Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-08-12
Letter from the Editor.
MoRGANToN, Aug. 4. 1876

MoRGANToN, Aug. 4, 1857.
We are comfortably quartered at the
walton House," in this place, kept by G..
S. Brown. Esq.-a Hotel equal to any we
have ever met with in any Of the Cities.
After leaving home, we stopped at the
beautiful and quiet village of Salem, where
we were detained for several days by the
sickness of our family. We met here with
a large number Of persons from the South.
ern and Eastern counties of the State, some
of whom had repaired thither to spend the
Summer in that healthy region, and others
were on the way to and from the Pilot Noun
tain and the Piedmont Springs. 1t was the
week for the opening of the Female School
at Salem an institution well known as the
oldest as well as one of the best schools in the
country. The school was filed to overflow
ing immediately-the whole number it was
capable of accommodating $3.50 pupils) be-
ing already entered. Several persons who
had carried daughters there, some of them
from as great a distance as Mississippi, had
to return with them, or seek other Schools.
We had the pleasure of attending a meet
ing of Salem Division. Quite a large mum
Der of ladies and gentlemen were in atten-
dance, and we were g~rati6ed to see the in
terest and earnestness prevailing among its
members.
OW1nR 10 luGf0 UeluS HU COuN6yduCo by
which we could reach Pennington, and il
+. being improper for US to be long absent from
our sick family, we were unable to meet ou1
appointment to speak at Pennington on the
LIST instant. We deeply regretted this anC
were perhaps more grieveously disappointed
at not being able to meet with many whose
acquaintance and friendship we desired tt
cultivate, than were any persons who expec
ted to hear US speak on the occasion.
Leaving Salem, we passed over the coun
try to Lexington. The corn crop looked lux
uriant all on the way, having been favored
with daily showers for two or three week
past. This latter has, however, been quit
sniurious to the wheat and oats caught out il
the fields poorly protected in little shocks.
At Lexington we noticed the walls wer
rapidly going up of the large and elegan
Court House now in course of erection b
Messrs. Dudley & Ashley. 1t is to be pei
haps the finest Court House in the State
We noticed little or no other improvement
in the place.
Here we took the cars and soon foun
ourselves seated at the well-furnished tab
of DR.. Hqpboldt, of the Veranda House,
Salisbury. This Hotel is located immediat
ly at the Depot, is handsomely furnished
all it's apartments, with a gentlemanly, q
l0IUIN6 11OoG, dLlu 10 JOSO Ii pldCO 1OE IL
weary traveller to feast the inner man al
enjoy comfortable and ever luxurious repos
Finding the route to the mountains q
7 Charlotte would subjectus to less night tray
than that from Salisbury 0iG Statesyille, ,
FASTENED on to Charlotte, where we spe
E the night. A short ramble over the toy
, showed US several new buildings in cour
r of erection, among which are two splend
; houses of worship for the Presbyterian a
Episcopal congregations.
n On the morning we took stage for Linco
$ ton, having for travelling companions, ]
Rev. Bishop Atkinson and his pleasant a
4 amiable wife. With such agreeable and
v tertaining company, the time and trip pass
delightfully."-. The route to Lincolnton .
r sesses nothing particularly interesting
n remark upon but the village itself is rat
IL neat, progressing place. The Co
House is a beautiful building, standing
an eminence in the centresof the town, 6
commanding a handsome view of the s
rounding Countrywide lofty hills and t.
eri4g mountains looming up In the distan
presenting a view quite interesting to a Il
:. Under, such as ourself.
W At the request of the members of the
=. vision, we addressed a respectable mum
~ of their fellow-citizens, at night, on the S
= iect of Temperance. Lincolnton Division
'e notwithstanding some 80 male and alb
~ SO female members. The right spirit is
among the brethren here, and the happy
~ fuenee they exert upon community is
knowledged and appreciated by every g
~ citizen.
n Next morning we took private conveya
~ for Morganton. The road to this place
rough and billy, constantly admonishing
ne traveller that he is gradually ascending
W lofty highlands for which western Nc
ne Carolina is SOL distinguished. After pass
-. about halfway, some 20 miles, we comm
~ ced ascending the Laurel mountains; p
ing through the gaps in the same, and be
al surrounded by the towering heights WI
- dark, deep forests stand as verdant sentil
on either side, while be is constantly cross
M embarrassing the South Fork o the Cata1
~ river, which with other streams seem tt
running in every manner-sometlmes d'
nov ing along in a southernly direction
again bending away to the north t
leaping impetuously in an easterly direct
b;s and occasionally absolutely seemingly te
ing to the west, where towering mounts
70 stand and defy its approach. 1t pres'
indeed a novel scene to us who are in
habit of seeing all our streams hurrying
in one direction to the great ocean of wat