Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-09-21
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE STANDARD
OCEAN HOUSE, Portsmouth, Va,
Septeu her 13 1S59

0SP'Sh-oSI IL, lOcO.
MEssRs EDrroRs: The season for "gadding DER
the world" is now about over, and II am on my
journey home," to enjoy the sweets of my "own
cine and fig tree" but before turning my back for
good and all upon old ocean, tarry few days
at the house from whence my letter is dated to take
on regular stutfng of the fine oysters and other
salt water uegetables for which cousin Robert, the
proprietor, is noted for setting before his COM
pany, and when I'm "chug full" I'll bid farewell
to everybody, and report myself in the City of Oaks
ready for duty if not .ft
The Superior Court for Norfolk County is in ses-
sion in this City, and much interest seems apparent
among its denzens. Two of the crack lawyers of
the old Commonwealth are in attendance on the
Court viz: Chandler of Norfolk, and August, of
the City of Richmond. The latter gentleman was
engaged on behalf of the State in the case of Grant
for arson. His (As) effort is considered mastery
in the extreme; so much so as to force applause
Fl ON the most sensorous. friend was expressing
his admiration Of it. when .arris opened his mouth,
and thus spake: "Oh, he's (August) mere preten-
der" What! do you call Col. A. pretender!-
"Why, yes" replied Jarcis at the same time drag
ging his coat cuff his mouth to rid his lips of
tobacco juice he says he's August, but he came
in September" The sell was acknowledged, and
what followed this deponent sayeth not without
running the risk of being held to before Con-
cord No. l. S. of T., for violation of one of its
guilty, and sentenced to ten years in the pcntentary
| Portsmouth, for the last two years. has improved
rapidly. Its streets nearly all paved and splen
did buildings have gone up in various parts of the
City, and may be seen going up whthersoever the
eyes may turn; which induces me to believe that
Norftlk, on the other side Of the river, has good
cause to be little jealous. The fact must not be
denied that in point of location, Portsmouth has the
advantage; and | reckon Norfolk will not thank me
for reminding her of this universally admitted fact
Well, perhaps should not have been guilty of this
indiscrcon, if my attention had not been called to
the go-by given this City by the Norfolk and Peters
| burg Road at an expense of about half million.
'Tis pity that sisters cannot live 6rotherly!
visit to the Navy Yard assured me that that
national institution is in full tide of successful ope-
ration. New shops are being erected, and Uncle
Sam seems to be sensible of the importance and
availability of this location. But, still, there is ample
! room for much more to he DONE With all the
! wealth Of water in this harbor there ought to be
stone docks built capable of receiving twenty first
! class ships, where, behind line of defences they
could lay in safety, in time of war, and undergo
needful repairs. The English are jealous of u.s. with
all of their pretended friendship There is some
thing said in history about big tea drinking in
Boston harbor; and don't you reckon that flashes
across the mind of ~ Intelligent tourist whenever
he visits our navy ya and beholds our facilities for
| repairing one ship at the tine The immense docks
of Englands seaports cost years of labor and mil.
lions OF treasure; we cannot expect to equal them
for an hundred Years to come, unless the work be
commenced This is a hint which Drop for the
ears of my dear old Uncle
Tell your readers that the Chesapeake and Abe
marie Canal is no humbug The first steamer from
the lower counties of North Carolina, via this Canal
arrived here this evening with passengers. The peo
pie of the twin sisters anticipate heavy trade from
this source. So mote it be.
| cannot close 'theSe few remarks" without frs
| telling you of new material for building called the
Foster bloch. 1t is artificial granite exquisitely
beautiful, "everlastingly durable" and figure
cheaper than brick. have seen two houses in this
place being built of these blocks-ther appear ance
is neat gentleman who has used these blocks
says of them:
" In regard to durability the common clay brick
can bear but very poor comparison with the Foster
block if rightly made. And indeed this block woulo
seem to be susceptible of being so made, as to be
in this respect without rival in any other known
building material; for atmospheric exposure. which
corrodcs and decomposes even the most solid marble
and granite exertS directly opposite effect this
as seen in the old mortars of Egypt Greece ant
Rome And indeed no reason can be assigned why
blocks rightly manufactured from good material
and rightly put up in building should not form
themselves into single block Of stone, like tn
Pyramids pillars and other structures Of monument
al antiquity.
Now, if these things be So land it is impossible
for me after the researches have made, and as
present enlightened to doubt their essential correct
ness, then the use of the Foster Block would Civ
Us building every way superior to one erected o
common brick"
I have thus minutely noticed this new discovery
solely for the benefit of our citizens, whose yer,
! humble servant am GAKTNT