Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-04-22
HAMPTON CORRESPONDENCE.
he Editors II III Enquirer:

IL tie Editoys ofMe Enquirer:
HAMPTON. Va. Goth April, 1859.
Observation-Disclosures As YOU have been
for sometime past, IL you are now, and
as YOU must he for several weeks to
come, within the artificial city'S walls, in
almost inecsSant and cxhausting o~Xertion for
the country's good, even n glimpse at the rural
beauties Of Spring would, | am sure, refresh
your aching editorial heads most gratefully.
Richmond, it is true. is an agreeable, interest
ing and attractive town: indeed, considering
its imposing situation on those seven hills"
its angry waters. foaming with rage at their
unappropriatcd waste. when the "rivcr is
rising" its graceful bridges spanning that
same mighty and MUDDY JAMES; its elegant
residences with gcraniutns and roses in the
windows, beautiful lawns, and now and then a
sparkling jet-T-t"" sportively throwing of
showers Of cool, crystal drops in the
smiling sunshine like 4 laughing child
in miSchievous glee: when all these
and a thousand other poetical appurtenances
Of the great Metropolis are taken into considera-
ton, Richmond, | say, may not only be called
a pretty town, but perhaps it might be dcnomi-
mated even u picturesque place. Nevertheless
Mcssrs. Editors, bricks and mortar, painting
mules and numbering Wagons, coal carts and
dry goods boxes must be acknowledged, ut
this season, to be the most striking features
of the opulcnt, prosperous and attractive
capital of the Old Dominion. Here, in
1.-THE country" it is different, very differ.
ent. say "in the country but mark
YOU, | 10 not mean to i~nsinuatc that this
nIaInptonJ is not a town. No, Sirs. In the first
place. such an intimation would be a gross and
g%ricvous ~indignity to the place, and to the pco.
pie. Secondly. it would have no foundation in
fact, for, as you know, and rs all the world knows,
this is a town, famous in history for the valor
Of its men and in tradition for the beauty Of its
women. In the third place. to intimate that
this is not a town, would suggest to juvenile
students of Walkers dictionary and Mitchclls
geography, either that their books are wrong
in defining and locating 4 town, or that your
correspondent actually does not know what a
town is when he sees il. Therefore. McsSrS.
Editors, when ] say here in the country"
YOU must understand me as signifying out of
and away from the city"-near enough to the
wild woods" to inhalc the delicious fragrance
of their flowers and blossoms; to feast the eye
on the varied and varying hucs Of their count
less trees; to hear them mourn with the deep
and impressive cadence of a coming storm, or
rustic like an aSScmblage Of stately dame at
tired in silk as their tall tops are slowly sway
ed by the swelling tempest, or gently swept by
the light summer breeze. Here 'in the coun-
try." too. are bright, beautiful green fields Of
wheat in view on the one hand, and the most
magnificent waste of water the world can boast
on the othcr-the one suggestive of Hour mills
and -four barrels, rolls, biscuits and big loaveS;
the other translating us, in imagination, to In
dia. as we look out upon that large, heavy,
| wcathcr-bcatcn and rusty-sidcd ship just
/ rouading to in the Roads; to the Mediterranean,
the Coast Of Africa, or 1.-THE Gulf" as we
sce that graceful frigatc with snowy sails and
rlistening guns, gayly passing Old Point; or to
n fishing frolick on some neighboring ground,
nc VIC watch the graceful movement Of yonder
! dashinc, splashing reckless little yacht, of
thirteen tons, as she pounds away over the
pillows like n deer through n prairie. Look
Won. then, McsSrs. Editors, on that picture and
on this, and I know YOU will all sigh to see
the country; and one Of you, ut least, w~istfllly
turn his thoughts, for i moment. from that
indomitablc embodiment of faith and fortitude,
called Goggin, to the
Land Of the pine and she myrtle"
Something else-and The turtle.
Well, gentlemen, as you ca''i'oe eoi'c iheo
the country; as duty to yourselves, to your
marty. and to the whole American people,
commands your presence in big Richmond"
I have graphically portrayed for your especial.
IL benefit and with the pencil, (pen ! mean
Of a true artist you must admit some Of the
beauties and attractions of this pretty little
town and its surroundings.
will now proceed to edity you with a brief
reference to politics in and about town. I'M
urimis. Our Democrats are all earnest and ar
dent in their advocacy of the election Of ''hon-
est john" Some Of US were warmly opposed
to his nomination, because we thought it would
be bad in policy, bad as a precedent But
when he ras nominated, to use a classic phrase,
we quietly cared in. Wehave nerer doubted his
soundness, his ability, or his high, manly, and
ingenious character. But that Ruffner pamph'
let we knew would be thrown at us, and hence