| Citation |
IL.779.011
26 Feb 1779:22,23,31 (1/42)
To the printer of the Pennsylvania Packet. . . from a
foreigner to a gentleman in this city . . . [a description
of the celebration at Pluckemin on the 18th of February. 1
column.]
I had, till now, only seen the outside of the academy.
It was raised several feet above the other buildings, and
capped with a small cupola, which had a very good effect.
The great room was fifty feet by thirty, arched in an
agreeable manner, and neatly plastered within. At the lower
end of the room was a small enclosure, elevated above the
company, where the preceptor to the park gave his military
lessons. This was converted into an orchestra, where the
music of the army entertained the company. . . [25 lines]
When the fire works were finished, the company returned
to the academy, the same room that had served to dine in
served to dance in, the tables were removed and had left a
range for about thirty couple, to foot it to no indifferent
measure. . . [7 lines]
The ball was opened by his Excellency the General. When
this man unbends from his station, and its weighty
functions, he is even then like a philosopher who mixes with
the amusements of the world, that he may teach it what is
right, or turn its trifles into instructions.
As it is too late in the day for me to follow the windings
of a fiddle, I contented myself with the conversation of
some one or other of the Ladies during the interval of
dancing. I was particularly amused with the lively sallies
of a Miss *****, asking her if the roaring of the British
lion in his late speech, did not interrupt the spirit of the
dance? Not at all, said she, it rather enlivens; for I have
heard that such animals always increased their howlings when
most frightened. . . [10 lines]
If I have looked on the whole sex with an equal eye of
observance, I here confess the atrocious philosophy; and
were it not too late, I should wish to lead down the
remainder of the dance with so sweetly vivacious a partner.
But, alas! my dear friend, you will soon find that sixty is
a better security against the hot-spur passions of man, than
those beautiful isicles that Shakespeare tells us are curled
of purest mow, and hung up "on Diana's temple," for the
benefit, we may suppose, of her chaste attendants.
I do not recollect that I have ever been more pleased on
any occasion, or in so large a company. There could not be
less than sixty ladies. . . [19 lines]
You have obliged me so often, during the course of my
little tour through the Eastern states, with histories of
city feasts, city balls, and city exhibitions, that I
thought I could do no less than send you a description of
one, at which I enjoyed so much rational pleasure. . .
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