon.
siveness to the touches of spring and long
after it ceases to be the mirror of the
young and ardent natures that reveled
among its rich perfumes, it still continues
to exercise its withery upon the spirits
of the old who cling to the verdant sprout
and the green bough long after they have
passed themselves into the "sere and vel.
low leaf" The inclination of Wards
worth which impelled him in the direc.
ton of the fields, was not 80 much poetic
as it was human. The poet was mani
tested in the ease and huency with which
he sang of those Impressions which were
made upon the man. Regardless of age,
therefore, it is always pleasant when
spring has dulled the edge of the breeze
and scattered the wild flowers in every di.
rection, to lose ourselves in the cool of the
forest and listening to those mumurs
there beguile US into fair Arcadian
dreams, inhale into our spirits the varied
and beautiful suggestions of tho year.
This fully explains the universally, or
rather, since the Churches have adopted
it, the catholicy, of the pic mic. But an.
other reason for its popularity is found
| in that prime recommendation, economy.
Happily, pic MICS are not very expensive,
as prior consideration. The woods are
near at hand and the outlay of only few
cents to cover the cost of transportation,
together with a basket, we'll supplied
with hunger's antidotes, will enable any
one to enjoy pic mic to the fullest e1-
tent. The poor as we'll ss the rich can
avail themselves of this luxury, and un-
der the cool, protecting foliage of the
oak, which yields to them grateful
shade, without favor or discrimination,
they can overlook the inequalities of life
and feast with perfect satisfaction upon
the offerings of the season. All distinc.
tions of rank are completely effaced in
the cool democracy of the woods, admon.
| ished by the calm and digni6ed tranquil.
ity which breathes throughout their soil.
tude, all chickering's and animosities are
silenced. The common origin and broth
erhood of alone are felt, as there riddiDg
ourselves of our importance, We endeavor
there to forget the labors of the world
and nestle close to natures heart.-At
lanta Constitution.