Books Bygone

Sunday, February 9, 2014

"... with shows, games, sports, guns, bells..." What? GUNS??

I'm working on a little project-- yes, I know, I should be ironing-- and I ran across this from John Adams to his wife, Abigail: 
I am apt to believe that this day will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bonfires and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward.
Brings to mind the phrase, "and by right ought to be..." doesn't it?

[from Mary E. Hazeltine. Judith K. Sollenberger, ed. Anniversaries and Holidays: A Calendar of Days and How to Observe Them Second Edition, Completely Revised. American Library Association, Chicago. 1965.]

 

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