Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-07-08
For the Yorkville Enquirer.
A TRIP OUT-WEsT.

the patriot anu StateSWiH. D11h'
For the Yorkville Enquirer.
ATR1p OUT-WEsT.
SHELBY, N. G., July 3, 1858.
Nashville is called the "City of Rocks" and
sure there is reason for the name. 1t is situated
on the Southern bank of the Cumberland river
on q bluff-a stone ridge-or series of such rid.
ges; the soil being nowhere very deep, so that
there is occasion for liberal water privileges in
order to keep down the dust. But while I was
| Whereabouts. although Wa had several heavy rains
and a few damp rainy days, yet there could
scarcely b" discovered any appreciable mitigation
of the dusty inconvenience for more than q day
Mt n time.
Nashville, in many respects, has the appearance
of nm old city. The size and shape of many Of
the brick buildings, and the nnrrowness and irreg
ularity of the streets, are well calculated to make
such nm impression. 1t has been q place Of some
note for more than fifty years; hut the chief rea
son OF its antiquated appearance, as to houses and
streets, may be found in the fact that its founders
probably did dot expect it ever to become so great
n city, and consequently built houses and opened
streets just as urgent wants at the time might de-
mand. But do not think that Nashville is q worn.
out, exhausted place. Far from it. It is full Of
fresh and vigorous life, though not a centre of
commerce yet there is q great deal of trade
which I need not occupy space in describing-for
it is the social and political centre of one Of the
finest agricultural regions in our whole country
the Valley Of the Cumberland-o:lled by some,
and with reason. the garden spot Of the South.
There is considerable appearance Of wealth anil
| fashion in equipage and building in the city and
the surrounding country but you see there what
we not unfrequently see in our " country. On
the most elevated point stands the State Capitol
built of granite, and ornamented within, 18th
various sorts of marble from East Tennessee. It
is by far the largest and most magnificent struc
ture I ever saw. Having no acquaintance with
the nomenclature of architecture. 1 cannot under
take its description. You can see it on every side
from every quarter it is v~i1ible-solid, grand
and imposing. Then down on the public square
hard by the market-in the vicinity of some of the
finest fve.story wholesale buildings I ever saw,
there is near completion, a Court House for coun-
ty and municipal purposes-a large. square,, I'M
slightly pile. which, in its arrangements within
and without, will not add anything, in my iudg-
ment, to the appearance of the centre Of the city,
nor to the credit of those whose tastes and means
are alike involved in its erection. Such, howev-
err, will be the case for a long while in a new coun-
try like ours. Our taste as q people, has hardly
began to grow-we are hard at work gathering
material wealth. By and by, when the condition
of individual wealth and public prosperity become
more fixed and permanent, we may look for agri'
cultural and architectural developments worthy of
the great country God has given US to improve, en-
joy and adorn.
There is only one rail road as yet completed to
the city-the Chattanooga. There is a branch out
to Franklin, I believe. 40 or so miles. Others are
projected and in progress, but then there are fine
turnpike roads-"pikes" as they call them-run.
ming q in almost every direction, which no doubt IA
cilila,e the provision and stock trade a greatd deal,
and enable the people to visit the city with greater
ease, expedition and comfort, save hedust, which
on the occasion of several rides into the country,
we found unwelcome in the extreme. And now as
to those visits.
Early in the session, the South Carolina Dele
cation resolved on q visit to the Hermitage, where
JACKSON lived, died, and is buried. 1t is q fine
old homestead, situated on the Southern bank Of
the Cumberland, about II miles North East OF
Nashville. We invited, for the sake of variety
and good cheer, o couple of .ladies-one little boy,
JopIE SToNEs-and four outside delegates. One
from Virginia, one from Tennessee, one from Mis-.
souri,, and another from Louisiana-and took a.
long with US a fine specimen Of the prrutiar inshH
ton in the person of ADoLpHUs, from Georgetown.
who genrally attends Annual Conferences with
Rev. C. Belts, and rs his body servant, was also
in attendance at the General Conference. Thus,
Is 10 all, in four handsome and comfortable
coaches, with q liberal basket of lunch-(and to
tell the whole t.uth n nice little box OF ,e3ars,
though / don't touch such things) we started at one
o'clock, on the 9th mot of Jan. but) Of May, and
ratified away for the Hermitage, to many, the
Mecca of the South as I hope Mount Vernon
will ever be to all American lovers of their coun-
try. A two hours drive brought US all safe to a
fine old country seat, away from the public road
about a quarter of a mile in toward the river
You enter from O lane or cross road an iron gate,
stone posts I think-and then up o grdusHed
cedar auenue-(it should have been hickory and
halted at the front of o venerable old mansion now
occupied by the family of Mr.. JACKSON, an adopt
ell son, or nephew Of the old Hero. JOHN, the old
Generals body servant, as he told US, during both
Presidential terms, was soon forthcoming. DR..
WIaHrMAN as our chief, sent in a card, and we
soon had the liberty of halls and p~arlors, garden
and grounds, and plenty Of fresh rater. We all
sat down in On antique chair, said to have been
WAsH1YaToN's and gwen to Gen. JACKSON by MIR.
Cusr1s-may be. 1t evidently appertained to a.
mother generation; nevertheless, with feelings of
reverence as we'll as of curiosity, We looked upon
it, SGT in it for O moment, having the honor of SO
doing without being in any wise rested. Paint
ings on the walls, quaint and tasteful gifts on the
sbelves and tables there were, but l am no con-
n%oisseur, and, therefore, will not attempt a des-
~cription, especially as l made no notes at the time.
The General and his Wife lie buried underline same
plain tomb at the North East corner of the garden,
between the dwelling and the public road; 'lfe's