Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-04-30
vIRGINIANs AT HOME.

vaton undoubtedly with which to commence this episte
from the interior Of Virginia. But while was snugly
domescated at the hospitabe house of my friend and
brother the Rev Moses d. Hoge, in Richmond he asked
me to make excursion into the country among the
planters to Old Virginia she as she s and
as she will be for many long years to come "You have
the cities and colleges and university and the men
and women that the city and science gather; but you
have the old folks at home'-the Virginia
planters and their famies-ife as it is in the South,
said my friends to me- sand now you are just going
abroad to see life in the Old Wordn England and Italy
and Egypt and the Orient without having seen life
in Old Virginia - To my good friends it evidently ap-
peared that leaving the best of the world unseen
and spanning the globe to the worst was inclined
to the same opinion, and havn't doubt of it now A
year or two hence, il live and learn better will make
report
So we started for sw days visit in the country 1t
was March day when we took up our march, and q
colder day for riding in open buggy (onehorse
riage without cover) have not experienced in New
York the past winter. My Northern clothing was not
enough, and large shawl kindly wrapt about me-
without which must have abandoned the ride.
But off we went at one o'clock p NJ, Hoge and l. He
drives very fleet horse and though the Virginia roads
are not said to be good they in England we
made eight miles hour against head wind. In spite
of my being wound in as many folds of woolen
of Dr. Abbotts mummies suffered sadly with the cold
and being excursion to mild climate for health,
had many msgivngs about the expedency of such
posure But when at the worst could dismount and
take for half mile by the side of the horse
storing the circulation and freshening for
of the blasts AT three o'clock reached ngle-
sde the mansion of Carter Braxton Esq., about sixteen
miles from Richmond coored boy at the horses
head in moment. In to inquiries he informed
with distinctness that his and mistress
both from home and would not probably be at home that
day; that the children in, and dinner would be
on the table. He went further, and inUited
walk in and stay to dinner and spend the night he would
take the horse and must make ourselves at home.
confess was taken by surprise. The stories that had
read of the condition of Southern had led
to expect all this freedom and poteness this ap
preparation of the masters prerogatves by servant all
this while standing at the horses head and urging
dsmount. We got out. We went in large nut-wood
fire blazing the hearth. The children were at
their studies in the schooroom with their teacher:
had the paror to ourselves thawed gradually and
getting sleepy when called to dinner Here we
met the young members of the family spent social hour
with them and resumed ride warm grateful and de-
lighted with the simple bountifu transformations way
which two pilgrims had been treated on their travels.
Some days afterwards returned to Mr.. Braxton's by
invitation, and met him and friends around the
same board enjoying his hospitality and the society he
draws around him. He is the of Carter Braxton
of the sgners Of the Declaration of Independence His
walls hung with family portraits that hung in
old English halls but the of the signers repub
licans all.
WOODS
and followed winding road till reached the Pomon-
key riyer sluggish, crooked, fever-breedng stream
which we crossed IN scow pulled by single negro,
along rope stretched from shore to shore There
splendid plantations this river but the families
firing from its banks and building the dry upands
where they spend their summers We soon passed the
largest single field that nsd ever s.sA
lnqurng learned there efe more than thousand acres
in it, without tree hil IN sight green with
the sprngng wheat the fields in June with us at the
North and skirted in the distance with the forest We
soon left the main road and entering by gate, struck
into plantation, and followed the carrage-pah forA
mile two, till reached Presley, the residence of the
late Judge Coaer Pleasantly situated the house stands
on rising ground, with trees enough aboutt cheerful
vista opening in front, but secluded that felt if
had reached inn for travellers crossing the wilder
| ness But there loneliness there. Night was
just setting in when arrived The great fire
penished: warm assurances Of welcome than the
fire, melted the frost away, and the supper table,
spread only they spread tables in Virginia,
rounded by cheerful party drank tea that night
in the Old Dominion. 1t short evening that
mained to us when tea over and slept soundly,
thankful for health and sweet repose after the exposures
and atigues of incement day In the morning before
up, servant entered kindled the fire. carried
off clothes and brought them back nicely brushed
and waited further orders This practice by
peculiar to the South, but will be new to Of my
readers The servants quarters we're not far from the
house, and walked in the morning among them looking
in at their cabin DOORS and admring the lazy comfort
they seemed to be taking in their own way Among the
house servants constantly surprised by the freedom
and frendiness prevaiing the happy being main
tained that servants always knew their places and
kept hep and felt perfectly free and easy just there
had in my trunk, and took to show my friends
family picture group of seven Of Lawrences capi-
tai daguerreoypes The saw me exhibiting it,
and returning IL to its hiding place. they prefer
red request for sight Of it, which gave no little
pleasure you may be sure to crafty.
At another time, in another Of my Virginia friends
mansions the conversation turned in the evening on
spiritual rappings table-movngs, and the like when
confessed my unbeef in all that philosophy but proposed
exhibition Of musical electricity which had yet been
mentioned in the newspapers, though had seen 1t in
private circles at the North. Take piece Of paste
board aud cut the figure Of two feet high, with well
developed arms and legs excite the animal electricity by
drawing him by the head the floor for some time
and then place him between your feet about inches
stiff, till strikes his Then he will dance
with all the energy of harlequin, keeping rst-rate time
instantly resting when the music ceases and leapng mad
ly into the Of the dance when the music wakes
again This rather much for the creduity Of the
company. | challenged to make the experiment
The figure cut the joints neatly joined the features
well brought out with little paint and the floor cleared
for the performance The whole household were invited
They came and all Imagine the scene and painter
might make asketch of it. Father Irenmus' sits in the
centre Of about thirty persons semcircuary about him.
with paseboard figure in his hand drawing it slowly
across the oo and dscoursng grayey Of the wonderful
properties Of musical electricity, science about
be announced TO the world. Two reverend divnes are
standing him in the midst Of group of matrons
grave and maids cas- dewdrops pure and fair" Some
ten OF dozen and daughters of Ham, dark Erebu
stand around, their faces filed with wonder and every
moment two half-smothered chuckle breaking out
and showing that they enjoy the fun, and while others
might be studying the science Of it. they know IL TO be
good joke. held him by the crown Of his head for
he