, 1863-10-17
Pen Pictures of Nashville.

A letter writer to the New York Times
thus sketches some notable points in the
City Of Rocks "
Right opposite Mr.. Berry's on the east
side of the square, is the Southern Methodist
Publishing House This was once famous
institution, but looks forlorn and woebegone
enough now. The building is plain and un-
pretending, but with am pie capacity for car
rying on efficiently the varied operations of
the ''House," when in the full meridian of
its success. In that palmy day it had its
Quarterly Review, its House Circle and
Sunday School Visitor, and its Nashville
Christian Advocate, weekly religious pa
paper. It's corps of editors for the batch were
Rev Drs. McFerren, McPier, Somers and
Huston, all vehemently Secesh, and of
course all "evanishing amid the storm
which burst upon Nashville on the fall of
Donelson
In fact, the Methodist Church South out
herods Herod in the bitterness of its hatred
to the Union and its fierce zeal to prop up
the rebellion. The Publishing House, there
fore, its guiding and supporting mind de-
parted, stands as Swift, in his gloomy deca-
dence, stood-"a driveer and show" Its
long rows of books are there, many of the
volumes being choice and valuable; its eight
printing presses, one of them cylindrical,
half printed edition ofthe New Testament
on the forms the whole apparatus for press
ing, binding, ETC., remains just as the edi-
tors and workmen deserted them. A suit
Of lov To foc fbo Of
of the Advocate, involving, of course, that
of the establishment, is to be had before the
property will be distributed. The question
is interesting, as its decision must be i'm
portant. Meanwhile the tabOoed "House"
keeps open by day, wearing a sorrowful air
that seems to elicit the passer's sympathy.
The State-house is but four or five blocks
from the square. In leaving the latter by
Cedar street, which runs directly in front
of the Capitol you pass the plain brick res
idence of Mrs. John Bell, almost adjoining
the Capitol grounds. Mr. Bell left Nash
vile shortly before the Union troops occu-
pied it, taking up his abode in Rome, Ga,
living quietly there, hear on the best au-
thority, and not mixing in any of the rebel
complications. Recently tidings reached
his family of his serious illness, and daugh-
ter left here to visit her father under a flag
of truce. have heard nothing further from
him Mrs. Bell is lady of high intelligence
and of courteous, frank and agreeable man
ners. do not doubt her to be Union at
heart, and opposed strongly-as Mr.. Bell
always professed himself to be to the va
garies and villianies of secession.
Mrs. Polk's residence is on Vine street,
running west by South from the Capitol,
and almost as near it as Mrs. Bells. 1t is
a substantial, though not elegant brick house
of two stories, with pillars on two sides run
ming to the caves, and wide verandah, a
very common and pleasant feature of fhouses
here. 1t stands back from the street, with
a profusion oftasteful shrubbery in the fore
ground. The monument to Mr.. Polk, his
remains lying underneath it, is nearly mid
wav between the house and the street, to
the right of the main avenue as you enter
from the latter. There is little about the
monument to conflict with ones ideas OF
republican simplicity, except, perhaps, It's
inscription. This recounts, with great par
ticularity, all the offices, State and national,
that Mr.. Polk held, and all the measures
associated with his name. There may be
question about the good taste of this. Mrs
Polk, though understood to have secession
is, am told, the only citizen
suffered to remain quietly in her home with
out taking the oath of allegiance. The ex-
emption is the effect of her former relations,
and he must be morose Unionist indeed
who would quarrel with its propriety.