The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1907-08-31

! A"Aihooo poCu "ulCu gave him lis
name. The Rev. George Ellis en-
llghtened us on themes of early
American history. Col. T. w. Hig-
ginson unearthed fer US the veritable
diary of a Newport belle of 100 years
| ago. Memorable was lecture on
Aristotle, given by the late Prof.
| Davidson. The interest of this was
SO great as to lead to more than one
especial gathering for the discussion
OF the various directions in which
THIS greatest of those who know"
led the intellectual advance of the
world.
Leaving for the moment the pur-
heus of Newport town, let me glance
a little at summer festivities in the
rural districts. In this connection I
recall a dance on the green, the grass
closely clipped for the occasion. The
time was golden September; the com
pany "a dozen intimate heads of fam
lilies, with their young people, the
music AN -old-fashioned fiddler with
his instrument. On this smooth
sward the waltz, FATAL" some French
writer says, ito good dancing" can
not well be managed. But lancers
and portland fancy succeed very
we'll The time chosen is the very
heart of the lovely autumn day.
Papas and mammals sit cheerfully in
pleasant n1ingling Of sun and shade
and recall their own days of friski-
ness. But when the Virginia reel
is called their feet refuse to keep
still. They take hands and join in
the mirthful exercises until they are
we'll tired out and by no means un-
willing to taste an excellent "bouilla-
baise,' which is served, piping hot,
under the shelter of the oaks and
naples.
| Shall L go back little further and
recall real dance in barn?" Not
the gymnastic which figures under
that name in a modern ballroom, but
a feast given by city lady of SO
years since to celebrate the compile.
ton of a new barn on her country
estate. She sends her invitations
through the village carpenter. He
asks whether he shall invite old and
young. She replies, "By all means,
and the more the merrier.''
So, at shutdown, the rustic neigh.
bors appear. The barn is lit with
lanterns and adorned with green
boughs. The tables are spread with
substantial viands. The air is redo
lent of the fragrance of hot coffee
In corner stands the fiddler and a
call is made for partners. Farmer
B. suggests that cousin Bob might
bring his bass" and so the 'cellc
lends it's dignity TO the occasion. The
country folks execute their steps
with great good will. At intervals
they unite their voices in song:
Last Tuesday night the wind was
west,
There was "a husking in the east
And so on and so on until the rura;
limits of frolic time are reached and
the barn is left to its future ,estate
of use.
The extension of camp life in oul
country is a very encouraging sigr
of progress. The breath of the woods
is fresh and invigorating and the
simple labors of the camp, shared
among it's inmates, afford a lesson i1
the direction of that plain living
which is said to be condition OF
high thinking. The summer camps
4 for boys, which have so multiplied OF
late, provide abundantly for the ex
} which renders the youngster whe1
"cabined, cribbed, confined a, terror
to orderly households.
What a camping out was that il
which Emerson, the elder Agassiz
;. and Lowell, with chosen company
of friends, took refuge in the Adiron
dack solitudes! William Stillmen
who planned and conducted this out
ing Gin the grand style,''7 has Spoken
of it at some length in his recently
published "Reminiscences It al
ways remained in his mind as one o.
:: the greatest events in his seventfu
life. Mr.. Emerson was moved tt
: celebrate. this excursion in. "a poem
! which, once had, with other friends
I the pleasure of hearing from his owl
\ lips AS he read the now we'll known
i Lines his face was lit up BY pleasan,
b recollectidns. and he even quoted
Z With humor the boatman's comment