Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-11-11
NO. XVIII.
A Trip. to Florida-No.. I.

| llAtNESNILLE, AIh., OCts <Otii, 1Cc''
i In compliance with parting promise to one of
you, Messrs. Editors, on the eve ofmy departure,
/ propose giving to your readers, among whom
| have many valued friends, such Incidents con-
nected with my Journey hither, and the jour
neys yet before me, as trust will at least en-
tertain them during some of their leisure mo
ments. - nr
| Having passed five consecutive winters in
Highland County, the last two of which no one
as far north dis Virginia need be informed were
very severe. j, like many others, had been
thinking of q "more southern climate; and the
fact that | had brother in Florida, naturally
turned my thoughts in that direction. The re.
suit, therefore, of much thinking, and careful en-
quiry, YVES, that determined to 60 and see the
country. The 29th of October, bad, for some
time, been fixed upon as the time of my depar-
/ ture An unexpected invitation from this place
to take it on my way, induced me to do SO, and
consequently had to set out much earlier than
| I had intended. accordingly took the cars at
Staunton on the goth inst, and at the sound of
GAIL aboard. set out to the tune of about 20
an hour.
Every observant traveller will be struck at
the outset Of his journey and at every stopping
4 place along the way, with the very rough usage
/ to which all baggage is subjected. There is
scarcely q porter who does not seem to try its
power of endurance, and hence We occasionally
hear OF the "bustiDg" OF trunk, and the "spil-
ling" of q travellers clothes. Here theE, is an
enormous evil which ought not to be endured.
But who is to correct it! and who can! Not
the traveller surely, for he has no authority that
will avail. II, however, he pays sufficiently for
his accommodation at Hotels, cars, &C., this
surely includes the proper care Of bis baggage.
The occasional dismission Of an agent therefore,
with now and then q few stripes to Cuffee, by
the proper authorities, would no doubt effect
speedy and wonderful reform. know of no
other dereliction of duty on the part of the au-
thorities referred TO- but here it is Gerry manifest
and Gerry great.
The next general remark would make, is, the
appalling effects everywhere talked Of of the
suspension of specie payments by the Banks
next to o suspension by the neck-seems more
than anything else to have Mortified the people.
How long this horrible hanging is to last, no one
have met with seems to conjecture. 1t is no
doubt the sincere wish of some that it may last
till the Banks are all dead, of others until thers
is q protective tariff that will keep our specie a5
home, of others until the Sub-Treasury is repeal
ed, and the many idle millions locked up in it's
vaults brought out and circulated for the benefit
Of the people, and Of others until there is T.
nited States Bank that will give US q convent.
ent and portable representation of the coin au-
thorized by the Constitution.
People may speculate as they will about these
matters, but the present great multiplicity OF
Banks, and arrangement Of the currency, was
all foretold with most wonderful accuracy when
the present new and untried policy was begun.
But must not dabble any further in politics
lest be suspected OF being politician.
On reaching the top OF the Blue Ridge l cast
parting fearful glance at the valley in which
was born, and which contains the sepulchres of
my psrents-of several OF my children, and of
numerous friends. Whilst musing over these
matters view of the garden east OF the ridge
broke in upon the melancholy reverie. Altho'
passage through the tunnel will, in addition to
other and greater advantages greatly shorten
the time of travel between Staunton and Rich
inond; no one possessed of capacity to enjoy
this prospect, and who has enjoyed it, will
greatly wonder at the wish some one is report
ed to have expressed, viz: THAT the tunnel may
never be finished"
1t is said of musseman, that when from the
top of mountain, he caught his first glance at
the valley of Damascus, he instantly turned a.
way his face, saying "The Koran declares NO
one can ever see more than one paradise, and as
mean to take my chance for the paradise a.
boye, must not loose it for the sake of look
at paradise below" The christians Bible teach
es on the contrary, that by beholding the works
of God on earth, we will be more likely to de-
sire to behold them above. therefore employ
ed my full powers Of vision at this most delight
full prospect.
On reaching Richmond went directly for the
Petersburg Depot, and struck for Wilmington,
n g., which, reached at six o'clock on Wednes-
day morning. From there for Augusta, Ga,
which reached at o'clock on Thursday morn
ing, and from there to Montgomery Alabama
which reached at six o'clock on Friday morn
ing; distant from Stanton about 1000 miles,
Friday being very wet day did not turn out.
On Saturday hired conveyance and came to
this place, directly South OF Montgomery, and
distant from it % miles. On my arrival went
Immediately to the store of the only gentleman
in the place of whom had ever heard, but be-
fore could hand him my card, he sprang to his
feet saying This is Mr.. -" "Why sir
said '.you know me by instinct swell sir"
he replied, "we will not debate that point, but
YOU will 90 to my house." And so here am
Just as comfortable as Southern kindness can
make me. At this place shall remain but
few days longer and then resume my journey to
Florida, where hope to arrive sometime next
week. ASK.
There was light frost and cool breeze at
Stanton on the morning started. After this
there was regular increase OF a northern at
mosphere as come South, until Ipassed half
way through Georgia. At Wilmington n g.,
the frost was severe on the morning of the 2lst,
and still more so at Augusta, Ca, on that of the
22nd. AT this place its effects are scarcely vis-
ible.
Ny first night on the cars / passed without
Sleep and the second with but very little. On
the third however I could do but little else
From my own experience, as well as from my
observation of the effect on Others, think |
may recommend to oil travellers two nights
loss of sleep as a cure for wakefullness on the
third. The exceptions to this general rule am
confident will be few.
Our arrival at Atlanta, Ga, was during the
State fair. This had brought many people to the
place. and among them one of the light fingered
gentry. Two cars having arrived about the
same time, afforded as he supposed, a fine oppor-
tunity for him. He accordingly made several
attempts at gentleman's watch, but without
success. Being detected in the effort, he fled,
but was soon arrested. Aside from this, and
the running over cow and hog at the same
time. which threw four wheels OF our engine off
the track, nothing else occurred worthy of no.
tice
The population of Hanyesve is about $780,
1t is situated on a sandy rise, is well shaded and
has excellent water. From all have seen or
heard, would suppose it to be healthy. The
weather is as mild as in the latter part of May
with you. IL. b.
SINGULAR OBSTRUCTION OF TELEGRAPH Con-
MUNIoArIoN.-T Elmira (N. ~ Gazette tells
of the obstruction of telegraph communication
near that place, as follows: An immediate
search was instituted for the obstruction. which
was found at place where the main and auxiI-
iary line ran parallel for few rods and q dis
tance of about six inches apart. At this spot
4. &t1,. H. 10,