The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1857-09-03

ASIMpnoNpTu TougSAMExr.--A correspondent Of
the Richmond Enquirer, writing from the Rock
bridge Baths, furnishes the following, under date
of August a:
We had 80 gay time Of II here yesterday, that
have thought it would be only proper to note the
proceedings Of tho day, part Of the chronicles of
the springs. The company at this new watering
place has risen to one hundred and fifty and up-
wards, and Is of a very superior character. His
Excellency, the Governor, left us yesterday for
Richmond. but his family remain for the rest of the
season. number of the most agreeable of the
families of your city have made this their abiding
place for the summer. Among the company now,
we may properly mention such prominent gentle
men as the Hon J. W. Brockenbrough. Of the Fed
eral Court; Hon. Geo III. Lee of the Court of An
peals; Hon. John Letcher. Hon. Mr.. Sawyer of
Norfolk; Col. T. H. Smith, Rev DR.. Jeter, of Rich
mond, &C., &C. 1t was proposed, yesterday, to
vary the routine OF amusements by q tournament.
The idea a sudden one, but under the sklful
supcrintendence of gentleman from Eastern yir-
ginia, familiar with the ceremonies of such occa-
sions, the needful preparations made
The ground selected was level tnrf, Just in front
of the hotel and no less than thirteen Knights en-
tered the lists. Mrs Gov. Wise, Mrs Judge Brock
enbrough and Mrs. Sawyer. acted as judges Mr.
Wm- j. Green as clerk and legal adviser, and Mr..
j. u. Dorman as herald and orator. For an I'M
,romptu affair, and with riders totally inexperi-
enced in fitting at the ring, it passed off remarka-
bly, well.
The successful champions were Charles Jordan.
OF Alleghany, knight of Ivanhoe Cadet c. Grew,
Knight of the V. NJ. l. G.. Poindexter knight of
Wynne, and Cadet McCarty, Knight of the Old Do
minion. They selected respectively Miss s. Saw
YER of Norfolk, as the Qneen of Love aud Beauty:
Miss Laura Sawyer. Miss Lon Burton, of Miss and
Hiss Fannie Smith, of Lexington as Maids of
Honor.
The ball at night was opened in due form by the
successful Knights, with the ladies of their choice
and the dance was kept up in animated and bril-
liant style by party of gay and cheerful spirits
THE OCEAN STEAM RAcERs-JoRN DULL's SIDE OF
THE SToRY.-The Albion 1.-THE British organ in New
York. claims that the Vanderbilt has not beaten
the best time made by the Persia. 1t says:
"The Vanderbt's arrivals at this port and de-
partures from 1T, are calculated to and from San
dy Hook; the Persia from the battery. The course
pence to southampton il from 60 to G5 miles longer
than that to Liverpool. For this difference in
distance our accommodating navigator lops off
seven hours, whereas four and q half would be
very liberal estimate if the Wander filt ever steam
ed mp to southampton at all Hut she does no
such thing. Her English destination is Cowes
about eleven miles short of southampton; nor is
il even to Cowes that the ready reckoner reels off
his log. lie stops short at the Needles some ten
miles further yet to the westward and there max
| ing up his claim for the championship with pre-
else accuracy, debts himself, in time, with the
| run from Sandy Hook to the Needles and takes
| credit in time for the run from New York to
| southampton, the last seven hours being at the
speed OF nine miles an hour. The process is inge-
Nous but too fmsy to bear testing"
There is no doubt that the Vanderbilt is a very
| fast vessel but her owner and the press should be
| content with reporting her passage fairly. For
| the present the Persia retains the laureis Brig
is good dog, but IIoldfast is better.
| Fort MONROE AND THE RIP RAPs.-A letter from
Old Point, Virginia, to the st. Louis Republican.
| SAYS
| Fort Monroe. it may be interesting to state was
| first planned and located in 1877, by a board of
commissioners appointed by Congress, and consist
ing of Commodores Lewis Warrington and J. d. IL
| lott; j. G.. Swift chief engineer Gen. 8. Bernard
| u French engineer; Vim. X. Armistend colonel
| engineer; and VIM Mckee, major engineer This
is the largest ratification in the United States and
was constructed ut cost OF two and half millions
0f dollars. 1t mounts 81 guns, costing $685., 30,
and in time of war requires a garrison of some
| 2,450 me3.
Just opposite to Fort Monroe is Fort Calhoun.
