The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-08-14

ORNAMENTAL IRExH--ur. J. v y. CuAluls ~
letter from Antwerp, says;
1t is one of the national customs, both 10
Belgium and Holland. TO plant the roads with
trees-securng comfort to the traveller, pfotecr
ton from the suns rays 70 animals, while excellent
timber is raised in abundance for tho construc-
ton Of bridges and for public necessites. Be
tween the city Of Brussels and Waterloo u one
continuous, magnificent forest Of lofty beechos,
the shafts free of all limbs, 40. 90, so, ana 20
feet. For miles in Succession the tops OF these
magnificent trees meet over the track ut an ele-
walton Of perhaps 80 to 100 feet, in the form of
a Gothic arch, completely intercepting the suns
rays. 1t il not unlike passing through some of
the large cathedrals found strewed IN profusion
all over this theater of former activity and pre-
sent moral deterioration
How beautiful such a custom, and how worthy
of imitation. Trees are among Gods most glori-
GUS and useful works How refreshing to the
eve their verdure, and how restorative to ex-
hausted nature their shade In the great econo-
NV Of nature, how many important and useful
purposes do they answer! 1t argues besotton
mind to hew them down, where, without any in
reference with the imperative claims of agricul-
ture, they might remain to ornament Yet how
different is the practice in many parts of our
the sun, without tree to shelder them. Look
at our villages with dusty streets, faintng under
the influence of 4 summers sun, and without
tree to grace their avenues We speak especial
y of some of the towns and villages Of Penn
sylvania with which we are most conyersant.--
And look, too, at the suburbs of our cities, where
the first step Of Improvement is to cut down all
the trees And yet every house, every village,
every suburb might be graced with some of the
beautiful productions of our forests. Presbyfn.
Mock AucTIoN.--.A Washington Minister Sold.
The New York correspondent Of the Phiadel-
phia Inquirer says -
One Of the most interesting items Of local news
to-day is the taking in Of minister of the gospel
from Washington city. by one OF our mock auc-
tioneers Of Chatham street. Rev. Mr. Hodges
thought he would take stroll through Chatham
street to some Of the sights in that famed To-
cality. He had not proceeded far before he found
himself in front of an auction store, where watch
es, apparently gold, were going of at very low
figure. He did not wish one for himself, but a
man stepped up to him and said they were cheap,
and if he had his pocket book from his hotel nam
ing the same at which Mr.. II. stopped, he would
certainly purchase one. Mr. H., believing him,
said he would bid for the watch and he could re-
pay him when they returned to the hotel. At il
he went, and his last bid Of Sl8 brought down the
hammer. Tie dominic shelled out his money, but
says when he looked for the man who wished to
buy the watch, he was among the missing. He
discovered that all is not gold that glitters, and
sraightway called for return of his money that,
however, was refused him, and he sought the
counsel of a friend in the matter. He stumbled
upon ons of the editorial fraternity, who had no
idea OF seeing meek and lowly follower taken in,
and went to the place to aid in the restoration OF
the money to the loser. The editor was known
and as soon as he made demand for the money,
| it was paid forthwith less three dollars.
| BAD PoRrRAIT.--Gilbert Stewart, the celebrated
portrait painter, is said to have, once upon time
met lady in the street in Boston, who hailed hin
with-"Ah Mr.. Stewart, have just your
Il =. L.