Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/618

612 In the evening again a large number of the citizens called upon us, making inquiries and asking many questions about the brilliant victories in Mexico.

Lancaster I esteem as my home, and the memories of my early youth are ingrafted so deeply that I cannot and will not forget them.

 Yes, the home of my childhood in memory me thinks I can see, Those forms that in youth were familiar to me; And oft on the tablet of memory I trace The image enshrined of each dear loving face.

While we are lying here, it will probably not be out of place to note the early recollections of my boyhood days. It was in this town (Lancaster) and county, after we left Philadelphia, that I passed my early days, and the first memorable events and deeds of pleasure are from this town and county. In strolling through the town to-day, I looked with pride on the large brick church—English Trinity Lutheran Church—with its four figures or statues standing on pedestals, one on each corner, representing Faith, Hope, Charity and benevolence, and its high steeple, whose musical bells I often heard, and loved to hear ring. The corner-stone of this church was laid in May, 1761, and the debt of which was afterwards paid off by lottery, in 1807; over 6,000 tickets were sold, at thirty cents each. Also visited the old brick school-house, which I noticed had changed but very little in its appearance. In that old brick school-house I first went to the English school, where I learned my A B C's, and, I am sorry to say, scarcely anything more. Thus, my readers, you will see that my early education has been sadly neglected.

Well do I remember the spring fairs, when the streets were crowded with people, and tables covered with all kinds of merchandise, sweetmeats, gingerbread, sweet beer, etc.; how the young lads would save up their pocket-money to take their girls, neatly dressed in their linsey-woolsey short-jackets or gowns, to the fair, where dances were held in every tavern,