Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-11-27
rHE RICHMOND DISPATCH-TUESDAY. NOVEMBER u, 1894

have seen nv the first proclamation. In
appointing the day, they enumerated care
fully the particular reasons ior tnanh-
fulness Once, Charles III. had maze
gracious answer 10 their late ADDRESS 10
his Majesty: once Dutch squaoron.
which threatened their coast, nad oeen
diverted. and once that King Philip was
dead. and the horroible Indian war OF
massacre and torture was over.
Truly our forefathers had causes Tor
Thanksgiving and rejoicing!
But those worthy ancestors thought 1t
wise TO season Joy with lamentation. and
I'm those days they seldom set apart n day
for general thanksgiving without at the
same time appointing one to follow or
fasting and humiliation, and so the OBJ
scryances come down to us through years
OF JOY and sorrow.
At somewhat later date a stirring SER
mon on public questions in the old meet
ing-houses was always attended by every
person In the colony; not a soul In the
house was kept from morning service on
Enthusiastically, for the minister was
expected to express his views freely con-
corning the politics OF the country and
the state OF society generally in a secu-
lar way not deemed appropriate for the
Lord s-day. Soul-stirring, old-fashioned
hymns were sung, and the people sang
Justify, led by one OF the deacons with
a tuning-fork; the singers roared and
scared. gaining fresh yigor with every
attack and stormed the citadel OF Heaven
more valian,ly after each melodious on
slaught.
Then followed the dinner, which needs
no further eulogy. The Thanksgiving tur
key, which we have seen make its histori-
cal appearance In the days Of Brewster
and Standsh Is here. bursting with fat
ness. and the pumpkin-pies. which appear
on the board are but the first signs of a
plentiful harvest. 4.
We do not know Just when the Thanks
giving ball began to be an established
institution, but 1t was not as late as we
might imagine. 1t was the great social
occasion OF the year. and with what
zest IL was prepared fort what fiutter
among the young men and young women!
What speculations az to who was going
with whom. what making of new gowns
and trying OF new fashions!
They used TO dance, too, those sturdy
descendants of the Puritans, from 8
o'clock at nightfall till daylight next
morning. and be none the worse FOR IT,.
They danced as heartily az they prayed
I'm those days; there was no languid.
gliding waltz or frollcsome german. but
cotillons and contra dances were stepped
out energetically by feet as vivacious as
they were accurate.
Another chronicler writes Of the end
ing OF the festivities in a blaze Of glory:
The young people for miles around as
sembled and erected the tallest pole to
be procured. built at its base a wide
platform, from which lowered a pyramid
OF barrels. sloping to a well-tarred barrel
at the top; this pile when ignited lighted
up the whole vicinity, and the scene was
one never TO be forgotten
So much for the old-tme Thanksgiving.
The changed present IL with us: 1t Is
national holiday. and each and every
one Of the citizens Of the United States
observe 1t as he or she sees tit.
The cities are astir with preparations
for the games OF football or golf held
in its outskirts. or for the special thanks
giving matinee at the theatres. Tho
Thanksgiving ball Is out of date, and
the Thanksgiving sermon much neglected.
The dinner is hurried through In order
not TO be late at the place Of amuse-
ment. and. for the real home-gatheringS
and domestic joys Of the Observance Of
the day we will have TO look to the
country fresides Of New England for its
honored pcrpetuation. CHLOE.