"Sleigh Riding" by J.B. (1848)

        A GENTLEMAN who has been requested by a lady to write something sentimental on the subject of sleigh-riding, respectfully submits the following effort of his frost-bitten muse. If his verse lacks a proper warmth of sentiment, it must be attributed to the fact that the music in his soul was all congealed the other night—like the tunes in the horn of Baron Munchausen's post boy—during a remarkably cold ride. When it thaws out, in the Spring, he will be able to sing the delights of sleighing in a more genial strain.

FOR THE WHIG.

Sleigh-Riding.

                Sleigh-riding! isn't it very good fun,

                With the mercury almost too thick to run,

                Down below zero twenty-one?

                                When, if you sneeze,

                                The spray will freeze,

        And your legs are as high as your knees.

                                And if you should spit,

                                (A quid, to wit,)

        'T would rattle like ice on whatever it hit.

                Glorious pastime is this, I ween:

                How you admire the silvery scene,

                As your lungs collapse in the blast so keen.

                Of nose and ears, as the steeds progress,

                You pleasantly lose all consciousness;

                                And the buffalo hide,

                                And the cap well tied,

        And the woolen et ceteras too, beside,

                Are powerless all to shield off the blast

                That knifes your vitals in hurrying past.

        Oh, 't is fine, on a moonlit night,

        Thus with the icy winds to fight!

                And frost-bitten ears, when the race is done,

                Aptly close the "capital fun."                                J. B.

Troy Daily Whig. February 14, 1848: 2 col 1.

Cut away sleighs, prance away horses, jingle away bells, and laugh away, boys and girls, say we!

“The Great Snow Storm—Its Extent—Sleighing Parties—Appearance of Broadway, &c.” New York Herald. January 23, 1846: 2 col 6.

COPARTNERSHIP NOTICE — The undersigned have this day formed a copartnership under the name and firm of Smith & Pierpont, for the purpose of conducting the Grocery business in all its various branches, at No. 12 Congress street, a few doors from River st. JASON SMITH,

        mh25 JAMES PIERPONT.

Northern Budget. August 4, 1846: 1 col 1.

CAMPHINE and Camphine Lamps—a nice assortment, for sale No. 12 Congress st., by

je22 SMITH & PIERPONT.

Northern Budget. August 4, 1846: 3 col 5.

MARRIED,

Sept. 14th, by Rev. John Pierpont, Mr. James Pierpont to Miss Millicent Cowee, all of this city.

Troy Daily Whig. September 15, 1846: 2 col 6.

DISSOLUTION.—The copartnership heretofore existing under the firm of Smith & Pierpont, was this day dissolved by mutual consent. Troy, Sept. 18, 1846. JASON SMITH,

        o10 JAMES PIERPONT.

COPARTNERSHIP.—The undersigned have formed a copartnership for the purpose of carrying on the Lamp business, at No. 12 Congress street, and respectfully solicit the patronage of the public. Troy,

Oct. 1st, 1846. JAMES PIERPONT,

        o10 EDWARD K. COOLEY. […]

PORTER’S PATENT BURNING FLUID and Lamps of every description; Camphine, Derrick Lamps, Side Lamps for Camphine; Camphine Astrals, for sale at No. 12 Congress street, by

        o10 JAMES PIERPONT & CO.

Troy Daily Whig. October 27, 1846: 3 col 3.

        Our friends are improving the fine sleighing, and riding parties are all the go. The merry bells may be constantly heard jingling in the streets — "Go it while you're young, boys!"

Northern Budget [Troy, NY]. December 21, 1846: 2 col 3.

There is considerable snow upon the ground in this vicinity, and it will take some time to dissolve it under a warm sun. Sleighs are running and bells jingling merily.

Northern Budget. April 1, 1847: 2 col 5.

CHRISTMAS passed off quite merrily. The Dutch Saint was very liberal in the bestowment of his gifts upon his juvenile friends, and toys were scattered about in profusion. The sleighing was well improved—sleighs were running all day and the bells jingling merrily. The day was pleasant and all appeared happy.

"Local Summary." Northern Budget. December 27, 1847: 2 col 2.

