The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-01-28
LOCAL MATTERS.

City Council-A called meeting of the Council
was held in the Council Chamber last Saturday af.
ternoon, Messrs. Mills. McCance, Butler, Crutch.
field Quarles, Sinton, Ayres, Snead, Richards, and
Stearns being present-Messrs. Talbot, Fry Di
brell and Scott being absent.
Special Business.-The President stated that the
meeting had been called to receive an application
from committee Of citizens for the use Of the new
hall over the first market for the purposes of the
Commercial Convention, to meet here on the 30th
of January.
Mr. McCance then offered the following resoIu.
ton, which was adopted:
Resolved, That the use Of the Hall over the frst
market, be granted to the delegation Of one hun
dred citizens, appointed by the Mayor, under au.
thority vested in him by q called meeting Of the
citizens at the City Hall on the Goth of December
to make such arrangements as may seem proper
for the meeting of the Southern and Western Com
mercial Convention, to meet in the city Of Rich
mond Wednesday next, the 30th January.
On motion of Mr.. Richards, o resolution was
adopted allowing Messrs. Pierson & Newell final
estimate on the new market building.
Mr. Butler presented petition from the Cont
mental Guard praying the free use of gas and wa
ter In their new armory in thelaw building during
the hours of drill, which was referred to the com
The Council then adjourned to meet again this
afternoon at o'clock.
Painful Accidental few days since the Captain
of the schooner "Prowess," now lying q short dis
tance below the city in the ice, left his vessel and
went lntO y uelQ near Uy 10 SHOOb some Dlf0b. al
ter being out short time, he killed one on the top
of stack, which lodged, and setting bis gun down,
he climbed up to get it. In attempting to descend,
he fell, and the muzzle of his gun striking him in
the abdomen, ripped out his bowels, inficting .
terrible wound After much difficulty, he managed
to get back to his vessel and sent for physician
who dressed his wounds When last heard from
his sufferings were very great, but hopes were
tertained of his recovery.
IN E1smpls Worthy Of Lmita.ien-There exists
In this city society composed Of about thirty Ia
dies and gentlemen who meet once q week for lit
erary Improvement and social enjoyment This
society has been in existence several winters At
its meetings. which conducted In parliamentary
order, the President calls the male members al
ternately to read aloud for the entertainment Of
the company in book selected by book commit
tee and approved by the society. The reading IL
continued for fifteen minutes at time, with inter-
walls of fvo or ten minutes for conversation
Members are also appointed at each meeting to
read at the next meeting brief articles OF their own
selection from good authors Occasionally, also,
original essays, poems, conondrums, ETC., are re.
quirsd by vote Of the society, while ample scope 10
allowed at every meeting for the play Of innocent
wit and chaste humor in inpyomptH discussions,
which some how or other sure to spring up.
During the severe weather Of the last winter, 1t
was proposed that the ladies should make garments
for the poor during the sessions Of the society the
gentlemen supplying the funds for the purchase OF
materials. The proposition was eagerly embraced,
committee Of visitation and distribution appoint-
| ed, and many garments made and carefully be-
slowed. This winter, the beneficiary feature has
been put under special organization and its opera
tons in this department Increased IN interest and
| Importance The door has been opened for contri.
buttons In money and clothing from persons not
members and its committee in this way is becom-
ing the almoner Of an extensive bounty. No gifts
are bestowed except in cases where personal In
| the committee that the recipients are such ~
should be aided The facts elected IN this course