Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-03-28

SAM. SCRATCH, Secretary.
Perhaps our readers would like 10 see Yam
kce opinion Of Virginia manners, from an anu
sing letter of a "Boson Merchant travelling
south, inserted in the Boston Courier; we ex-
trac, the following:
The country county where dwelt was ma
med after King William (of glorious memory
and in twenty four hours felt myself at home,
for posses in great degree the principle Of
accommodation that assimilales with things a.
bou, me. lam too facic-for l remember that
wss once on board polacca brig from Paler-
mo. ana when all hands in the afternoon made
their daily prayer to the Madonna, think |
felt an inclination to join A Frenchman, .
philosophical editor, has this principle OF &C
commodatron to great extern; put the most
polished Of his nation among tribe OF Indians,
and he will be more savage than they, and a.
monp Hottentots he wonid be thr hlihiest Of
the IL aai, but herein trust that my own COM
pliance would be more limited. .
At the time Of my arrival the VIrginians
were shivecing with cold, for 1t was the season
of gathering and shocking (husking) the corn,
which is pennrd up in vast quantities The
corn is covered with roof, but the sides OF the
pens are Of rails laid in an open manner. Our
nearest neigh Dor %, short walk OF three miles)
had on hand Of the last years crop hfeen hum
dred barrels having five bushels 10 the barrel,
for corn is too abundant 10 be melted by
your puny measurs This was the product
of his smaller plantation, aud was worth two
dollars the barrel, though IN Kentucky, have
known il 10 be sold for 40 cents; but in Virgin"
ia from three 10 five barrels 10 the acre is
rood crop. Excuse the details OF trade, but it
is not easy TO get GU, Of the chop. There is
no, much tobacco raised, and it is Except as
an article ofexporl) vile and worthless weed.
Notwithstanding that cold Virginia never
Tres" the cultivation Of tobacco has im2over>
ished her soil which it reduces as much as il
doesa man; ",hink Of this when you smoke to-
bacco"
In your republican state there are but two
classes-the rich and the poor. There, speak
as merchant) i, is Infamous to be poor, though
it is the defect Of the laws to take no eogni-
zance of poverty as crime. But along the
Blue Ridge there are more castles. The lowest
Of them is like one of The Hindoo, and eat no
meat Yet il they who compose it refrain ON
principle from animal food they sometimes pro-
fame their own creed-especically when an OK
dies suddenly, or sheep is found rambling in
the woods. This class of people uphold the ia
riff inasmuch as they raise their own WOOL
The allowance Of food for negro man, is
peck and half Of corn weekly and Two thirds
Of that quantity for woman.
To be slave is to lie, to steal, 10 be every
thing base and unworthy. IL the body could BE-
enslaved without degrading and demoralising
the mind, l would not much care for wearing
feter myself have tried to ge, direc,
answer from a negro or as here called niggnr
but might as well have sought a diamond
on Quaker's finger. He will make you repeat
the question that he may have more time 10
frame or invent polite answer. From the
slaves there are many intermediate classes be-
fore YOU come 10 The lords Of the soil.
Remember that speak Of a narrow district
- and make no wider application. The high
er classes have not many intellectual resource
es, unless such as lead :hem 10 fox hunting,
horse racing, gaming and moderate drinking;
though there are many men Of great refinement
and literary tasle and all are generous and hos
pi,able. The most general beverage is whis-
key, and apple aud peach brandy. Cider is sell
dom drank.
Dinner is late, and it is the principal meal;
the foundation Of it is bacon. Desserts are
rare, except on holidays-after dinner, come
cigars and politics. Every man is politician,
aud talks well, though vehemently. Horses
make the subject mex, in interest, Tor Firgi'
nian loves his horse like an Arab.
There is something radically wrong Gas the
phrase ISL in their system Of education, or fa-
Their there is no system. When boy is too
old 10 be handled, he considers himself man,
the slaves call him Nassa, and this flattering
JUNCTION makes his assurance doubly sure
In many families, however, the children are
taughtsto address the older servant as uncle or
au,tee, and this is sometimes more than form
Of speech.
A court green often presents strange sight,
but not fair display Of character; as at militia
ry musiers in New England, the people seem
10 collect ia their most. turbulent and ungra-i