Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-09-17
CHARMING PLEASURE EXCURSION.

AT the polite invitation Of "the Powbatan Steam
racket company number OF the citizens of Peters
burg, 0ncluding ourselD proceeded on Friday last to
Clty font 10 embark there on the steamer "Citv
OF Richmond, which is Intended to run between James
River and New York. The party reached City Point
about noon, and met with cordial reception from
Sgnor BI'tz, not thr great Magician but his cousin
who did up the hospaliti of the place in a way that
would have made old Fastaff fatter and more face
tlous The weather was savagey hot, and the scene
bright around us as sunshine could make il -
The placid OF the broad river sparkIed beneath
the cloudless ornament. The ships, with their tall
mass and dropping sails, laid quietly at anchor, and
not breath OF air stirred to break the smooth surface
OF the stream, or to cool the fiery beams which fell
upon the beach and opened all the suice. of persprs
ton in the visitors. Shirts, collars neckcloths and
handkercheifs were saturated with the constan y gush-
experienced was from the various icy prepar lions
which our sprighty host of tbs Hotel we stopped al
we mean ST. Btz, supplied at intervals through the
day. Alter making The best OF these welcome atten
tons, we (ourse took seat in the evening in the p
azza OF the Hotel, and whilst our conn AIDES were en-
Toying themselves in the interior with music and other
good things, we fell into a doze, and Queen NAB
soon beea her gambols in our brain.
we had our imagination kindled up most wildly:
and IN dr. amy luxury we continued our adventures
from the point where our last waking movements left
U.s. The magnificent steamer of the Powhatan Steam
Packet Company appeared 10 all her glory at the
wharf, with crowd of passengers and flying sreamers
Gut rushed the noisy steam from her pipes which
made the whole neighborhood echo. The plank was
thrown out on the share. and We went aboard In
few minutes she was OFT again and careeling down the
rver with the speed of the wind. The hour Tor din
ner arrived and we found ourselves comfortably seat
ed at superb banquet, composed of the rarsst and
richest viands. We ate with an epcurean delight.
and great was our ruton oflhe sumptuous and lavish
dishes beneath which the table groaned. Meats veg
etobIes dressed up in variety Of ways, supera-
bundan and when the appe lie for these was sa,s fed
We were treated to profuson of fruits, pies and
sweets OF dfieren, kinds, upon which we Toasted un
the muscles OF our throat could longer do their Of
Staan I'D H.
utmost dlsnity and at1aby, and seemed as if he was
determined to make it memorable occasion with his
company. We thought thai he was particularly atten-
tive TO his Petersburg guests throughout the business
and tina, his chief effort 10 throw them under the
most grateful obligation to him for his kindness and
good fellowship We have not time to dwell upon
every incident and circumstance which distinguished
our reception. but must hurry on our account
After the removal of the cloth, The Juice of the grape
was served up IN all its varieties. The iced Madeira
the sparkling Champasne-the purple Burgundy, with
ITS luscious favor-cool and pleasant Claret-nutty
Shefry OF the most exquisite relsh-a these gave zest
to the board, and received full justice at the hands
no, the lips-of the assembled peasure-goers, who
soon began to expand the circle of their companion.
ship and to make each other feel how free and easy is
confidence at such crisis. Songs sung, toasts
were drunk, speeches were made, anecdotes were told
and " all went merry as marriage bell" We were
called upon for toast, and gave, "Norh and South
more steam and less strife between them' for which
We were tremendously cheered. But this was not ALL
We were made by the Captain president the subject of
thanks for ourself and our fellow citizens Of Pc
tersburg, which we did SO much to the general sasfac
ton, that after sitting down loudly appauded.
Everything was conducted in spirit of harmony ano
fraternity. The steamer kept down the beautiful
James-reached the Roads-passed Old Point Comfort
stretched across the noble sapeake-plunged be-
tween the Capes into the Atlantic, in whose blue
she poughed away for awhile, and then putting back,
at er splendid moonlight run, landed at the wharf
at City Point, where we took leave OF friend the
Captain, who gave US such hearty shake of the hand,
accompanied with such amcabe squeeze of our fin
gers, that all at once eyes were opened, and we
found ourselves seated in The chair Of the piazza of ST.
Bltzs Hotel and after staring around us for moment,
sighed TO tn nix that all have been attempting 10 de-
scribe was-a dream. By the time we could shake off
the deusion the evening was the ee-ops, and
we had to bid adieu lively entertainer Bitz who
stood by to the last moment, and are not very
that did observe the perspra,jon rlcklng
down from eyes he looked after the d-parting car
which bore back to Petersburg. The steamer "City
OF Richmond" about which our Imagination had been
SO busy, had not made her appearance when W. le the
Point, nor have up 10 this present writing heard any
tdings about her. We hope how ever, that her pipes
have not been badly collapsed as the fete Friday
which was TO have come off under her suspices.-Pet