Now is the time for sleigh-rides. The merry jingling bells are heard on all sides. Pleasure parties are out every night, and all are happy! Our advice to all is, make good use of the sleighing while it lasts.

Northern Budget. February 9, 1848: 2 col 3.

☞ During the present winter our streets have presented about as many different appearances as the chameleon, although not the beautiful colors of that animal. They have alternated from a snowey whiteness to a speckled brown so often that it would have bothered one to keep pace with their various changes. We believe a dun-brown may be set down as the prevailing color, although during the past week, we have had speckled gray, and snowey white, and its accompanyment the jingling of bells, &c.

Lansingburgh Democrat. February 11, 1848: 2 col 1.

Daguerrotypes.

J. PIERPONT would inform the inhabitants of Troy and vicinity, that he has taken rooms at No. 218 River street, a few doors below the Troy House, and is prepared to execute Miniatures in every style in vogue. Having all the recent improvements at his command, he feels perfectly safe in saying that his pictures shall be superior to say in the country, and in support of which statement, the public is respectfully invited to call and examine specimens.

        N. B. Perfect satisfaction guaranteed in all cases, or no charge. oc31 3m

Northern Budget. November 21, 1848: 3 col 3.

Daguerrotypes.

        Who wants a likeness, either of himself or his friend? There can be no more acceptable present than a likeness for some dear one. All who wish to perpetuate the remembrance of the “face divine,” can gratify their desire by calling at the Daguerrean Galleries of—

        J. PIERPONT, 218 River street; or HOWES & Co., 7 1/2 State street.

Northern Budget. December 23 1848: 2 cols 2-3.

OFFICE TO LET.—Over “Buell’s Low Price Store,” at present occupied by James Pierpont, as Daguerreotype Rooms. Apply to

        mh2 JAMES BUELL, 218 River street.

Northern Budget. April 21, 1849: 3 col 4.

Soak thy feet in ice water and rub them dry with a crash towel. Do they not glow? do they not send the blood circulating to the ends of the fingers? So does a sleigh ride—when the moon shines, and the white snow lies on the frosty ground, when all is light as day, and the heart as merry as mirth. Driver! touch the leaders ! laugh girls ! jingle bells! Give us snow in winter and let it fall on level.

[Boston Transcript.

"Winter." The Clinton Signal. December 20, 1850: 4 col 3.

☞ We noticed several large parties who were out enjoying the fine sleighing on Christmas—among others, a sleigh drawn by six spirited horses, containing the Tivoli Hose Co., of Albany.—The Hungarian flag was suspended from the sleigh, and was greeted with loud huzzahs. The party was indeed a merry one, and to all appearances intended to "go it while they were young."

Lansingburgh Democrat. January 1, 1852: 2 col 2.

Y.M.A.—It will be seen by notice in another column, that the Lecture Season of the Young Men's Association, commences on Thursday evening, Nov. 18. The Introductory poem will be read by Rev. John Pierpont. The gentlemen announced to speak during the season, rank high among the literati of the land, and their addresses will, no doubt, gratify and instruct their hearers.

Troy Daily Times. November 8, 1852: 2 col 3.

UNIVERSITY OF THE CITY OF NEW-YORK. — Anniverary of the Philomatheian and Eucleian Societies.

        The anniversary meeting of the above societies was held on Monday evening, in the Reformed Dutch Church, Lafayette Place, before quite a numerous audience, considering the unfavorable state of the weather. Dodworth’s band was in attendance, and enlivened the occasion with its spirit-stirring strains of music. Rev. Dr. FERRIS, Chancellor of the institution, opened the exercises with prayer, after which, the Poet of the evening, Rev. JOHN PIERPONT, of Boston, was introduced to the audience. The poem was a production of remarkable brilliancy and point, and delivered with the graceful and expressive elocution which the poet adds to his other rare gifts. Its subject was “The Scholar’s Hope.” Mr. PIERPONT traced the course of the scholar through the different professions of Schoolmaster, Lawyer, Preacher and Writer for the Press, showing that although the different professions of Schoolmaster, Lawyer, Preacher and Writer for the Press, showing that although the aspirations of youthful enthusiasm were not realized in the experience of life, the true scholar, who was also a true man, would find an ample reward in his devotion to truth and justice, and the harmony of his spirit with the Infinite Mind. The Poem throughout was enlivened with flashes of wit, and often sent a barbed arrow into the heart of prevailing abuses. Its allusions to several current topics of excitement were received by a large portion of the audience with marked approval, and the whole performance called forth demonstrations of enthusiastic applause, in spite of the request that no such expressions should be given. A few lines from the poem will show the style of the versification. A New-England Sleigh-Ride is the opening theme:

