Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1856-12-18

BALTIMORE, Dec. 8, 1856.

lSoMMGNICATED.J
BALTIMORE, Dec. 8, 1856.
Nr. Editor: I do not know that this
communication will interest any of your ma
ny readers in good old Charles, hence I
have no apology for trespassing upon your
columns. Yet think if you will give it
place in some vacant corner of the Times it
may, perhaps, attract the attention of some
one who feels an interest in that section of
Virginia, which I have recently had the
pleasure of visiting. Northumberland is
one of the counties in the Northern Neck
that portion of the State lying between the
noble Potomac and the beautiful Rappahan-
mock. The location of the county is gene
rally low, and yet from many Of the most
prominent points, along the river and bay, a
scenery is presented equally as beautiful and
sublime as the romantic mountain views so
numerous in the upper part of the State
Twill mention particularly the extensive and
picturesque view from the residence of Col.
S, the most elevated position upon the
beautiful little Cone. Looking to the right
from his portico, you see the broad Chesa-
peake with its silvery sheet of apparently in
t,rminable waters, and directly in front of
his residence the country is truly lovely and
charming. In the distance is St. Mary's
rich azure shore and the noble Potomac with
its many beautiful little tributary streams,
whose placid waters running irregularly
through the variegated forests resemble veins
of shining silver, the whole forming scene
ry which would require the pen of one more
skilled in description to do it justice, for it
is indeed more magnificent than the produce
ton of any pictorial art. The soil upon the
river is of most excellent quality, and al
though the lands in the interior of the coun-
ty are not under such high state of cult
walton, and their productive qualities much
impaired from constant culture, yet they are
susceptible of easy improvement by applica-
ton of the proper fertilizers, and are we'll
adapted to the growth Of all the cereal crops.
The farmers generally are good managers,
industrious and prosperous, and manifest
that degree of interest in their pursuit which
has rendered many of them distinguished as
agriculturists.
Although every city, village and county
in the Old Dominion has long been proven
bal for the obliging and hospitable DISPOSE
tion of its people, yet / venture to assert
that in no section Of that good old State of
Presidents is that peculiar characteristic of
her happy noble and generous people SO
bountcously prevalent as among the citizens
of the beautiful county of Northumberland.
They are prc-eminent for that sincere hos
pitality for which Virginians have been so
long and meritoriously distinguished. They
not only receive you as friends but they ex-
tend that brotherly welcome which gladdens
the heart of the stranger and produces that
ease and composure he is accustomed to en-
joy around his own cheerful freside at home.
l found them true and genuine specimens of
the old Virginia gentlemen, in full posses
sion of all those estimable traits which new
tie Stranger a friend. They manifest the
deepest concern for your enjoyment whilst
among them, and with that free, frank and
unassumed politeness offer all the amuse-
ments the country affords. Those who are
fond of such rural sports as the fox and deer
chase or bird shooting, can there enjoy them
to their hearts content.
Heathsville, the county scat, is a hand
some village quietly situated at the head of
Cone river. 1t has fine church, a hand
some court house, and many beautiful little
cottages, presenting the appearance of COM
fort and neatness, and in charming contrast
with the lofty forest oaks by which they are
surrounded. There is another praiseworthy
characteristic of her citizens, to which 1
take great pleasure in abiding. They are
a church-going people; and although the
county is not very thickly populated, yet
they have many large and handsome church.
es. Religion finds there an appreciation
worthy of it's importance, they regard it
more enviable by far than all the luxuries
and emoluments that wealth can bestow.
Nearly every head of family is member
of some church, and attaches the greatest
Importance to family worship, that momen-
tous obligation which every Christian intui-
lively feels to his great and merciful Bene-
factor. / cannot imagine more interest
ing and imposing scene than family group
kneeling at their daily prisons, and in child
like simplicity fervently praying to the great
Redeemer Of man for His protection, and
with the most fervent spirit of devotion
thanking him for the blessings they enjoy.
Suffice it to say, in conclusion, Mr. Editor,
that if you should ever visit that section of
Old Virginia, you will leave with the same
which prompt me to write this
feeble commentator of its noble people.
OBSERVER.