Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-06-08
:. nr. r. Mallory, Capt. Coruick aud Commander

GU III tHo INV
At an carly hour next morning, VIC took carriages
and drove eight miles to Deep Creek OH the DiSna
Swamp Canal. The country around Portsmouth, !"
perfect level and is full of extensive and ter.'' go,
dens, which supply the Northern markets VIII =,
vegetables and fill the pockets Of their prop'o
Deep Creek we embarkedon q large ou'e'' ~
command Of Capt. Cornick, tho rresioeh'"
NAL Swamp Canal Company, and one OIL the oo %,
~specimeps of man we have ever seen. fe - q" ",
.s,,, ~ hin, tokes tho deepest interest in tho inianu
,av;gat;on If the Canal, whose affairs ne mapaees
,.;,h ,,,s,, surc.ss, and at the low st possible expense
W.. u.rs surnrised to learn that the whole cost otthe
,nons cement Of this profitable work does note1ceeu
a QUO. The Canal, planned by Washington u aoou'
% miles long, connecting at the South with fasqao'
tank river, which empties into Albemarle Souha III
North Carolina. During our progress up The Ianai'
we encountered several large schooners, bound 10
Norfolk with their rich cargoes of lumber, Shingles
Sc. The magic effects of the Canal are exhibited In
the fue farms which have been redeemed from 'n'
Swamp and which now TEEN with valuable proauc.''
4 similar result has followed the construction Oh !ho
Seabourd Railroad and the commencement OF Inc NOT
folk and Petersburg Railroad, whose passage through
the Dismal Swamp we witnessed at two points,
The barge which we took at Deep Creek anu
which was rapidly moved along by mules lof'Ve"
Inv boys who moved OH foot until fatigued, when they
lszily reposed ON the backs OF the an'mais') cohl"'heu
all the gentlemen named above, ana, III aau'iop,
Msssrs. Jno. NJ. Gregory and J.F. wiley luhited
States Attorney and Marshal for the Eastern District
of Virginia. NJ. w. Fisher of Northampton, X. DIX
on. Taz. Taylor, and H. B. Reardon Of Norfolk, Drs.
r. Smith and Williamson of Norfolk county, Com
modore McKeever, who has ~juGtbeen placed in com
m.pd Of the Go.por. Navy Yard, and MIR. Choate,
the Superiutendsnt of the Canal. The Canal is
broad and deep and admirably constructed. we
passed through the North Western Lock, and IN
about 10 miles royags reached the "Feeder,' which
reaches Lake Drummoud in a perfectly straight
stretch of three miles. The passage through this mar
row route Is full of interest. The barge is towed
along 4 narrow path by hand, and the low
banks are covered with o rich verdure oil
reeds, fern and fower.bearing, rweot'scented vines
with tai! cypress, juniper and gum trees, growing OUT
of the spongy soil that floats upon the tangledsWamp'
as the boat dashes on, it disturbs numerous water
snake from their repose on the over hanging bushes,
and Nature. in all its wildness. rsigns in solemn ST.
lence, full of soothing Influences. Within half q mile
nf tho Lake we CdUl0 W q "
II, keeper, who is solitary in every respect. He's
about 10 year. old, with greyiSh locks curling around
his head, u tall frame and imposing appearance For
30 wears he has led q hermit life in this Wild and &C.
cluded spot. No human creature Is ever near him,
save on an occasional visit like ours, and his only COM
pauions arc aferce dog, domestic fowls and swarns OF
bees that gather sweets from the fragrant swamp
flowers and fill his numerous hives with delicious
honey. 1t produced a peculiar feeling when we heard
this old man, who wooed Nature alone, declare that
he did not know who we're the candidates for
Governor, nor dill he care. lie is c true philosopher,
unaffected by the turmoils of life and thinking only
OF his bees that supply his store house with luicious
sweets. One of our party was SO much struck with
the peculiar scene that he purchased q q gallon
barrel of the old mans pure honey for domestic con-
sumption.
