Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-02-08
To h.e Editor of he Constitutional 11ir.

SIR Inc following extract may perhaps amuse
some OF your readers. 1t Is taken from a French
Journal published in Paris, in 1906 as translation
from an English Book of Travels published about
that time, by NJ. Gloucr, (pehaps Glove) giving a n
account of the SOIL productions, &c of Virginia
In which the traveller says he has resided mann
gears.
"The climate of Virginia is quite temperate:
the SOIL extremely sterile and sandy, particularly
IN that part of 1t bordering on the sea. There
are but few stones found here, but those few are
as beautiful aud transparent as diamonds: rinos
are ornamented with Them, and glass cut as with
the common diamond
H., ''The country is subject to the most dreadful
hurricanes, and ottenines whole tracts of conn
try are land bare by their violence. In 1867
there was a tempest, so horrible, that every tree
was torn up by the roots and the hi~h LJ,ids. ne
well rs the marshes, covered with water. which
fell during three days, without the SLIGHTEST in
Permission.
''Ihere are but few countries in the world
winch abound So pentifuly in rivers They
for the most part rise from the foot ofthe rnoun-
-talns called the .4Dpa-iean, (could he have
meant the Appalachian') and furnish a great
variety OF the finest fish, among which there is
one, extremely delicate, commonly called the
Ii'"pan IN the head of which there is found
thick, glutinous substance, which, when dried
and reduced TO powder, is a sovereign remedy for
the diseases OF women during pregnancy These
likewise abound in aquatic monsters Monsieur
S'iouer saws ne saw one winch appeared, as he
descended one of those rivers, in The form of
human being, with the head, breast hair and
countenance of an Indian; that it was in ~,
erect posture i'll the middle of the water and
flashed its terrible eyes upon him "a the boat IN
preached, throwing all who were with him into
CONSERVATION and alarm; till at length il plunged
herceiN beneath tile waves casting its ichthyJlO.
StcH tail high in the air. which before had been
concealed, from the upright manner in which il
stood.
'fhere are four different kinds of oak. one of
vince IS much harder and durable than our com
!uoii OAK I'D England. Every species of tree is
10 be i'und here except the orange and citron
which IS never found in such high ATTITUDES.
"Besldes the great varieties of birds which
are found IN other countries. there are three bird,
round here winch are never seen elsewhere. TO
white nOcker, the red bird. aud the bird
nat n~rm"rs (qm murmurc) [hurnrninc bird.
4 he irst is so called, because it initiates not
only ne 'tHhidt Uotce Of nun, but the notes of
every order of the feathercd tribe so well. that
IN this manner il DISCUSSES itself under whatso
ever form ii likes, and thus dcceives its pursu.
ers 1t sings not only during the dav, but every
hour IN the night. Its manner Of fyinp ia still
more wonderful, and belongs TO its tribe alone:
sometimes 1T rises perpcndicularIv, the head
above and the tail below; at others. if cIcavcs
to a. turning us rect and tau upwards, but
always Vi Pfr2endIcuiar Incl [gueTc-does it
ny nU,'""o'GH' ana II so, III what manner
"Ihc red bird is of She color of blood. i'm lis
bodY and pumage. Its notes are harsh and
d'Sa%reeable.
''Ihe hummng bird is So called. from fho
mnrnurlng noise It makes when living: and
though it is but very little larger Than , Ma.
bag, yet it has all the parts of otbcr birJ. nor
fecrly developed 20