! commonly called the "Trip Raps,' which was also
| commenced in 1877, at an estimated cost of two
| million three hundred and ninety four thousand
| three hundred and twcnty-eight dollars Only the
foundation has been laid, which has cost one mil
lion six hundred and sixty four thousand nine hun
| dred and ninety-six dollars and which has been
accomplished by sinking immense quantities of
stone in water, until the pile rises above the sur
ace. This huge rock pile, covering several acres,
has sunk six feet since it was first commenced but
for the past three years it has been entirely sta
| tionarv, and now the government will proceed to
| erect the necessary walls and buildings. The fort
l is 10 IlOuut Two nu0uTeu ana tWe0ty-0ur guns.
costing two hundred aud thirteen thousand seven
| hundred and eight dollars; and in time of war will
| require 1l2O men to garrison it.
| GoOD ADVICE TO FIRExEN-The Rev. NJ W. Willis
| of Nashua, N H., has written letter to the Fire
men of that city, which contains some excellent
| advice, applicable to the same class elsewhere. He
| says:
81 pray you TO consider the Importance of rightly
using your spare hours. beg you to feel that as
You organizations each one of you il. in some
sense, responsible for the consideration and estma-
tion in which the whole is held Firemen are apt
to be given To spending money freely. Be generous
TO suffering brother, but be prudent and watch
fUi over the Sn0H leaks. which leave you at the end
Of the month year without a dollar. While Won
are young, well and strong, something against
the day of need Beware of late hours Remem-
ber. too, the need of respect of the entire commu-
nlty, for whose defence and security you are organ
iZed. Soon the long evenings of fall will be here
BE wise in watching every spare hour Have some
instructive volume near. Create the habit and
taste for reading In the wide range of historical
ana other valuable books. yon will find those things
which Will store your minds and improve your
hearts. There are valuable works on your own
mechanical business, whatever that may be- which
yon woald do well to study
ON IRoNsIDEs-The Boston Advertiser. in n notice
of the work at the Portsmouth IN. H. navy ward
has the following about the cid Constitution:
The large force which has been engaged upon
to the frigate Constitution, which vessel has been
successfully hauled up through the dry dock on
shore, and is undergoing thorough oyerhau!ing
Most of the pankiug Will he removed and the CON
per will be entirely taken off ''Old Irousides has
always ranked well as fast sailer, and is consid-
cred a handsome model for man-ofwar, even at
the present day. But little remains of the cher
shed old frame which has brought much honor
to the United States Navy. A few timbers and
piece of the keel of the old ship ALL besides the
model, which warrant the name. few more
pairs, and all bnt the model will be gone: but her
name will be cherished and preserved long Is
the fame of the achievements of her old command
ers remembered.
WEAT Is MEXICO TO DO WITH THE SPASIARDs Sc
nor u. lose Maurel Puis good authority estimates
the number IF SpanarGs in Mexico AT the present
time mt 100000. The question is, what shall he
done with them i'm of q with Spain. Sr
p. suggests the organization of n foreign legion
composed of residents in Mexico Of every national
ity. except Spaniards which acting sort OF spc-
cal home police shall be charged with maintaining
the peace and tranquility of the country. till such
time as the invader shall have been expelled.
MAIL SERVICE ~ yrRGINIA-Thc Postmaster Gen
era has ordered the following:
Route No. 527l-Central Plains to Seven Islands
contract is ordered with c. j. Mayo of Central
Plains. vice Johnson, declining. On route 5295-
Lynchburg to Pittsylyania c. H--Campbel G. IL.
is to be embraced between Lynchburg and Yellow
Branch. Route 490l-Cloyer Depot To Providence
is changed 10 end AT Barksdale, laliIaX county,
special supply of Barksdae consequently discontin-
ued.
QUICK Work IN SHIP DCILDtSG.-Mr. Samuel Sne-
den, of New York has just finished steamer for
the Chilli trade, of 400 tons, for Capt. Nye. She
was built in the most thorough manner, launched.
coPpered, and alongside the wharf at the Morgan
Iron Works, ready to receive her machinery, In
just sixty days from the day the order was given
Quick work
BIRTH IN THE CARs.-A young German woman
gave birth to an infant on the train of ears whicI,
reached Wheeling on the 2Gth ult., frcm Baltimore
The young mother was on her way, with number
Of her courtrymcn aud women, to Utah.
In AuIf of the