Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-01-21
OUR TOWN AND IT'S PROSPECTS


No one can walk through our streets without
being struck with the great improvements which
nave been made within the last two or three wears
lew days ago we heard one of our old citizens
remark that he believed that more good buildings
had been put up in the last three or four years than
IN the thirty years preceding We are glad to find
.hat others are In contemplation during the approach
ing summer. The introduction of the water into
the town, and ITS distribution on the various hills
nave made many lots very desirable for residences,
which otherwise could not have been improved, in
consequence of their remoteness from water The
enhancement of the value of property in this way
has probably been equal to the whole cost of water
ing the town. We sincerely hope this system of
suburban Improvement will be continued, and that
more attention will be paid to architectural beauty
in the erection OF buildings. 1t is almost as
cheap to put up beautiful ornamental building
which will delight the eye OF every visiter, as to
erect one of those clumsy unsghty structures which
are almost enough to give fit of the blsies to
look at We should be happy to see something of
the Yankee style introduced in regard TO private re-
sldences. We would like TO see every dwelling
house situated some distance from the streets, in
the midst OF vines, and trees, and flowers What
can tempt men to jam their houses on the very
verge of the dusty highways, where every prying
eye can take a survey of their parlours and not a
tree shrub can protect them from the scorching
sun, are at loss to understand. 1t is well
enough to have stores, and shops, and Offices and
other business houses the Streets but surely the
homes of our wives and daughters ought to be so
situated as to be removed from the dust and hustle
OF the great thoroughfares of the town. What can
be more delightful for man. after the tolls and
cares Of the day than retire to his sweet
hOme where his senses are refreshed by the foliage
and the flowers and fruits, which the provdent care
and refined taste of the females of his family have
reared, to shed beauty, and fragrance, and grace
upon the family altar.
Let these considerations be kept in constant view,
and In few years we shall have our town as cele-
brated for the comfort and good taste of its private
residences as it is for the noble Institutions
which render it so attractive TO the phlanthropist
One great obstacle to improvement has been the
desire to patch up old buildings instead of erecting
new ones. This proceeds from a mistaken notion
of economy. We say mistaken, for of more than
twenty OF our friends who have undertaken to
vampup old establishments, we have never known
one who did not find in the end that it would have
been better to build new one 1t is patch patch ',
patch !! Il the time, and when you are done YOU
have rckety, ms-shapen, disjointed concern,
which is source of perpetual annoyance to every
member Of the family.
Another great mistake in building is to erect it
on small lot.-Ground is the last thing man
ought to economist in, when he is about to bud.
To save hundred or two dollars man will some
times sacrifice the comfort of his life by building on
confined lot. Every one should have elbow room
Leave ample space for your buildings and for
good garden, and fruit trees Ii is almost impos-
sible to estimate the comfort or true profit which
may be derived from half an acre of ground well
improved The stable, the ash bank, and the
wood yard, will soon furnish the means of ferz
ing it, and the rich crops Of vegetables, fruits and
flowers, will amply compensate for the trouble of
surrounding every dwelling with little wilderness
of sweets
But we must forbear from any farther remarks
on this subjective know we arc somewhat en-
thusiastic in regard to it, but as MAN was placed
by his CREATOR in the midst of a GARDEN. we
sometimes think he is fulfilling his destiny if he
seeks to spend his life amid scenes which might re-
mind him of EDEN!
The Washington Uhion is preparing for an as
sault upon Gen. Taylor, should our army unfortu-
naely meet with disaster. as it did before the bat
ties of the 9Th and 9th of May were fought, by
limiting in advance, that his arrangements are de
fectIve. Ii says 1--WE cannot suppose it possible
"that General Taylor would have advanced to Sal
''tilo and scattered his troops so far from each O.
''ther-wh Genl Worth at SaltIo, with Gen
"Wool at Parras, with Gen. Butler at Monterey
''and the forces under himself and Gen. Patterson
$50 as TO incur any serious danger from concen-
Grated attack by Santa Anna upon any of his di-
''visions." But let General Taylor achieve ano-
ther splendid victory-aud then the Union will ex-
fol the characterization for the wisdom of lis plans
and the efficiency Of its arrangements, precisely as
it did after the battles of Pao Alto and Resaca de
la Palma. If disaster and defeat ensue, General
Taylor will have to bear the brunt--if victory
then the Administration will appropriate to itself
the glory of the achievement Rich. Wing
The Legislature Of Pennsylvania has adopted
| by unanimous vote, resolutions of thanks to Gen
Taylor and the officers and men of the u. S. ar
my In Mexico, volunteers and regulars, for their
gaantry and good conduct since the commence
ment of the Those as;ute military critics,
Orlando Fickilu of Illinois, and Jacob Thompson
OF Mississippi, think that censure instead of thanks
is the hero,s appropriate reward-espcciay if that
hero be a Wing General !-Whig
TIE VIRGINIA REGIMENr.-We are pratGed
70 announce says the Richmond Enquirer. that
the Secretary of War has agreed to accept two
more companies, (making in all twelve, } to be arm
cd with rifles and bayonets, and TO act as hankers
TO the regiment.
| The total expenditures Of the government in De
I cembcr last, amounted to S5,476.517 81 II is