The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-08-08

destruction of life. As il was one worthy citizen
OF the place, who was owner, in part of the house.
persisted in the flames. He was in one of the long
wings Of the house, exerting himself to save the
furniture and the trunks Of the boarders. This
wing derived most Of its support from its connexion
with the main buildings and the fire destroying the
connecting link caused the wing TO settle, 80 that
The rafters and the roof fell in, and the whole was
instantly heap of ruins. MIR. Gardiner was killed
by this fall of the wing Subsequently the fire
reached this part Of the building, and his body
burned in most horrible manner. The building
accommodated 800 persons, and was insured at diff
ferent Offices for $4,000.
This is my first visit to Newport, and | am free to
say that my antcpations have not been fully real
lied. One of the first remarks made to me after my
arrival, gave me an unfavorabe impression of the
graspng avarice Of the people. | asked gentleman
TO whose house was recommended what was the
price of board' He replied, some charged 70 per
week, some $40; but the purpose Of every man was
to get much he could. This is to the let
ter. Then they contrve to get in vast number Of
OF eteras, TO be sure to get off every man as
much as they can. For example: at Cape May
and Long Branch, where have been accustomed to
resuscate in the hot season, every boarding estab
ishment has its own bathing to which all the
boarders Of that house have free access, without
charge. Not so at Newport. The bathing houses
here seem to be monopoly, got up by private en-
terprlse; and every one who desires to be accommo
dated in them, must pay l2s or IS cents, as the
case may be. This arrangement struck me as
vexatious method of getting paltry from every
vlsiter, to which they were not entitled. If man
pays ten dollars week for board, think the house
which he patronzes is bound to furnish him place
to change his dress free Of charge. The owners of
the clearinghouse do fine business. Their
ceipts are often forty dollars day. and their whole
establishment costs scarcely three hundred dollars.
had heard great deal about the surf at New
port. IL is good enough, but in no respect excels
that enjoyed at Cape May or Long Branch. This
town is the second largest in the State, containing
about seven thousand inhabitants. 1t was settled
two hundred and eight years ago. Newport is the
capital OF the State, as your readers The
State house erected in 1884 under the reign of
Charles ii. IL is so feet by 40, and the Senate
chamber is admirably adapted for the purposes to
which it is devoted There is a singular and mys.
ferrous ruin little out the of the town. that
visited. IL Is on a lot of ground owned by ex-
Governor Gibbs, through whose poeness | gained
access to IT, Ii is circular about twenty feet in d.
ameter, and stands on eight pillars. That venera-
BILE personage-"the Oldest inhabitant"--knows
nothing of its origin Some conjecture it was built
by the Mortimer, who are known to have had
residence here for time, and were finally driven
away by the Indians. Others think il was erected
by pirates, safe retreat when they returned from
their marauding expeditions Others still imagine
that 1t was designed for MILL but no one has had
any means of definite knowledge. The people call
II ''the RUM" but its original design will probably
never be known. II is built of common stone with
out hewing, and held together by a mortar or ce-
ment nearly as hard the stone. AS relic of an
tiquty, it is well worth seeing You shall hear from
me again IN my rambles, as soon as ! find time to
scribble'a sheet Yours, A. r.