Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1860-01-16
Letter from Norfolk.

Letter from Norfolk.
DING THAT TOOK PLACE rHERE-REv. II. a.
WISE, JG., oFFICIATEs FOR THE FIRST TIMB.
LExtract from letter in tho Cincinnati Commercial
= Norfolk contains not co, 900
inhabitants, as the aforesaid had suppo-
scd, but 100000. The public hacks have
ebony drivers. and were probably erccic
about the time OF the Revolutionary War,
and the horses, most likely, served in the
last war, and have been kept on fasting
and prayers since that period III Amer
lean history. The streets were origi-
nnllv intended to be crooked and they
are crooked. Chain lightning may have
ran through the city at some remote pc
riod, marking out the channels where hu-
lanity might Row, il in fluid state. The
people are constiiutiOnally opposed to all
such things as work and quick motion.
Norfolk is one of the oldest cities in the
U:itcd Stntcs-has the finest oysters in
the world--the hardest yellow fever north
of Acapulco-thc best harhor south of
Mason AND Dixon's line; and the lack of
trade is all that prevents an immense COM
mcrcc. But 'Norfolk isn't any place, and
will not bc until they get the Ohio river
via. the Allegheny and the Canal are are
going to Luild into Norfolk for no man
who amounts to as much rs two rows Of
pins would stay here if they would donate
him two such towns, previously to the
turning of the river.
Portsmouth, on the opposite side of
Elizabeth river. has 1000 inhabitants
One of the principal United States Navy
yards is located there. These are not II
val cities. The people are not i'll favor Of
rivalry; ii intcrtcrcs with their peace and
Cuict The inhabitants have great ideas
OF nristocracy. 1t is a failing that Nir-
ginians have. Intcrmarriugc has been go
ing on so long. that all have got to he f.
+. VS. and for aUght ! know, all may be
slightly tinctured with the blood of a ccr-
tain greasy old squaw, known rs Poca-
hontas.
The wedding company arrived ut the
church. marched in Indian file aud divided
oif-ladics on the right, gentlemen on the
left: and stationed themselves in rows
fronting the altar. The aforesaid was the
seventeenth attendant. The church WAS
crowded, and some one must have been in
his place for he was not there, but fDck n
place with the bride. The minister. Rev.
Henry y. Wise. Jr., had never married,
and was red as roostcrs gills. The
bride was III travelling costume, and her
attendants in white silk robes. The min
lister mistook the bride for somebody else
asked for the ring-bridcgroom had 1t
in his breccheS pocket which were SO
Gght he couldn't get his hand in-had to
unbutton-scnsatiou. Bridegroom gave
the ring to bridesmaid, she gave ii to
hridcsman, he gave it to the minister
minister didn't know what to do with it,
aud finally gave it back to bridegroom.
The aforesaid wanted it, but did not get
it, for the bride took the ring and put it
on her finger. Rev. Wise now became
more WISE for he discovered which were
the nuptials. He began, much cmhar-
rasscd, to read the ceremony, and the
Bridegroom bowed assent at every comma.
The aforesaid wanted to know if he was
going to read that book through before he
married cm-ministcr lost his place
going to .'cave'-thc aforesaid thought he
was tired ont, and had better sit down and
rest All married, and ready to leave the
church at last, but aforesaid could not tell
which hack we came in. Tried to get in
with the bride, but the bridegroom would
not let him. The aforesaid NJ. u. went
back to the brides residence on foot-took
cake and winc-kSScd all rOund-thcn
proceeded with the wedding party on
board the Baltimore steam packet, which
went over to Portsmouth AT four Oclock,
and remained until six in the evening, for
the cars TO come i'll.
The bridal party remained on the steam
cr up to the time of its departure from
Portsmouth. Some one accused the atorc-
aaid Of being poet, whcreupon the COM
pany called upon him for u sample OF his
productions, and the following lines were
read