The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-10-31
Glimpses of tho South,

In the last weeks issue, we give our read
ers copious extracts, from an account of the
Brooks dinner, which appeared in the columns
of the New York Times. Since then friend
has handed to us q copy of Menghcrs' Irish
Ne'cs. whicl, contains an article by the same
Reporter, under the above title. We were
struck with the contrast in the tone of the two
pieces Our Reporter is very chameleon.
In the first article prepared for q Northern
freesoil Journal he takes the hue of the me-
dlum in which lie appears; he cNaggerates our
peculiarltics, sneers at our deficiencies, and
amuses himself at our scce ssion proclvitics
But when lie prepares n contribution for the
Irish Nc~s, paper destined to circulate wide
ly at the South lie dips his pen in the coors
of the rainbow and lauds the frankncss, cor
diality, hospitality, intelligence and hu-
manity Of the Southern slnvcholder lie calls
Bishop Berkley al old fogy. and takes him to
task, formaking the charge ofinsipidity against
the Southern character; and thinks our i'm
Petuosity, wit and sprightliness would merit
any other arpellation sooner. We are almost
afraid that the extracts Of last week may have
satisfied our readers usquc ad ,uuscam but
as the question Of slavery and the relations be-
tween the North and South, are ut present PC
cniiaIly interesting. We can scarce forbcar
making few additional quotations. Our Re.
porter, too. is n very intelligent eye witness !;
and has a real lrisl, imagination, a good fund
OF Irish humor, and STYLE which throws rich
coiorlng upon the most common Incidents lie
arrives in Charleston on Saturday, the aSth
September, and remains there until the follow
ing Tuesday. His description of the harbor
and city is picturesque and graphic:
"Charleston, as every body knows who
knows anything, is the commercial capital of
South Carolina, and what is more, one of
the finest cities in the Union. Its situation
is rather low, and the country behind it, is
too fiat to warrant us in claiming for it
much OF the picturesque. The approach
from the harbor, however is beautiful. On
the right lies Suivan's Island, with its low
tropical-looking houses, its magnificent ho-
tel, and Fort Moultrie, great in revolution
ary annals, on its further extremity. On
the left, pretty undulating fringe o. shore,
green as emerald, stretches away as far as
the eye can reach, until lost in the blue
haze OF the horizon. In front rise the tall
spires and white towers Of the city, bathed
in flood Of golden light, and springing, as
it were, from the very bosom of the bay.
II saw from out the wave her structure rise
AS from the stroke of an cnchanter's wand"
The city, viewed internally, is clean; the
streets, spacious; the buildings, generally
handsome; the stores elegant; and its bust
ness aspect indicates wealth, prosperity, and
progress. The greatest drawback is its uu-
healthiness during the warm months"
Our Reporter remains long enough in Charles
ton to be most favorahIy impressed with the
kindness md hospitality of the citizens lie
seems really to give expression to his genuine
feelings in the following paragraph:
81 can hardly describe the pleasure I ex.
periencea in meeting some old friends in
Charleston, whom had not seen for several
years before, and who, with hospitality
that used only to be Irish, and with warmth
of friendship and nobility Of kindness that
are seldom found anywhere out of the State,
did their best to make my stay agreeable
| am bound to say they succeeded to per-
lection. To one fresh from the North, and
habituated to Northern feelings and char
acter, the quick sensibilitics, overflowino
nature, chivalric tone and convivial temper
that form the prominent traits Of our South
ren brethren, cannot fail at first sight to
appear somewhat extravagant. This i'm
preston soon wears away, however and
even if it did not, it is an extravaganza
with which nobody can be dispIeased. Ger
talnIy |, fo' one, regretted my inability to
enjoy more OF it."
Our friend arrived in the city when the sad
result Of the Taber and Magrath difficulty, fur.
nished the theme Of general conversation, and
lie has given a dramatic sketch of the duel
which we presume to be correct in its details
Of the parties he thus speaks:
'Mr. Taber was young man, influentially
connected, though personally, believe,
rather unpopular. His abilities were of
the first order, and bis prospects of attain
ing future distinction as public man,
brilliant in the extreme. He was fearless,
almost 10 aulacity, and enjoyed consedera-
BILE reputation as a duelist. McGrath,
though young maniof family remarka-
bic for talent, was regarded as one of those
quiet, easy harmless, goodnatured fellows
VINO never trouoie themselves ABOUT any
thing, and glide so smoothly down the
stream of life, that not ripple is left to
mark their track. And yet see the Celtic
recklessness Of the man when his feelings
were aroused. Stepping forward as the
voluntary champion of the good name
of his brother, heindted sort of whole
sale challenge. peremptorily demanding of
both editors Of the Mercury an immediate
retraction, or immediate satisfaction. Taber