        The bright full moon looks down on crispy snow;

        Ice-loaded trees their crystal glories show:

        The well-filled sleigh, by its ear-piercing shriek.

        Says, “It is cold,” as plain as tongue could speak;

        Its merry bells jingle along the road,

        And belles as merry jingle in the load.

        The driver’s whip with laugh and joke is cracked,

        And like a jury is the party “packed.”

        Song, laughter, story, and a stolen kiss,

        With slap-responses tell the rustic bliss.

New York Daily Tribune. June 28, 1853: 5 col 3.

New York Semi-Weekly Tribune. July 1, 1853: 6 col 4.

Rev. John Pierpont had read the poem on an earlier occasion, part of it being transcribed in the Poughkeepsie Journal. December 25, 1852: 2.

☞ The sleighing is first-rate in this vicinity and within the limits of three or four miles around. But a few more inches of snow is wanted. What we have, however, has increased merry-making at least 100 per cent, and has afforded 2.40 nags plenty of exercise.

Lansingburgh Democrat. February 9, 1854: 2 col 5.

Two-forty Pace. With great speed. A 2.40 gait for a trotting-horse was, not long ago, thought to be very fast. Now a 2.15 gait would be the one demanded.

Barlett, John Russell. Dictionary of Americanisms: A Glossary of Words and Phrases Usually Regarded as Peculiar to the United States. 4th Ed. Boston, MA: Little, Brown, & Co., 1877. 725.

☞ Sleigh ride parties are all the go. Almost every evening a joyous load leaves town for Mechanicville, Read's Hollow, Jonesville, or some of the neighboring villages. All right. Go it while you're young! This sleighing will not alwayslast. We like winter. Show us the man who dislikes it, and we will show you a person who hates his mother, damns his father, and is crossways with all the world. What is more delightful than to engage a two-forty nag, a fancy cutter plentifully supplied with robes, and then ask Lucy Maria, the girl of your heart to accompany you. Again, we say, all right—we've been thar [sic]. What matters if the small hours of morning come creeping on, before you think of returning—you are comfortably housed, in a warm room, while the joyous notes of the piano keep time to the joyous footfalls of your companions. Sleighing is a great institution and no mistake. The girls all think so, and we vote with the girls.

Lansingburgh Democrat. January 17, 1856: 2 col 6.

The One Horse open Sleigh

Dashing through the snow,

        In a one horse open sleigh

O'er the hills we go,

        Laughing all the way.

Bells on bobtail ring,

        Making spirits bright,

Oh what sport to ride and sing

        A sleighing song tonight.

CHORUS.—Jingle bells, jingle bells,

                        Jingle all the way;

                        Oh! what joy it is to ride

                        In a one horse open sleigh.

A day or two ago

        I thought I’d take a ride,

And soon Miss Fannie Bright

        Was seated by my side.

The horse was lean and lank,

        Misfortune seem’d his lot,

He got into a drifted bank,

        And we ! we got up-sot.

A day or two ago,

        The story I must tell,

I went out on the snow,

        And on my back I fell.

A gent was riding by,

        In a one horse open sleigh,

He laughed as there I sprawling lie,

        But quickly drove away.

Now the ground is white,

        Go it while you’re young;

Take the girls to-night,

        And sing this sleighing song.

Just get a bob-tailed bay,

        Two forty as his speed,

Hitch to an open sleigh,

        And, crack, you’ll take the lead.

Lansingburgh Democrat [NY]. December 2, 1858: 2 col 4.