Page 1 Advertisements Column 6

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 8, Issue 377, 4 February 1864, Page 1

WHITTLIN'GS. thit, pic-.nic. ■j “The innocent enjoyments of life should not i he contemn’d,” Pkabody. Arrived at the scene of enjoyment I turned into the barn, converted for the time into a refreshment room. Would I partake ofa glass of nine or a cup of tea? After my walk I was ready for a second breakfast, so, swallowing a cupful of the refreshing Chinese beverage, I hastened to the grounds, , where I found a number of pic nic ; ans already assembled round a large tent, and a a tall flag staff, which had been standing. * there since last New'Year’s day—l mean the pole, not tire tent. The arrivals followed fast upon each other in carts, drays, and gigs, on horseback and on foot. jTlie scene for the merrymaking was well chosen, being a smooth and sheltered grassy spot close to the hush, with the Mataraua stream winding between. Now (10 o’clock) 1 the green field is dotted wish gaily dressedgroups in various attitudes, part of Shakespeare’s Seven Ages are represented ’ here. The sun is shining brightly, and would he hot but for the cooling hre. z The sky is of that pure azure into which the gazer fancies he can see far up, and there are some glorious piles of silvery cumulus cloud towering high into the. cerulean heavens, like mountains of burnished silver in a sea of blue if the simile will do. It is really pleasant to lie on one’s back, and with half-closed eyes, watch the motions uud gradual transformations of those resplendent objects, es{ eci.dly when seen through openings in the darkly verdant tree tops, ami with the stream mumuring near you. But to decsend from cioudltimi. The' ground is already alive with moving figures for there are lively games going on in different, parts. Some are playing cricket, whilst a large portioh of lads and lassies are busy at rounders. What, peals of laughter floats on the sunny air ! What a combination of joyous sounds ! Wimt misanthrope could hear and see, and not be thawed 1 Time flows on as swiftly as the stream close by. The sun Ims passed the meiidian, and now the scene changes from an,active to a passive state- We have of a sudden become transformed into Turks ; at least, like them, \ye sit-tailor-wise on the fragrant sward around an immense tablecloth. But altho legs-are passive, tongues are active (excepting those to be eaten.) 'There is a Babel of tongues, or rather of sounds—for there is but one language spoken, notwithstanding the confusion. I can distinguish demands .for ‘ roast fowl and ham ’ ‘ custard ’ ‘ cherry pie ’ * strawberries and cream’ &c., followed by a cry of ‘help —help—police’, flora. Jacob Sobersides, who lias been simultaneously attacked by turn young nymphs, one of whom is endeavouring to appropriate said Jacob’s hat whilst the other purloins his untasted cherry-pie. Alas ! poor Jacob. Once more the multitude is engaged in active pursuits ; there's cricket, there’s rounders, there’s foot-racing among the boys, there’s kiss iu-the-ring on an extended scale, etc. «fcc. These are followed by a dance, a la Vicar of Wakefield, singing, &c., until near sunset, wheu all adjourn to the barn to partake of au excellent tea ; after which a few return home, but the majority remain to take part in the ball practice. Night has drawn her sable mantle over the festivities of the day, and now a new scene’opens. The ball-room although' it is not an old ancestral liuli, answers the purpose quite as well, being large and gaily adorned with evergreens and .flowers of varied hue, not forgetting the ominous miseltoe bough, which hangs suspended from a cross beam. ( This remarkable plant seemed on that nignt to have

lostits influence no ;ulvantage havi.ig been, taken under it) What with tasteful Aural decorations brilliant lights, ami gay dresses, the effect was pleasing The music was good,—Dancing and vocal music in solus, duetts, and glees, alternated pleasantly ; but. I'm bound to acknowledge that the dispose, of the dancers was faulty, the floor being generally so crowded that the dance became a meie tan ago. On the whole it was a pleasant gathering—so like a large family party ; indeed, I believe that fully two-thirds of the company were related, and all, with two or three exceptions, were old Acquaintances which shouldn’t be forgot. At a comparatively early hour I left in order to snatch a short sleep before breakfast. By this time the nhoon was flooding the earth with her silvery radiance revealing Second day of the Few Year. Have had three hours sleep. Feel somewhat drowsj', but am not cross. heel delighted with the last four-and twenty ihours. Have made friends again with my two enemies Dobs and Snobs. Have made acquaintance with and ui which lam proud. Feel in better health than I have done for the last six months. Two such parties in the year must be equal |to twelvemonth’s medicine. Lon’t like medicine so well as fun. Will always look Tack through the vista of life to the sunny spot of Ist January, 18(34. Sergeant Cockle, a very r< u o h blustering follow, once got from a witness more than ihe gave. In a trial of the. right of fisbt r |he asked the witness, “"Dost tlnm U>\ e fi-h?” “ Ay,” replied the witness, vith a gnu, “hut I donna like Cookie sauce with it.