The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-05-16
The Fair Grounds.

OF the wants of our citizens in general,
there is one particularly desirable, and that
is place Of resort, convenient and health
full, to which they can escape from the heat
ed and confined air of our oven-like houses
in midsummer, there to breathe the pure
invigorating atmosphere of the country.
The physicians will sustain the assertion,
that most of the sickness and death amongst
our children, arises from the want of this
change of air, and the exercise necessarily
attending it; and yet, strange to say, there
is not place in the vicinity of our city, to
which we can ride or walk without being
dependent upon the kindness of our road
side country friends, for even a glass of wa
ter-not place to rest, where, in the shade
of so ne grove, the children may romp on
the nicely kept green, the balmy influence
Of which would chase from the cheek the
sickly city palor, giving place to that ro-
seate hue indicative of health, and beauty
and Joy.
True, there are our mineral springs and
mountain tops, but how few can spare their
time and their means for such distant and
expensive excursions. We want suburban
resort, an afternoons ride, easy and cheap
OF access, and just such an one the Virginia
Central Agricultural Society are engaged
IN preparing, and will have ready this fall.
They have purchased some IS acres of the
Hermitage tract, about one and half miles
from the centre of our city, including the
beautiful grove and several springs of the
purest water. These grounds are being
drained and graded, and as soon as the
plan Tor the necessary buildings, roadways,
paths, &C., is fixed upon. the whole will
De executed and opened for the public. The
X chmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
Railroad Comply, whose road ruus through
these grounds, have agreed to put down a
turn out, and to run their horse car to the
entrance daily, as they now run it to the
College, at the smallest cost; and during the
Fair week, locomotive train will be run
every half hour; thus making these grounds
In every respect preferable to the old Fair
Grounds, for, besides beingImore extensive,
they are beautifully undulating, shaded by
groves, abundantly supplied with water,
and will have a half mile trotting or exhi-
biting course, with all the necessary stalls
and buildings arranged in tasteful order;
ana the time OF going to and from will be
less, the cost less, and the mode of trans
portation Thy railroad at slow SPEEDY the
safest known. ING
II 10 proper to add, that these grounds
Will De under the immediate supervision of
carefully selected person, whose whole
time viii be given to the accomm odation IF
visitors, and who, with his family, win re-
side thereon the year round.
10 90 oil this, and properly, money must
&c rad and the executive committee have
snpioyed Messrs. Butler and Chamberlayne
~ soliciting and collecting agents for Rich
mono, who are now ON their rounds. and j,
fsrn w.. doubted bat that they will be received
asoIaoly. The reasons we have set forth
a ppsa1 strongly TO the community for M
Dr,z a.nanaso, liberal support Of lie enter.
be II viii pay handsomelv. not anav
nauugn the recreation ana piesanre sn.I
p'aes OF resort will afford q 10 =, f 1,,;c.
~, a.fsclly through the benefits o. tbe Fs;r
a.. ~ .s trade and business Of the civ NJ.
'A'as we people Of Richmond are besinuins