_Euterpe_, perhaps, (ever partial, they say To a _musical_ fête,) your concert attended, And pleased with your talent to sing and to play, Thought _music_ with _poetry_ happily blended-- And so, when you took up the pen to prepare An account of your party, to make it more rare, Bade you write it _in verse_--and _assisted_ you too, To get up a style, so romantic and new. Be this as it may--'tis certain that such As have been indulged with a sight of your letter, _Sans compliment_, all, have admired it much, And say, of its kind, that they never read better. But how can _we_ answer, in similar style, A missive like yours?--we are sure you will smile At our awkward and feeble attempt to compose, An answer in verse, in our accent of prose. But smile, if you please--even laugh, if you choose-- We _must_ make an effort to put rhymes together, To give you some _items_ of Williamsburg news, And tell you how well we got thro' the cold weather: In converse and reading, we passed with delight, The keen winter morning, the long winter night, With a family never surpassed upon earth, In kind hospitality, virtue and worth. 'Tis said, this _old city_ has seen its best days-- We cannot think so--its present possessors Are subjects of just admiration and praise-- Whether _Judges_ or _Lawyers_, or learned _Professors_-- All mingle with freedom and ease in the throng, And move in the current of fashion along; At the _ball_, or the _board_, or the cheery _fire side_, Society's ornament, pleasure and pride. "And are there no _Doctors_ (perhaps you exclaim) Distinguished by talents and virtues and merit?" O yes, there are several; whom if we but _name_, Or mention their liberal and generous spirit, "The Messenger's" Critic may cry out--"O fie! _Who ever blamed Hercules?_" Subjects so high, Like Washington, need not a line to exalt Their virtues and worth--_Who ever blamed G----?_ The fear we suggest, of the "Messenger's" lash, As you well may imagine, is merely pretension; Its _Critics_ at monarch-like _Hickories_ dash, And smile at _flowret_ or _shrub's_ apprehension-- _Palmettoes_ escape too! but, _Party_, away! 'Tis time, to the _birthnight_ our homage to pay; E'en _the Critic_ himself, we hope may agree To spare our "_Sic semper_--PATRI PATRIÆ!" The ball of the _birthnight_, on Monday took place, And, once more, the hall of the _ancient Apollo_, Assembled a train of youth, beauty, and grace, In which, well escorted, we ventured to follow: _Professors_ and _students_, the _bench_ and the _bar_, The _single_ and _married_ of both sexes, _there_, In mirth and good humor, the hours employed, Partook of the _dance_, or the _music_ enjoyed.