As the barge left the dark aud narrow feeder and
emerged into the broad and sunny Lake Druinmond'
a peculiar aud beautiful scene burst upon the view.
The Lake is in form an ellipse. three by four miles,
enclosed by low banks, green with the verdure OF
fine trees, trellised with vines. The appearance OF
the banks, oil around, is SO similar that, but for the
hoary CYPRESS trees which stand like lighthouses at
the entrance Of the feeder, it would be difficult tor one
uninitiated to cues. at the outlet. Having fastened
the barge to a hanging limb of a moss-covered cy-
press which grows out of the lake, the party enjoyed
a bountiful and delicious picnic, furnished by Fur
veyor Pepper, a famous Norfolk restaurateur, VII"
commanded a boat that acted as q tender. Cham
pasne popped galy and merry jests went up, which
did not ccase till the enthusiastic party again reached
Deep Creek, after a most pleasant day. We must
.u:.k na.r.ta Elm Encf that fine c0innany pniOyph
~copious draughts of the dark juniper water that
gives such a peculiar aspect to the Lake and canal.
This water is highly priced for its conservative quail
ties, and a water boat pays regular visits to the
canal in order to supply vessels on long voyages.
On Saturday morning, in spite of the rain, our par
ty made u charming railroad excursion to Suffolk, and
the crossing Of the Norfolk and Petersburg aud the
S.aboard railroads a few miles beyond. We were the
guests of DR.. Collins and DR.. Mallory, the Presidents
the companies, whose intelligence and warm
hearted hospitality made the time pass most agreed
bly. Mr.. Walter Taylor, q director in the latter road,
added much to the enjoyment. The SeaLoard rail-
road, ~ miles to Weldon, is ono OF the finest and
most hourishing in the country. Revived by the en-
ergies of DIR. Collins, who has an efficient assistant
in Mr.. Hand, superintendent of repairs, it last year
receiver q GSeuuoo ~ <Oof"oo IN ''She WV ~y'
Norfolk and Petersburg railroad, 20 miles to Pc
tersburg, is all under contract, and, it is thought, will
be completed in about thirteen months. 1t is admit
rably laid out and prosecuted by Engineer Malone
and bis assistants, Messrs. Upshur and Sprigg, and is
for lite perfectly straight stretch of fty.f''0
,aile,. 1t crosses on a level abo0e the Seaboard road tour
miles beyond Suffolk. The bed of the road IS loo
feet wide, and its construction through the Dismal
Swamp, with it's broad bitches or rather canals on
each side, draining the wild swamp, is successful aud
In reaching this latter point, we crossed the
canal Of tho Dismal Swamp Land Company, which
brings down shingles in long. narrow boats, along a
feeder, uniting Lake Drummond with Nansemond
river at Suffolk. This company, organized BY Gen.
Washington, is admirably managed by Tazewell Tay-
lor, Esq.
Suffolk is an old, but handsome village, situated at
tho head of navigation on Nansemond river, a beauti-
full stream, Astounding in fine oyaters, fish and crabs.
In the Revolution, and u few years since, it suffered
terribly from fires. We enjoyed On excellent dinner
at McGuire's "Central HOTEL furnished at the in
stance of the President of the Norfolk and Petersburg,
Rail Road company. We were treated most kindly
by the people of Suffolk, including Wings Demo-
Gratis and Know othings-among them Messrs' D.
w. Keeling, Kilby, Nat. Riddick and Capt. Flynn
On the Seaboard road we stopped and tasted tho Wa
ter of d. Jordan's bold Magnolia Salt Sulphur
Spring, whose medical qualities, especiallythe Iodine,
have already given it u favorable reputation.
We have only space to refer hurriedly to q Sunday
visit to Norfolk, of whose handsome houses aud
churches, lovely gardens and magnificent harbor we
took a rapid view. Norfolk and Portsmouth ae
growing, but not 20 rapidly as their immense com.
mercial advantages would justify. We hope yet to
see them feel the impetus of the great spirit Of inter-
nal Improvement which is Just now infusing itself in