CAMP-MEETING. 185 



likeness to a valued friend in Scotland ; and while engaged in 

 tracing the resemblance, feature by feature, she and a younger 

 companion jumped into a waggon, and seated themselves in a 

 conspicuous situation, as if wishing to attract attention. On 

 walking round the square, I was riveted to the spot by the 

 sweetness of a young lady s voice, dressed in white, with a 

 very broad gipsy straw-bonnet, and black veil hanging over 

 her shoulder. Her figure was above the middle size, slender 

 and graceful, her features expressive and handsome. She was 

 accompanied by another lady, wearing a bonnet and veil of 

 the same description, and a gentleman, seemingly her sister 

 and brother, and all were engaged in singing. From the ap 

 pearance of things, I concluded the people had a short time 

 before been engaged in taking tea. 



A little while after entering the square, five or six old men 

 placed themselves in front of a rude platform erected for the 

 preachers, and commenced singing in a loud strain, on hear 

 ing which the different small parties came and joined the old 

 men. The singing lasted about ten minutes, when praying 

 succeeded, and each individual pronounced a different prayer 

 aloud. At this time a minister placed himself on the plat 

 form or pulpit, and in a stentorian voice, ejaculated an impas 

 sioned prayer, which, by degrees, excited the feelings of the 

 people below him, and when they reached what he, per 

 haps, considered the proper key, he descended and joined 

 them on his knees. 



I was standing close beside the worshippers, on a trough 

 used for collecting the juice of the maple in spring, leaning 

 my back against a tree, and gazing on the extraordinary 

 scene. Many individuals of both sexes were bellowing at the 

 utmost pitch of their voice, and clapping their hands in seem 

 ing transport ; others were whining supplicatory strains, and 

 wringing their hands in despair. The comely young woman 

 and her companion, formerly noticed, joined the group in a 

 standing position in the first instance ; they soon became 

 bathed in tears, and ultimately joined in prayer in a state of 

 high excitement. A very emaciated old woman, with dishe 

 velled locks of silvery whiteness, shrieked so loud and piteous- 

 ly, that the minister s voice became unheard, and something- 



