Newbern weekly progress., 1860-01-10
Onslow Co., n G., Dee. %, 1859.
SALISBURY, n. c., Dec. 3lst, 1859.

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| SALISBURY, N. c., Dec. 3lst, 1859.
| Dear Progress 1t may be objected by some
regarding letters that they reflect too faith
fully the passions and treudices of the writers to
admit of their being received AS authentic; that
they often registers of the lie of the day
and worthy of consideration only as a species of
romance. But it is in this very distinctive charac-
teristic that the superior utility of stch compost
tons consist viz that they reflections of the
! passing hour;-that they are fac simaes of the
places of which they speak. 1t is true writer
may exhibit individual facts in false colors; may
detail anecdotes that defective, embroidered,
or wholly untrue, but the entire letter will rarely
fail to exhibit faithful transcript of the writer's
knowledge and views of men and things in his
or her neighborhood. 1t is the duty of every
news letter writer to confine himself strictly to the
| truth in matters of serious import and to make
reflection calculated to elevate his species, by
pruning and trimming human weaknesses, ra h.
er than pandering TO them. Particularly despca-
| Bile and ruinous is it for mind to turn toad eater
! to mere matter. No news letter writer. however
humble his talents. or pure his motives, if he pos
sess any force of character whatever, can avoid
offending the pre- udces wounding the selfloye
of some occasionally. l do not pretend to be very
immaculate, but on the principle of - don't do
I do, but do as [ bid you, have tried to do good
and avoid giving offence to the utmost of my
ability but my other duties precludes the posi-
! blity of my being regular and efficient
respondent for the Progress as this point re-
quires. and although 1 intend to appear in your
| columns in my hitherto erratic manner, l am hap
| py tC state that / have been able to prevail
valued young friend of mine to send you his OBJ
servations and reflections men and things in
| Salisbury also / cannot say what will be his ''nOm
de guerre but I" hats in a name" &c. will in
tyoduce him to you / have found him: He is
one of those few persons whom yOu may challenge
to a convval evening. with mathematical GER
tainty of enjoying it-which is the rarest quality
of Friendship. He is jealous prompt and consoling
in all seasons of trial. has good sense for every
little difficulty and happy humor for every So
cia moment. Blest with good though seldom
bofsterous spirits endowed with the rare faculty,
not only of diyiuing ones wishes, but of instantly
making them his own; sEilltu in sweetening
| rood counsel with honest flattery; able to bear
with enthusiasm in which he might not partici
pate and to avoid smiling at follies he could not
help discerning ever read TO indulge the secret
wish of friend g for another BOTTLE" with heart
enough TO drink it with him and head enough to
take care of him when it is gone, Onto his friends
head. In a word he is the peasantest of ad-
yisers, the most genial of listeners, and the most
agreeable of lively companions. He will be
valuable acquisition to our diran, will he not7
TIE usual amount of explosives distracted the
ears of the staid and demure during Christmas
times, and although nothing serious resulted
therefrom, yet the life of mutual friend of ours
was placed in great jeopardy by the accidental
explosion of large canister OF powder In his
hand His venerable sire AYERS that his eyes
never beheld, and chad they not) he could not
have believed the unframed human frame capa
BILE of such extraordinary powers ofjumping as
were displayed by his on this occasion.
The Rowan Rifle Guards had a target excur-
sion day before Christmas. Their gallant Cap
tain being 'dead shot - was ruled out. 1t was
the first trial of their (minnie) rifles conse-
Private Bell made the three best shots, which
took the first prize silver goblet and salver.
Private Brooks made the three second best shots,
which took the second prize, gold medal. En-
sign NJ. Tofin made the best single shot. After
this trial of skill their public spirited Captain
(Col, Fl. l.. RobarlS) invited the whole company
to a sumptuous Christmas dinner, at which flow
cd an abundance of generous wines, and over
which presided the very spilit of Joyous hilarity.
We had 10 gas on the night [Sunday) following |
Some ioculary attributed the thereof to this
vcrs festive dinner. One of the Guards being an
important operator at the gas works.
That unique building, the second house below |
the Banner Office has lately been opened as a
Drinking Saloon and Restaurant, with spacious |
Billiard and Bagatee Saloon upstairs. The es !
tablishnent in point of fsplendor and tone will COM
pare favoraby with the very best SUI generis in |
large cities. 1t is under the superintendent of
Mr.. w J. Mills-a gentleman whose we'll known |
taste judgement and nice sense of honor, will be |
sufficient guarantee for everything in the relish |
and liquor line being really what it pretenls to be-
great desideratum in most similar establish |
ments everywhere nova days
A Fair was held by the Sgournian Society 4
week ago in the ladies' seminary; music |
discoursed by the band on the occasion it was !
really charming affair, and was well attended, |
and it admirably managed by Mr.. and Mrs. |
Wilkinson ably assisted by J. NJ. Newson and |
Miss G. Grasswitz. The hall of the academy was |
large enough for comfort, and not too large nor
too cold for sociaity, which was gratifyingly ge-
nial. The articles of ucrtu, and the decorations |
were exquisitely tasteful; the supper was epicu |
rean the 8. sells - varied, profitable and amusing.
One 'ssell was not good, as scarcely any one |
saw the point - it behind curtain, on |
which inscribed "what all men abhor;' on |
payment of Il dime. the 'curous in heiresses,'
&C. were allowed to enter and feast their eyes on
the 'hated thing" which proved to be q g blue
stocking' (Stufed y Now this would have been |
very good SELL had it been generally known
what blue stocking' meantin literary slang" !
as it was, the g sold parties judged it literally
which evolved many absurd and ludicrous re- !
marks The g sell - in the same 8 side show on
the night of the auction (three nights after) was
very good the placard outside the curtain quer-
led 'have you seen the monkey ~ Oh paying a
dime and going in, the " sold one y saw mirror
b. fore him.
The Brass Band gave Promenade Concert in
Murphy's Hall, on last Tuesday night The at
tendance was large and of very fine class. The
Band was in very fine order and ELECTED contin
Carvatina from Robert le Dable ~ and :" the
Coronation March " from the - Prophet were
especially delectable Many strangers pres
ent, who afterwards expressed themselves at a
loss, which most to admire. the evident high tone
of the audience, the musical excellence of the
Band
This is the last day of the month of the week,
and of the year; heavy snow is falling, and As
it enshrouding the past year with all its
blemishes and short eonsings in obi qious, but
pure and spotless winding sheet l have seen
" our reporter enjoyed an agreeable confab