The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-26


vaoa undoubtedly, with which 10 commence this cps
tie from The interior Of Virginia. Bu while was snusy
domescaed al the hosptable house OF my friend and
brother the Rev Moses ID Hoge in Richmond he asked
me 10 make excursion into The country among The
planters, TO Old Virginia she aud as she 49,
and she will be Tor many long years TO come. "fou
the Cities and colleges and university and the
men and women that the city and science gather but
YOU have never seen the old folks at home'-he Vir.
GINA planters aud their familes-liie II is in the
South" said my friend TO me "and now you are Just
going abroad 10 life in the Old WoIld-in England
and Italy, and Egypt and the Orenl-wlthout ever having
seen life in Old Virginia |" To my good friends il evil
IDENTIFY appeared that leaving the best OF the world
unseen, and spanning the globe 10 see the worst was
inclined to the opinion, and havnt doubt oil II
now year or two hence, II | live and learn better
will make report
was March day when we took up our march, and
colder day for riding in open buggy (onehorse car
rage wlthouta cover have not experienced IN New
York the past winter My northern clothing was not
enough. and large shawl was kindly wrapped about me,
without which must have abandoned the ride. ;,
But oil we vent al one O'clock, M, H1ss ana l. ne
SAID 10 be good as they are IN England, we
made eight miles hour against bead wind. In spite
| of my being wound in many folds OF wooen as some
OF Dr. Abbolts mummies suffered sadly with the cold,
and being excursion to a mild climate for health,
had many misgVings about The expectancy OF such an
exposure. But when at the worst, could dsmonnt ana
TAX for half mile by the side OF the horse, re-
storing the circulation and refreshing me for a new en-
counter OF the blasts A, .et O'Clock we 'e aSam, R
| teen miles from Richmond A coored boy was al the
horses head ia moment In answer to inquiries, ne
informed with dislinclness that his master and mis-
ess both from home and would not probably be at
home that day that the children were IN, and dinner
would soon be on the table. he even went fqrther ana
inuted walk in and stay dinner and spend The
night he would take the horse and we must make our
selves at home confess was taken by surprise The
stories that had read OF the condition OF southern ser
wants had not led me to expect all this freedom and fue
poeness, tins appropriation OF the masters prerogallVes
by servant all this while standing at the horses head
and urging to dlsmount We got out We went IN
A large nut wood fire was blazing on the hearth. The
children at their studies in the school room with
their teacher; we had the paror to ourselves hawed
gradually and getting sleepy when were called to
dinner, Here we met the young members OF the family,
spent soc al hour with them, and resumed our rlde
warm, grateful and delighted with the simple bounlilu
unostenlatious way in which two pilgrims had been
treated their travels. Some days afterwards we re-
turned to M Braxons oy invitation, ana mel nun ana
some friends around the same board enjoying his bosp
!aty and the society he draws around him. He is the
son Of Garter Braxton, of the sgners of the Decla
ration Of independence His walls hung with family
portraits that hung in old Eng sh halls; but the
sons OF the signers are republicans all.
We plunged into the woods just after leaving, the
house, and followed winding road till we reached the
: Pomonkey rivera sluggish, crooked, tever-breedng
stream, which we crossed in scow pulled by single
negro, along rope stretched from shore TO shore,
There splendid plantations on this river, but the fam
lilies retiring from It's banks, and building on the dry
upands. where they spend their summers. We soon
passed The largest single field that had ever seen IN
cultivation lnquiIIng, learned there are more than a
thousand acres in it, without tree, or hill or stone in
sight, green with the springing wheat the fields in
June with US at the North and skired in the distance
with the forest We left the main road and entering
by gate, struck into plantation and followed the car
RAG path for mile two, TIL reached Presly the
residence of the late Judge Coaler Pleasantly situated,
the house stands rising ground, with trees enough
about it cheerful vista opening in 'front.' t bu' 50 Sc
ers crossing the wilderness But there was no lonel-
ness there. Night was just setting in when we arrived
The great fire replenished assurances OF well
come, than the fire. melted the frost away, and
the supperabe spread only they spread tables
in Virginia was surrounded bS as cheerful parry as
- "A nht fhet nnInlnn
evening that remained TO when tea was over. and
slept soundy thankful for health and sweet repose after
the exposures and atigues OF ncemen day. In the
morning, before up, servant entered, kindled
the fire, carried of clothes and brought them back
nicely brushed and waited luther orders This practice
by peculiar TO the South but will be new 10
some OF my readers The servants quarters were not
far from the house, and walked IN the morning among
them looking in their cabn.doors and admirng the
lazy comfort they seemed 10 be taking in their own way.
Among the house constantly surprised by
the freedom and friendness prevailing the happy mean
being maintained, that servants always knew Their
places and kept them, and felt perfectly free and easy
just there. had in my trunk, and took out TO show my
friends, family picture, group OF seven one OF Law
reDce's capital dagueueoypes. The servants saw me
exhibiting IT, and as was returning 10 It's hiding place,
they preferred request Tor sight OF IT. which gave me
no little pleasure, you may be sure, to graufy.
Atanother time another of my Virginia friends man
sons the conversation turned in the evening on sprtu-
al rappings, abe-novngs, and the Ike when confess
ed my unbelef in all that philosophy but proposed an
exhibition of musical electricity, which had not yet been
mentioned in the newspapers, though had seen II IN
some private circles al The North lake piece OF PASTE
b board and cut the figure OF man two ieet high, with
we-developed arms and legs excite the animal cleo
TRICKY by drawing him by The head across the floor for
some time and thea place him between your feet, about
ten inches from each, aud he will stand straight as
stick and just stiff till music strikes his ear Then
he will dance with all the energy OF harlequin, keep.
ing firs-fate time. instantly resting when the music
ceases and leapug mady into the mazes OF Inc dance
when The music wakes again. This was rather loo much
for the credulity of the company was challenged TO
make the experiment The figure was CUT the Joints
neatly lonet the features well brought out with lte
paint, and the floor cleared for the performance The
whole household were invited They came, one and
all. Imagine the scene, and painter might make a
sketch OF it, Father Ieneus sits in the centre OF
about thirty persons semi-crculary about him, with a
figure in his hand drawing II slowly across
The floor and discosrslng gravey OF the wonderful prop
critics OF mssca electricity new science about 10 De
! announced 10 the world. Two reverend dlyines are
standing near him III the midst OF group OF NATIONS
grave and maids dewdfops pure and fair" Some
bus, stand around their faces filled with wonder, and
every moment or two half smohered chuckle breaking
out and showing that they enjoy the fun, and while
others might be studying the science OF IT, they know "
to be good Joke held him by the crown OF his head
for moment, and dropped him he struck square upon
his feet and stood straight bowng gracefully TO the com
pany. and waiting for the music. AL The hfsi touch OF
the piano he started ii electric battery bad been
discharged upon him His arms, his legs, his head, bis
whole frame shook with excitement, wilder, faster,
hecer the music swept along The mingled incredu.
lily and surprise that The faces OF the groups were
curious TO observe But the negroes were IN ecsiacies
: They laughed and wondered-wondered and laughed.
Music and dancing make much OF negro's NE, and