The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1857-09-10

lower Mississippi, within few hours of
business communication Of each other
This line, too, will undoubtedly serve as
the principal conduit Of supply and demand
for Arkansas aud Texas; and should the
Pacific road be ever undertaken and com.
completed, it will no doubt act rs one of
the most important, if not the most impor-
tant, Of all the numerous arteries running
from the main track of that continental
highway to different points Of the Atlantic
scaboard. From Memphis, by any practi-
cable route TO New York, the distance is al
most twice that 10 Norfolk. Besides this
immense extent Of back countv-thc mast
fertile on eartl-tl,a!, looking both TO time
and the expense Of carriage would thus
naturally seek commercial outlet through
the Chesapeake, Bay Norfolk, it must he
, borne i'll mind, is more cliSibly situated
than any other city in the Union, for easy
access and departure at all seasons Of the
year, and for depth of water. 1t can boast
the finest harLor and roadst. al on the Con-
tinent. 1t can at all times command depth
of more than thirty feet of water. Thus
ships of the largest dimensions, like the
great Eastern, can easily approach Norfolk,
when the bars and shoals unfortunately OBJ
structing the channels leading into New
York, render, it impossible for Ships of this
class to visit that city. The larger the
vessel, it is said, the greater the motive power
which can be applied; ami if it ever SO
happen-wl'at is highly probable indeed
that steamships of extraordinary tonnage
shall Cross the ocean from Norfolk to Liv-
crpooI, Milford Haven, or IIavrc, twenty
four hours in advance Of steamers from
New York, then it is apparent that this
single element OF time, So precious us to
be invaluable in mercantile transaction, will
override every other consideration what
ever, when based OH these advantages to
which we have already advcrted. We re
fer the reader, in conclusion, with the utmost
satisfaction, to the gratifying proceedings
Of the Convention at Old Point Comfort,
and we await the issue, respecting this rare
plan, with the utmost confidence of Il tr-
umpllant solution. We would advise those
who have money to invc>t-thc capitalists
Of the Northern and Eastern ci,ics-i,lstea,i
of continuing a course Of insane speculation
i'll wild Western lands, calculated before
long to bring ruin to hundreds and thou
| sands, to seek the James and Elizabeth
rivers, and the contiguous region; for unless
all the signs fail us, there arc millions on
millions Of dollars yet to he made by those
who shall move at proper time and in :.
proper way in this direction.
A"ccdo'c Of JoA~ Runaolph.-IIe was
travelling through part of Virginia, in whicl,
lie was unacquainted. During the time he
stopped night at an inn near the forks of
the road. The innkccper was Il fine gentle
man, and 10 doubt one Of the first families
of the Old Dominion. Knowing who his
distinguished guest was, he cndeavored du-
ring the evening to draw him into CONVEX
sation, but failed in all his efforts. But in
the morning, when Mr.. Randolph was ready
to set out, lie called for his bII, which, on
being presented, was paid. The landlord,
still anxious 10 have some conversation
with him, began as follows:
(which way are you travelling, Mr.. Ran
dolrh 2"
I" Sir" said Mr.. Randolph, will, look of
displcasure.
81 asked" said the landlord" which way
arc you travcIing:" ..
"IIavc paid you my bill 2"
"Yes."
ado owe you any thing more" ?"
"No."
We'll, I'm going just where l please
do you understand 2"
"Ycs."
e The landlord by this time got somewhat
excited. and Mr.. Randolph drove off; but,
to the landlords surprise, in a few minutes
sent one OF his servants to inquire wlicl, OF
il'e forks Of tho road to take. Mr.. Randolph,
not. being out of hearing distance, the land
lord spoke at the top Of his voice, "Mr.
Randolph, you don't owe me one cent Just
take which road you please" 1t is said
that the;air turned blue with the curses of
Randolpli.-Noyfolk Ne'os.
rs -s.>
Discovery Of The .SRon9s Tree an Cali.
tornia..Aman, while bathing near Meigg's
Wharf, accidentally came across soft,
fibrous substance growing a few Feet under
water, and was induced by curiosity to pull
it up by the roots to see what it was. He
brought it ashore, and on examination it
proved to be veritable, small.sized sponge
tree. There are about dozen pisces Of
sponge, averaging about six inches in d.
ameter eacl, orowino from q e;nolo .,o.u