Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-08-22

SKETCHES OF SUMNER TRAvEL-

CROWDED WITH PoLITIcIANs-THR ,VtLLAeK:
ITS LOCATION AND SURROUNDINGS THE Usi-
vERsIIY OF VIRGINIA, AS SEEN IN THE MIDDLE
or THE LONG (suMMBR) VACATION. -
considerable portion Of the passengers Of both
t-ains-for Central Railroads train from Rich
mend journeyed few hundred PAGES ahead Of us
from Gordonsville this forenoon-left the cars as
did, at the lower Charlottesville depot to attend
the Democratic State Convention. In all there
are perhaps thousand strangers now here, most
Of them sojourning at one or the other of the two
comfortable hotels Of the village, which, however
are by no means adequate to the proper accom-
mediation of their guests of the occasion. These
strangers embrace, with very uncomfortable ex-
ceptions, all the well known real leaders of the
Democratic party from nearly every county Of the
Old Dominion. True, miss few faces familiar
on like occasions; though, in the MAN, these lat
ter are the well-known GO mugs" q the Messieurs
Malapfopos OF the party. OF gentlemen always
AMBITIOUS Of candidates., and as invariably dis
appointed In their aspirations for popular favor
l also miss the physiognomies Of few dozen
gentlemen who, having been active Wings, be-
came flaming Know Nothings when 1t was
thought that Know nottingham was about to rule
the roost In Virginia, and intense Democrats
shortly after Henry A. Wise's election made II
plain that the road to political preferment In vir.
ginia was likely to continue to be through con.
nection with her Democratic party. All these
gentlemen are assembled at Stsunton TODAY, I
hear together with not few other lesser lights of
Ike political history and fortune.
Messrs. Hunter and Mason, of tine United States
Senate, are here, and Mr.. Wise is at home sick.
The COURTEOUS square, which the princi pal hotel
faces. is lively with groupes of virginia's Demo.
cratic leaders, discussing the chances of the cleo.
ton Of their choice-Breckinridge and Lane A
my algebra Is none the brightest now, hay. con.
fessed to nifty my inability to bring that problem
out 70 result satisfactory to myself; SO can but
anuse myself with listening to the shrewd Gale ula
lions OF those here, there, and everywhere around
me, who being better Tor at least more conndeut)
cyphertrs than myself, have already reduced IL Ia
the politicians not unusual dead certainty fbefore
eiection) OF actual black and white, on psper
Yet must confess that though ! can perceive no
lack OF the fire to win the victory in Virginia In
the members of this Convention-and see nothing
that can possibly prevent the Breckenridge and
Lane ticket from carrying the Old Doninion-the
snrewdest and best informed around me are an
10th to undertake the task Of figuring our candi
dates into the Presidency and Vice Presidency
Just now, as am.
But let US leave the crowd Of noI,t,cj,n. 20 -
instant.
M
proVement in Its new streets Is in progress we,rs
the air Of a finished city-tnished when the stvle
OF village building was somewhat more substan.
tai IMAM before the era of the universal use NJ
paiat and putty and unseasoned inch plank for tn.
most part Thus, though not growing, it 10 yery
substantially built and is really thrifty THRIVING
place OF some 900 Inhabitants, with probable
hardly single pauper among them all. The vii.
or town OF Charlottesville consists pri palv
OF three parallel streets, perhaps mile long. with
other short streets at right angles to those. and
various handsome private residences, surrounded
by spacious and highly ornamented grounds with
uees) on the outskirts. These latter relieve the
appearance OF the town greatly from the mon otonv
VI us Otherwise very old-fashoued and unpretend-
'"s ar. Inc farm mansions In the neighborinp
'sey' 100 serve to add to the picturesque scenery
Oh the vicinity of Charlottesville as seen in all d
rections from any of its outer streets Nearly ever,
neighboring such building stands on gently
swelling hillock, in the midst of beautiful grove
ana tells at glance that 1t is inhabited bv per
IONS OF dignity, Of individual character and re-
nhed taste, as well as means withal to cultivate
and crafty that taste nationally.
The far-famed University Of Virginia lies upop
nndulating ground about mile and half above
Charlottesville, In the same valley of the Rivanna
river. Jefferson selected Its site and a love,i.,
one Tor picturesque effect 10 not to be found I'm all
the STATE OF Virginia. On two sides, very.near-
mountain-spurs form rather abrupt background.
ne multitude OF brick buildings connected with
the institution, from the magnificent main col.
legiate edifce surnounted with a mammoth tin
covered eupola, now sparkling like huge dia-
mond in the light Of TO- days burning sun. are all
familiar to the whole country which. Il will no
remembered, teens with engrayings Of them
shall net essay to describe them here tb-r.f,,.
further than to remind the reader that each one
of them was planned and located directly nm .,
the consulting eye and taste Of Thomas Jefferson
in MS day the most accomplished architect I'm the
iaho, without being practical builder His re-
nhed taste Is evident In the tent ensemble of all of
them, from the main collegiate edifice down Tn
the humbest porter's lodge or professors carriage
house. All are yellow-washed, and 10 shaded
with foliage as each to add as charmingly to the
effectiveness Of the appearance Of the whole range
(of ouildings) as a house designed for such a pur
pose as that for which 1t is intended, can add.
rms Is the middle Of the annual long (summer
vacation; SO the University's avenues look de-
serted 10 day regret much that | saw il for the
nfst ume with vacant walks and groves, rather
'nah with fair portion Of the Institutions seven
OF elght hundred students, hundred professors,
teachers, oficials, and servants, and OF the fami.
=, ing !" 'nc premises, present 70 give
the scene the air Of life 1t Is wont to wear. Re-
tween Charlottesville and the University are
located the outside boarding hotels, usually pat
ronized by perhaps half the students the rest
rooming within its sacred precincts These hotels
are very plain buildings, answering, however,
well Tor the purposes designed Their appear.
ahce is, OF course, exceedingly somber TODAY.
because so nearly deserted as they are TO con.
unne until the beginning Of the next session.
.-. w. ID. WI
OFFICERS ORDERED TO THE PowH.r.x-Th.
following officers have been ordered to the Il,
steam higate Powhatan, recently returned from
me East Indies Captain, Samuel Mercer; Lien.
tenants, John Rutledge, z. Thompson, s c.
harris w w. Queen, George Brown, Philip
foreher Surgeon, Jos. Wilson, jr Passed Az. |
sls'ant surgeon, James Laws; Purser, George w
Clark; ID Lieut.. Marines, w. w. b. Kirkland