578 KENTUCKY BARBICUE.
his happiness. How the viands diminished under the action of so many
agents of destruction I need not say, nor is it necessary that you should
listen to the long recital. Many a national toast was offered and accepted,
many speeches were delivered, and many essayed in amicable reply.
The ladies then retired to booths that had been erected at a little distance,
to which they were conducted by their partners, who returned to the
table, and having thus cleared for action, recommenced a series of hearty
rounds. However, as Kentuckians are neither slow nor long at their
meals, all were in a few minutes replenished, and after a few more draughts
from the bowl, they rejoined the ladies, and prepared for the dance.
Double lines of a hundred fair ones extended along the ground in the
most shady part of the woods, while here and there smaller groups
awaited the merry trills of reels and cotillons. A burst of music from
violins, clarionets, and bugles, gave the welcome notice, and presently the
whole assemblage seemed to be gracefully moving through the air. The
" hunting-shirts'" now joined in the dance, their fringed skirts keeping
time with the gowns of the ladies, and the married people of either sex
stepped in and mixed with their children. Every countenance beamed
with joy, every heart leaped with gladness ; no pride, no pomp, no affectation,
were there ; their spirits brightened as they continued their exhilarating
exercise, and care and sorrow were flung to the winds. During
each interval of rest, refreshments of all sorts were handed round, and
while the fair one cooled her hps with the grateful juice of the melon, the
hunter of Kentucky quenched his thirst with ample draughts of well
tempered punch.
I know, reader, that had you been with me on that day, you would
have richly enjoyed the sight of this national fête champêtre. You would
have listened with pleasure to the ingenuous tale of the lover, the wise
talk of the elder on the affairs of the State, the accounts of improvement
in stock and utensils, and the hopes of continued prosperity to the country
at large, and to Kentucky in particular. You would have been pleased
to see those who did not join the dance, shooting at distant marks with
their heavy rifles, or watched how they shewed off the superior speed of
their high bred " old Virginia1' horses, while others recounted their hunting
exploits, and at intervals made the woods ring with their bursts of
laughter. With me the time sped like an arrow in its flight, and although
more than twenty years have elapsed since I joined a Kentucky
KENTUCKY BARBICUE. 579
Barbicue, my spirit is refreshed every 4th of July by the recollection of
that day's merriment.
But now the sun has declined, and the shades of evening creep over
the scene. Large fires are lighted in the woods, casting the long shadows
of the live columns far along the trodden ground, and flaring on the
happy groups, loth to separate. In the still clear sky, began to sparkle
the distant lamps of heaven. One might have thought that Nature herself
smiled on the joy of her children. Supper now appeared on the
tables, and after all had again refreshed themselves, preparations were
made for departure. The lover hurried for the steed of his fair one, the
hunter seized the arm of his friend, families gathered into loving groups,
and all returned in peace to their happy homes.
And now, Reader, allow me also to take my leave and wish you good
night, trusting that when I again appear with another volume, you will
be ready to welcome me with a cordial greeting.