The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-08-22

magnify MIN lnto -
Governrnent is its own best arbiter, and
fhe possible impolicy, If not imperti-
nence. of criticising its action and es-
1 pecialiy towards JEFF. Davis, the head
and front of traitorous offending to-
wards itself, this further fact is evident
| that, take whatever course the Govern
ment might, all would not be suited. Go
| toeither extreme, or persue any golden
mean, and there would be grumblers.
After all, the prevailing sentiment is
that he should be made OF the least
consequence possible, and everything be
avoided calculated to keep his name in
public memory, and, least of all, engen-
der undue sympathy in his behalf.
WHAT JEFF. SAYS HIMSELF.
Davis has taken very frequent occa-
sion TO express fully and frankly his
own views of his conduct as leader in the
late gigantic rebellion against the Gov
eminent. A favorite topic Is the alleged
prosecutions to which the South has so
long been subjected at the hands of the
| North. In these moods of talking and
argument he confesses no wrong on his
part or that of the States seeding from
the Government. His language, in fact,
| at times shows him to be as arrant
( traitor and hater of our Government as
when he swayed the sceptre OF the
| Southern Confederacy. But the tone OF
his conversations differs. Like all false
men, however guarded they may be, his
memory sometimes fails him and leads
to direct contradictory statements and
views to those previously uttered. More
than once he has betrayed himself into
eulogy of our Government, and its found
ers and policy. Speaking of our strength
as united people, his eyes, too,sparkled
with animation as his words warmed III
| description of our vast resources, and
the impotence of England and France
united to bring us down from our proud
position as the first nation on the globe,
and here the confession would spring
! from his lips of the folly and wickedness
of trying to break up such government.
HIS PRISON HABITS AND DIET
Very Interchange has taken place in
respect either to the prison habits ordiet
of Davis. His casemate allows but
little latitude of locomOtion, and so his
present situation and surroundings adj
NIT the introduction Of very little varie-
| ty. His fertility of mental resources is
very good thing to have in prison, as
cow and chickens and good well of
water and pump, according to Spar
rowgrass, are good things to have in the
| country. He may fall back on these
mental resources, but, besides being mo-
notonous work, the result cannot beper-
manently cons0latory and satisfactory.
He still takes his morning bath, and his
hours for rising, taking his meats, and
going to bed remain the same. He is
much more cheerful than formerly a
change to be ascribed to his daily out
door walks and improved change in
health. He smokes more frequently,
and is much more agreeable in his man.
nevs, and talks with increased freedom
and vivacity. To some officers of the
guard he takes a fancy, and is very po-
lite and communicative, while he will
not say a word to others. His meals
are of excellent quality, and he highly
appreciates the kindness shown him in
this regard.
| HIS DAILY WALKS AND HEALTH
An hour each day is spent in his daily
walks in the fortress and on the ram
parts. At first these walks were at a
stated hour, between five and six P. NJ;
but it was found as soon as this fact be-
came known, that crowd of idle spec
tators were on the qui odve to get a
KlllupSG Vi IlliA. lHSSS spcCtdlolS were
both inside and outside the fortress, as
from his walking on the parapet he can
easily be seen on either side. To put a
stop to this, General Miles had his hours
of walking changed, so that no one
knows now when to look for him and
when he will make his appearance.
His health most rapidly improved from
the commencement of this outdoor ex-
ercise. He says himself that he is in
much better health than he has been for
1 years. Never strong man, he was
nearly broken down at the time of his
capture, The immense responsibilities
and labors devolving on him as Presi-
dent of the Confederacy were terribly
trying and wearing ON his feeble consti-
tuition. The wonder to him is that he
lived through it. On arriving here, and
fully comprehending the fate before
him, he confesses to have derived some
consolation from the fact that he would
not live month. With all his labors,
he had been in the habit of taking out
door exercise each day; and deprived of
this altogether as he was in the outset
of his imprisonment and expected to be
during its continuance, he felt positive
he would not long survive it. But the
fates have willed it otherwise. Freedom
from care, his present daily walks,
wholesome food, and the sea air have re-
cuperated his energies and given him a
new lease of life.
HIS DRESS BEARING AND TALK.
JEFF. wears the same rebel gray suit
and light felt hat. He has had no OPP
portunity of cultivating the acquaint-
ance of tailors. But the rebel gray is of
the first quality Of fineness, and so is
the hat. The coat has black velvet
collar. He always has worn gloves
when coming outdoors. LatterIy he
has made his appearance in a white
vest, and has done away with his Cog
giles. His boots are finely polished, and,
with his clean wristbands and spotless
linen bosom and collar, there is nothing
in his appearance belying the genuine
gentleman. If one did not know the
restraints placed on his sartorial tastes
and realize his situation, the first i'm
preston at seeing him would lead one to
set him down as rather feeble repre-
sentative of faded smartness and shoddy
gentility. He walks very erect and
with proud and dignified step. Never
less than one officer, and always four
soldiers, attend him. He sits down
when he pleases, and, in his free moods,
talks away with warmth and anima-
ton most agreeably entertaining and