Tea at Trianon: Nitanny Antique Machinery Show

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Sunday, September 9, 2007

Nitanny Antique Machinery Show

Yesterday, in an effort to enjoy what is left of the waning summer days, we decided to go to the Nittany Antique Machinery Show at Penn's Cave outside of Centre Hall, Pennsylvania. The site is fascinating in itself for both the legend and the history, as is related here:

A historic landmark centuries ago, the Seneca Indians discovered this natural landmark in the Valley of Karoondinha (Penn's Valley). The famous legend of the Indian Maiden, Nitanee, from whom the famous Penn State Nittany Lion is named, and her French trapper lover, Malachi Boyer, has been told around campfires for generations. Unable to marry because of Indian custom, they ran away and were captured, and Malachi was thrown into Penn's Cave to die. Local history also tells of Indians and early explorers using the dry rooms for shelter. The cavern was opened to the public in 1885 when the former hotel was built, and today Penn's Cave and the Penn's Cave House have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

There was every kind of tractor in the world on display on the meadow at the foot of the mountain.

Many Amish and Mennonites were there. The Amish women always strike me as being very much at peace with themselves and with the world. They laugh a lot, although not uproariously, and do not seem to worry about getting fat.

Lots of old steam engines could be seen.

There were many craftsmen at the show, including a blacksmith. All in all, it was a taste of America, past and present.

(Photos courtesy of Michael J. Russell) Share

3 comments:

Anonymous said...: I LOVE those photos. There are auto shows where people gaze upon 'Concept Cars', etc., but how much more centered one feels looking at sturdy old steam tractors and engines.

Thanks for sharing.; September 9, 2007 at 9:58:00 PM EDT
Alexandra said...: Oh, thanks for sharing! My older sister was graduated from Penn State in the late 70's. I remember staying with her in the dorms, climbing around the statue of the Nittany Lion and visiting the caves. Great memories. We lived overseas, so coming back for home leave was always exciting...vivid memories.

I admire the Amish and Mennonites postive outlook and commitment to living for God and not self. We use some of their curriculum for our homeschool. Part of my family is Pa. Dutch from Lehigh Valley, so there is some common ground there as well.

Thanks for sharing your pictures. :); September 9, 2007 at 11:00:00 PM EDT
elena maria vidal said...: You are welcome, ladies! Yes, Alexandra, Central PA is an interesting part of the country!; September 10, 2007 at 11:02:00 AM EDT