The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-05-19
A visit g WfIliamsb.rx.

pose Of Willing away . little time determined to
vias that famed and time-houored cradle Of Re-
puolcanism and seat Of learning. Williamsburg.
~ was not thAt time hung heavily ON my hands;
but felt that some relaxation from the cares Of
tne ousy world would not be lost. was delighted
WITH reviewing scenes 90 interesting 70 me- and
derived the greatest sstisfaetion In visiting some
OF the insttutions of learning which are 30 ably
A. an object of especial interest, / visited the
hIGign institute. The graceful demeanor and the
ongnt and cheerful countenances of the young
girh who are pupils in the Institute bespeak the
eacenent and proper discipline of the schools
discipline which trains the pupil III the right way
wnhe 1t inficts no undue and rigid restraints TO
mar their cheerfulness and excite their discomfort
In every branch taught in the school there was
evioence OF Improvement; and at the risk of being
considered old fashioned, venture to sneak
especially of penmanship: department of insfruc
uon too much neglected In these days. saw here
some OF the neatest and best specimens of writing
that have ever seen. In the music room heard
at once the proofs of untirng diligence of teacher
and pupils. The brilliant performan nces of some
OF the pupils showed an unusual musical talent
The kind and affectionate manner of the gov
erness assured parents and guardians at once that
their children will be carefully attended to, as well
AZ properly trained and educated.
was present At the organization of the Mount
Vernon Association of Williamsburg, which met in
the old Raleigh Tavern. possibly in the same room
where WASHINGTON had often been. took much
witness the patriotic devotion of the intelligent la
dies Of Williamsburg to the object of the Associa,
ton.
The Lunatic Asylum, you know, is managed with
great ability and the most enlightened humanity
The neat and orderly character of the whole estab
lishment is worthy Of the utmost praise. The
apartments are remarkably cleanly and comforta
BILE. The treatment of the inmates Is the most
kind and iudicious. large garden has been ad.
ded to the grounds and saw one of the inmates
fIr1y h0r hac,.
that purpose. Some of the females were engaged
at needlework. Some that had been completely
restored were about to return to their homes
had the pleasure of nesting some of the ac
complished Professors of William and Mary Col
lege,, who seemed to be not only accomplished
scholars; but most polite and estimabe gentlemen.
have confidence in their ability and untiring en-
ergy, and trust that they may be able to restore
the venerable institution to its most fourishnx
condition.
did not visit the Female College, of which re-
port speaks well; and the outside appearance of
which is most creditable. I am sorry to saw it ia
not properly supported. Yet, if the fact of the
unsurpassed healthness of the ancient city its
could be more generally known, and better appre-
eiated, am sure none of her institutions would
languish for the want of support.
The town appears to be improving, some new
houses are going up and the stores are supplied
with beautiful stocks of goods. The winter has
been exceedingly severe upon the trees and shrub
berry, despoiling the place of some of its beauty-
Even the old oaks in the College ground had
suffered greatly, some of them, 1t was feared,
would hardly rally again.
On Sunday, attended divine service in the Old
Episcopal Church, and heard a sermon after my
own taste and faith, much to my edification. The
interior of the Church was very much changed
since the last sermon heard within its aged
walls.
The pastor of the Methodist Church 1 found to
be liberal and polite gentleman.
enjoyed much OF the kindness and hospitality
of the estimable citizens of Williamsburg, and
found that they had inherited large share of the
social virtues which distinguished their ancestors:
put yet as saw only three persons whom had
known in former days, my visit was not without
kind of melancholy pleasure. It was plain that
the generation / had known was nearly passed
away, and another that knew not, was sprung up
in its place
With these impressions bade adieu to the an.
cent city, and returned by the rapid locomotion Of
the day, to my own sweet home, feeling, neverthe-
less, refreshed and gratified by my journey. M.
THE RAILROAD ACCIDENT AT PANAMA "A
of them Y. Tribune who was in the
fatal train, crossing the Isthmus, says
was seated in one of the rear cars, and the
first sensation felt was a sudden jerk, and i'm.
medately looking out of the window I could see
the cars rushing upon each other until nine in
number were completely demolished. Every car
was crowded with passengers, containing at least
sixty persons. At present it is impossibts to est
mate the number killed and wounded or their
names. but when we consider that there were not
less than five hundred persons in the cars that
were shivered to atoms, IL must be low estimate
to say that fifty were killed, and at least hundred
and perhaps, many more badly wounded and 1t
seems almost miraculous that SO many escaped
with their lives. :.
The Aspinwall Courier of the Sd, gives the fol
lowing account of it
About half mile the other side of Gatun
Bridge the second car from the locomotive ran off
the track, from some cause now mex xplcable, and
eight others followed. Some were piled up on ton
of others across the track and others were rolled
off on either side.
These cars were filed almost entirely with
steerage passengers
As soon as possible after the crash tiJings were
sent to this place, and train was dispatched for
the purpose of bringing down the wounded.
Over hfty were brought down, two of whom
died here before they could be removed to the hos
pital.
After these were all cared for a, well as possible
the train, with additions, was returned to bring
down the uninjured passengers that had been left
ut the place of the accident.
This train returned at o'clock this morning
with . Few more wounded-and the most of the
passengers.
At the latest advices from the scene of this sad
affair, the wreck had not been yet entirely cleared,
but some 30 bodies had been taken out
But very Few ladies' and children were injured.
PRESBYTERIAN GENERAL ASSEMBLIES
Thursday both the Old and New School Presby.
terian General Assemblies met in New York. The
Old School assembled in DIR. PHILIPPE church, and
the Rev. DIR. Rice preached the opening sermon to
crowded congregation. Rev. Dr. Musgrave form.
erly of baltimore, closed the services with PRAYER
after which the Assembly was regularly cons,i.
tuted, and the roll of delegates called over The
Commercial says:
Rev. DR.. F. Macfarland, Of Virginia. was elected
moderator, and the Rev. DR., Campbell of Albany,
N. Y, temporary clerk
The first General Assembly held its meeting in
1879. consequently this is the 67th annual meeting
This body is composed Of representatives from the
numerous Presbyteries into which the Churches
divided, in the ratio of clerical and lay commits
sioner from every Presbytery, excepting those
Presbyteries which have more than twenty four
clergymen and churches, which are entitled to ad.
ditional commissioners, both clerical and lay for
the excess of their members over this amount
There were at the last meeting of the Central
Assembly 146 presbeteries, and probably there are
now l50 Were these all represented there would
be IN aggregate of over 800 commissioners. A
very fair representation is expected and II Is pre-
dicted that there will be $50 delegates In at
tendance These win represent over 900 churches,
having over 1900 communicants-embracing
many Of the most respectable and distinguished
men Of the land.
The New School General Assembly (sixty-se.
eond session. met in Rev. DIR. Adams church,
~ ri H- H.