Alexandria Gazette

OLD NEWBURY CELEBRATION.-The celebrations of the Fourth, though, as far as we learn, conducted with great propriety, have not in general been characterized by any remarkable novelties. That at Newbury old town, Massachusetts, however, was an exception.

The novelty of the occasion was comprised in the fact. that before the procession was formed at the meeting house, Mr. Nathaniel Little, and Miss Eliza Lunt, were joined in matrimony by the Rev. Mr. Withington, and received the cordial congratulations of a large collection of personal friends. some hundreds of whom had been the pupils of the latter.

An oration was delivered by F. Plumer, Esq. which was followed by a festival, and then the company repaired to a grove to spend the afternoon, by calling up a few home-made speeches. Here was a congregation of 2500 persons, and the President of the day announced the following sentiment: The Revolutionary Soldiers-may the children preserve what their Fathers have won. Mr. Daniel Adams, of Pine Island, one of the only two of this class present, rose to respond.— He was called to the desk and there addressed himself to the ladies more particularly, giving them such suggestions as he deemed proper.

The Chair next announced- The Historian of Newbury-Our reputation is in good hands. Mr. Joshua Coffin, who is preparing for the press a history of "Oure ould Newberry," took the desk and entertained the audience at some length, with remarks concerning ancient matters and things in this venerable town-exhibited some time-worn manuscripts, and read from them a variety of curious things, which gave assurance that our history is indeed in good hands.

The Chair took notice of a remark made by one of the speakers, (Mr. Coffin,) in which he had spoken of the "first people in the first parish in the first town of the first county of the first State in the United States." He had no objection to any of the applications of this epithet except when it was applied to this State. Massachusetts was not the first State, nor was it the happiest and best State. There was one State happier, better, and earlier in its origin; and though it had its acts of incorporation in the garden of Eden. it was still one of the thirteen States; he referred to the State of Matrimony-Happiness to those who have this day assumed the only chain which freemen can wear.

To this sentiment Mr. Nathaniel Little. the bridegroom of the day, readily and appropriately responded. We have heard much of the courage of our ancestors to-day. but nature had never bestowed upon him a very large share. Perhaps this would account for his deferring to a little later than the usual period the negotiation for a wife, and he would frankly confess that it was not without some effort that he had brought his courage to the stand he had taken to-day. It was then quite unexpected to him that this faculty should be still further taxed by his being called upon to address that intelligent audience. After this good humored introduction, he proceeded with a series of very sensible remarks, and closed by wishing for that audience, in return for all their warm-hearted congratulations, that they might all "be clothed with the wedding garment at the great feast of the Lamb."

The exercises were closed by singing "Old Hundred" by the whole assembly, and the party broke up well pleased with the day and its exercises.-Boston Courier.