Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-11-01

the fire for the outcas poor, are still standing Dut
so timely was the relief afforded them, so promptly
did it come flowing in from all quarters OF TINS
Christian land, and so judicousy was II applied,
that this class OF persons, instead OF experiencing
that extreme Of prvation whih would have attend
ed similar calamity in most European cities, have,
on the whole, rather been gamers by the catasro-
phe. The moneys received were divided among
four classes of sufferers: the frst and by lar the
largest, consisted Of those whose property des-
troyed by the fire, and constituting their only de-
pendence, was worth less than one hundred dollars.
This class was by far the most numerous, and alb
sorbed, indeed, the great body of the public dona-
tons They were repaid their entire loss. The
next class went, think, as high as two hundred
and fifty dollars, and these received large per
cent The two remaining classes embraced small
businessmen and those Of larger means: many OF
the latter, however, who we're entitled to their
quota refusing to receive it, that more might be left
for those less able to bear their losses. In addition
to this large relief was extended by the weather.
citizens to meet the immediate necessities of the
destitute, in the shape both of food and clothing
and then almost Immediately followed an ample
amount Of work as laborers in the erection OF new
buildings. The whole exhibition of American
character, as displayed in the ready and OPEN
handed charity of the neighboring towns and the
manity exhibited the spot and at the moment in
receiving and succoring the burntout families, the
equity and magnanimily so conspicuous IN the di-
vision of the public donations, and the astonishing
energy, promptitude courage, and enterprise which
has rebuilt the city in brief period, without the
ursulIcuco of eiugie mercantile failure all rebound
to the lasting honor OF our country. The entire
waterfront is built up wthnoble stores and ware
houses, of brick, in one unbroken line along the
Al lt,,t tl.n
waer-side would never suspect, and can now
scarcely realize that along that extensive line not
building was left standing The piers of the Mo
nongahela bridge stand like islands in the stream,
and already the brickwork for sustaining the chain
work of the new suspension-bridge, which is to
occupy the place of the former wooden structure,
begin to tower up to view, giving the assurance
that in very short time the loss, much deplored
at the time. will be converted into public benefit.
Designing to descend the Ohio, we were recon-
mended TO a packet-boat of large dimensions,
named the Monongahela, and, on going on board Of
her, we found richly finished cabin, two hundred
feet in length, lined on either side with convenient
sate-rooms, containing each double BERTH wash
stand, mirror, and every accommodation requisite
to the comfort of a traveller The captain was OBJ
gne, the table abundant, the attendance good and,
though we had nearly two hundred passengers, all
were orderly aud perfectly harmonious, well clad
and well behaved. The bar Called out of Elodesty
the g Exchangc'9 was but little frequentcd; and !
saw not man who seemed the worse Tor liquor.
One thing occasoned surprise and regret: the APP
paratus for meals was scarcely over, and the long
tables shut up into more convenient dimensions,
than they were surrounded by parties of card
players playing III general, however, Tor small
sums. This occupation seemed quite to absorb
them, morning, noon, and evening-for they were
III,
at night. They were once routed, for short time,
by parties Of dancers, who, avaling themselves of
the accidental presence of dancing master with
his violin, stood up for cotillons, and beat out
little OF the dust of the carpet with their moving
feet. As some of these were the gamblers them
selves, they had some difficulty in inducing the
iairer portion of our travellers TO leave the ladies'
cabin and take part in the sport But, one two
having boon prevailed on to break the ice, the in
spriting notes of the fiddle drew them one after an
other, from their coy retirement, and before the
dance closed, it was tolerably supplied with real
ladies place of those he-creaures who had before
acted as ladies pro fem. Our master of the ceremo-
MES quite in his element his bow moved with
spirit and much energy, while he issued his drec-
lions in the authoritative tones of a commanding
officer: Setto your lady - chassez to the right
half right and left back to your place. &c. oc-
casionally reminding huge-limbed settler from Ar
Kansas, remember you are lady, SIT. 1 was
surprised at the lowness of the fare on a line of
packets extensively gotten up were charged
but FIVE dollars to Cincinnati, distance of four
hundred and seventy miles, meals included. What
do not the inhabitants Of the banks of the Ohio
owe to the genius of FULToN and what emotions
would possess the bosom of that truly philosophic
man, could he now witness the results of his abors
not only the face of his own country, but in the
condition of the entire world Apart from the i'll
fuence Of Christianity, what else has ever exerted
such an agency on the condition of the human
race! On all these Western waters not sail is
seen; nothing in all directions but the towering of
smokes, the dash of wheels and the cleaning Of fur
nace-fres amidst eafy softudes, which, but for
ROBERT FULToN, might have lain, for centuries to
come, in their primeval stiffness.