Everything is removed from the great front room, and the mud floor, well rubbed with bullock's blood, glistens like polished mahogany.

The female portion of the assembly flock into the side-rooms to attire themselves for the evening; and re-issue clad in white muslin, and gay with bright ribbons and brass jewelry.

The dancing begins as the first tallow candles are stuck up about the walls, the music coming from a couple of fiddlers in a corner of the room.

Bride and bridegroom open the ball, and the floor is soon covered with whirling couples, and every one's spirits rise.

The bridal pair mingle freely in the throng, and here and there a musical man sings vigorously as he drags his partner through the Blue Water or John Speriwig; boys shout and applaud, and the enjoyment and confusion are intense, till eleven o'clock comes.