Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-07-14
For the Spirit of the Age.
Sketches of Travel.

Sketches of Travel.
Mr.. EDITOR Il have formed an init
mate acquaintance with several Of the Edi-
torial Corps, have associated with them
enough to be affected by their influence
and that, or something else, prompts me,
when | am roaming, to "talk back" to the
friends | leave behind. True, may find
only ''little things" to tell about; but
have long since learned that we must not
sit idle and wait for earthquakes to shake
the pen or the tongue into life and action.
left home on the 21st inst. As far as
Haw River enjoyed the pleasant eompa-
ny of Mr.. Bain-Commissio Merchant
from Portsmouth. So much did like him
that | have resolved to give him a share
Of my patronage, should | ever be meta
fnorpho>ed into q farnea To seap4 the
climax of my good will for him, he pre-
sented me with a comfortable ''cap"-wel
suited to jolting stages and jostling cars
He is capital fellow and [ intend to speak
good words for Balm & Co.
AT Haw River took the stage for Yam
ceyville. Not very far from Y. | passed
a burial ground-which is almost If not
really intersected by the public road. The
wagon routes cross the bosom of the graves
and horses stumble over the stones which
stand as proofs of the worlds inhuman
recklessness. know not who are buried
there-whether Hottentots or Indians
but | do know that tomb which holds
dustonce thrilled with immortality-should
be shielded from the temple of the high
wav
Through the kindness of some friends
obtained seat in a more agreeable vehicle
from \. to Danville. There are some beau
tiful landscapes along the plank road
though they are not charming enough to
make one forget the sunshine on such a
day as the 22nd was. | think Danville
worthy Of genuine praise. 1t has an ex-
traordinary supply of generosity, enterprise,
intelligence, beauty, ice cream and-to-
bacco. Of the last article-one of the Man
ufacturers told me, they put up about three
millions of pounds annually. The Female
College, under Rev. Mr.. Jameson, is meet
ing almost unparalleled success. The gen
tlemen on whom it depends are able and
determined to bear it on and up. | had
the pleasure Of attending their commence
ment; and surely it was pleasure.-
Though this was the second Commence
ment, it would have been creditabe fol
both pupils and instructors in any old in
stitution. On the afternoon of the oath
the town was enlivened by the parade oi
the Knight Templars, and a general turn.
out of the Masonic Fraternity. The pran
cling chargers grand and beautiful uni
form-waving plumes, and comely spear:
and swords of the Templars, made one cal
up in wild array the spectres of those chiv
arous bands who struggled and died fol
the Holy Sepulchre. The long columns O
the different degrees of Masonry follow
ing in the rear Of the Knights constituted
quite an attraction with their sashes an,
many pictured aprons. The scene wa
enough to prompt any one to wish for NOR
light OH the subject of Masonry.
Their celebration closed with an addres
by the resident Baptist Clergyman and
party at night. | attended the Commence
ment Party at the College. That wa
marked by all the advantages and pleas
ures common to similar occasions, and ha,
decidedly fewer disadvantages and evil
than many have seen. These parties ar
| delightful while they last, but alas, for 9Th
next morning." Every body doesn't d
as l did-go home in time to get Sleep
and hence "the next morning" the eyes al
dim or red or swoIen-the head hot an
aching-the mind stupid and prostrated-
the whole system depressed the hea
half sorry that there was a party. If tn
young folks will have these gala scene
| land they willy it would be better to hay
them by day.
| left DanvilIe on the morning of tn
25th, highly delighted with my visit.
Desiring to proceed farther West,
turned across the country-to reach til
Railroad. Here and there met with goo
and generous friends-who treated me be
ter than | deserved. They gave me kin
words-good company, pears, apples, che
ries (sour) and all the grateful blessings
dear, delightful country homes. On IL
29th | reached the Railroad and ran up
High Point There found the examin
ton going on, in Mr.. Langdon's school,
l could not stop long, but felt quite than
full, as passed, that the building designt
to feed the animal cravings Of the travelil
hosts-had been converted into ltera
fountain-where the mind may drink wit
out safety from the golden chalice of v
tue and truth. To all our female instit
tions l wish career of prosperity and us
, fulness, but | greatly fear that we are
tablishing too many to expect them to
> crowned with permanent success.
From High Point took the stage
, this place. You may remember my l
pleasant ride in one of tile Salem stag
;, : lastyea with sour-hearted, bitter-tongu
d old lady. Well, l thought that | shot
have another hard time had not go
= far when discovered that one of my t
II low passengers was strong hardshell b;
tist. He showed some disposition to tea
me the error of my way, but | did not
him quite so hard to check as some are
,, , l began to think that the Salem sta;
= were subject TO misfortunes-at least W
;s me-and that | could not recomme
re them. But after while | struck the ri
le cord in the old mans breast, found |
possessed of much that was liberal ;
manly, and when | left him, gave hir
Il Il A