New-York daily tribune., 1856-03-22

Il
guage to express, at seeing. for the first time'
young negroes Of both sexes, from twelve even 70
fifteen years DID, not only running about the house.
but absolutely tending table, naked as they came
into the world, not Layirg even the poor apology
:. of fe-leaf to save modesty blush Wha' made
the scene more extraordinary still, to my unprac-
ticed eve. was the fact that several young women
were at table, who appeared totally unmoved at
the scandalous violation Of decency. l find ems
tom will reconcile US to almost everything.
After journey Of seventy days, having Travelled
over twelve hundred miles On horseback or In
sulky. be arrived at Charleston about the middle OF
November. He had kept his funds quilted in the
lining of his coat and had the happiness to deliver
them safely to Mr.. Browns correspondent. For
one or two months, be mingled freely in the gay
society of Charleston, when an event occurred
which spread gloom over the whole city. This
was terrific conHagation, on the night Of Jan. Is,
ITS. He had been spending the evening with
brilliant party at the house of wealthy merchant.
In two hours after leaving the festive scene, the
stately mansion and its sumptuOus furniture were
wrspt in flames The fire spread with terrible ra-
pi6ity, and ragged for seventeen hours. The devas
tation was frightful. Every vessel, shallop, and
negro boat, was crowded with the inhabitants who
had been driven from their homes Many families
were thus ced in few hours from affluence to
indigence. After lsboring for long time at the
fire, Elkanah returned TO bis quarters to obtain q
brief respite He had no sooner seated himself
than q man rushed in exclaimng, "Your roof Is
on fire." The shower of sparks and cinders had
taken effect, though the cOnhagratiOn was at
distance. The flame was soon e2tnguished, and
our hero thought it was time to look after bis
trunk which contained funds to large amount
He was unable to procure assistance and houldered
1t himself. The weight was greater than on ordi-
nary occasions he could have lifted, and, staggering
under the burden, he proceeded along Main street.
The fire extended far and wide, spreading sea of
fame in every quarter. He soon found himself
prostrated on the ground at the side of bis trunk
by the explosion Of large building. He escaped
without injury and hastened on till he reached a
magnificent house in the suburbs Of the city
Entering it without hesitation and seeing no one,
he went into splendid parlOr, deposited his trunk
in closet, locked the door and put the key in his
pocket Early the next morning he set out in pur-
suit of his trunk, passing through the smoking
ruins, and in constant danger from the falling Of
walls and chimneys. Upon reaching the house,
which he then first discovered was the residence
of Governor Rutledge, he requested his trunk. A
young gentleman, who had opened the door for
him, eyed the stranger with suspicion and refused
to deliver the property. Elkanah presented
sorry spectacle and justly excited suspicion. His
clothes had been torn at the fire, and his hands and
face had not escaped without injury. He quelled
his rising modification, and forthwith proceeded to
friend, of whom he borrowed clean shirt and a
decent suit of clothes (his own being locked up in
the Governors closet) got shaved and powdered,
and again sailed forth in quest Of his trunk. ~
knocked with confidence, was politely received by
the same young gentleman, who evidently did not
recall my features. was ushered into the pres
ence of the Governor. l stated to him where l
had placed my trunk, and was apologizng for the
liberty, when he interrupted me, remarking that
the fearful crisis justified me. He continued:
Sit down, Sr-will you take glass of wine ?
My Secretary informed me that person called for
the trunk an hour or two ago, but, not liking his
appearance, he had declined delivering it,. The
Governor was much amused at understanding that
was the person who had called. Irecord this In
cident to show the importance of external appear
ance to a mans success in the world, and more
particularly among strangers"
After series of interesting adventures in South
Carolina and Georgia, Elkanah retraces his steps,
and arrives at Providence the last of April, 1716,
after an absence of eight months having traversed
ten States and travelled nearly three thousand
miles. At the commencement of the next year, he
accepts proposals frsm Mr. Brown to proceed to
France for business purposes. He had just at
tanned the age of twentyone but not without "a
deep disappointment" in his expectations in re-
spect to "his establishment in life" 1t was not
until the month Of August that he embarked for
France and first landing at the little City Of st.
Martins, on the Isle Of Rhea, Travelled across the
country TO Paris. He was the bearer Of dispatches
10 DR.. Franklin, to whom be at once paid his
respects at Passy. At the request of Dr. Franklin,
Young Elkanah waited on the Count de Vergennes
with the dispatches, and was received BY the
French statesman with great civility. Having
feasted his eye with the beauties Of Versailles be
expressed wish to the Counts secretary to SEQ
the royal family. This funcionary at once took
the curious American to the royal chapel, which
the King and Queen soon entered. He describes
the King as somewhat robust, with full face,
Roman nose, and placid eountenance. The Queen
had an elegant person, fine figure, and hsrid
complexion, with bright gray eyes, full of express
sion The next day, he returns to Passy, to dine,
! ky IN - in vx.,kh ErauE1u