Northern star, and Warren and Bristol gazette. [volume] (Warren [R.I.]) 1826-1830, 1826-08-26
No. ~.
N9N!gylsgltERN STAR
WARREN, sArvR'oAY MORNING Auo. s6.

WARREN, SATURDAY MORNING AUG. 26.
The editors have taken the lioerty
70 inscrt the following communication,
from :he pen ofan unknown correspon-
dent, hoping that il may meet the ap-
probation Of the citizens Of Bristol, as
well us their subscribers generally
In this review of The situation Of Bris-
tcI, the author assures us, and we as
sure our readers, that no illusions are
made to individuals, and no. reflections
intended tobe cast upon the the, peo-
pie as body. .,
TIE STRANGER IN BRISTOL.
Whether writer of sketches, ought
to make long introduction to short
view, is question which | shall not att
tempt 10 discuss but, alter making my
obeisancc 10 the ladies and gentlemen
ofthe town Of which am about to give
faint description, shall enter, without
more ado upon the sulject.
The town of Bristol, taken as
whole, upon the first glance, leaves a
favourable impression with regard to
its situation, upon he eye ofthe stran-
ger; which, however. rather diminish
es upon closer examination. more es-
pecially If the traveller arrive there at
an unpleasant season Of the year, CIR, is
overlak en- l,y "A rain storm during his
ramble through the streets. The town
is situated upon side hill, and is laid
out with taste and judgment, the ave-
nues intersecting each other at right an-
giles. The buildings are generally god,
some Of them elegant, but many, of
he mansion houses, especially those
situate ou Wa'er.slreet, by being con.
tguous TO or in the vicinity OF smaller
|ld'Idings, appropriated to the purposes
Of mechanical pursuits or to the hustle
Of business. appear altogether out of
place, and the behoIder, will frequent-
ly deplore his want Of power to re-7
move these buildings to the green fields
on the hill. Bristol has some pqplisk
cditices uortGy Of notice, among witch
the State House is not the least con-
spicuous. This is brick building not
over large, and Of an architectural order
entirely new 10 me. 1t is built with
7vings, and has. otherwise, the appear
ance Of something about TO fly. Its
INTERIOR exhibits oil the republican SIM
plicity for which the state buildings ia
Rhode Island are celebrated, and bears
striking contrast to the State House
in the capitol OF Virginia The room
in which the courts are heid. is about
twenty-five by thirty feet, destitute Of
paint or whtewash, and altogether un-
worthy to contain any legislative or
legal betN. The county Jail i, full as
exceptionable rs the court house be-
ing small wooden building. incapable
OF holding a man against his will
! it is something like the lookup"
houses. in the southern cities. What
ends the State authorities Of Rhode Isl
and may have in view. in thus subject
ing their courts to the ridicule ofstran-
gers, robbing the judiciary Of that re-
spect which by right belongs thereto,
and damning the towns to everlasting
fame, which contain their PIblick build
ings, it is impossible for strange to
know. The houses for publick wor-
ship are large and commodioas, and
one OF two which | visited were crowd, !,
cd to overhowing the majority OF
, in these congregations are ladies diff
icring considerably in their appearance
and manners from those a, the SOUTH
so far as dress is concerned, however
they come fully up to the bellies Of
G Charleston--the rose rather than the
lilly predomna'es in their complexiony
and their tresses are darker than arc
( those of ladies at New-York. Bristol
has small markrt-house, not unds T
the best regulations with regard to
cleanliness. il may be allowed toj'Adge
Of such matters. is streets are in
good repair, with the exception Of walks
for foot passengers. ofwhich il is nearly
destitute. NoItherners complain OF
sand paths IN the cities of Savannah,
Wilmington; sc. but to my mind the
side walks in Bristol are no more to be
compared with them for comfort and
convenience, than the mud passage
through Dismal Swamp iS to that ele-
CANT avenue in New-York, called Broad
way. Il had the house pointed out to
me, where hbner Alden, formerly re-
sided Me. Alden accelerated as ap-
thor Of number Ofscbool bochs,which