| Citation |
VGW(RI.774.028
19 May 1774:42 (419)
On Monday the 2d of May was celebrated in Norfolk the
anniversary of Saint Tamminy, the tutelar saint of the
American colonies. At one o'clock a royal salute of twenty
one guns from a battery erected for the purpose, ushered in
the rejoicings of the day, and in the evening a grand
entertainment was given at the Mason's Hall by the sons of
the saint, to which there was a general invitation, and the
company exceedingly numerous and brilliant, consisting of
near 400 persons. At six, the ball was opened by one of our
worthy burgesses, in the character of King Tamminy, properly
accoutred in the antient habit of this country, at which
time another royal salute was given. The ladies, whose fair
bosoms on this occasion seemed more particularly animated
with a generous love of their country, indulged the company
with their presence till four in the morning; and after
their retirement, the sons of Saint Tamminy, according to
the immemorial custom of these countries, encircled their
King, and practised the antient mysterious war dance, so
highly descriptive of the warmest attachment and freedom of
spirit. The whole was conducted with the strictest decorum,
and to the universal satisfaction of the assembly; while the
cordiality with which the songs of the brother saints, St.
George, St. Andrew, St. Patrick, and St. David, entered into
the general mirth of the evening, gave particular pleasure,
and was truly emblematical of that happy union which has
long subsisted between the parent state and her colonies, .
. . [3 lines]
But should corruption, with despotic rage,
Seize the strong pillars that support the state,
Strain ev'ry nerve to pull destruction down,
To blend in ruins freedom and her sons,
. . . [3 lines]
Then let one spirit of a Brutus reign,
And martial sounds be music to each ear;
. . . [8 more lines]
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