The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-08-14

and dilapidated brick houses, in most @
which singing schools, camp meetings
prayer meetings, champagne suppers
, and fancy dress balls, are given ever,
night, except Saturday night, whel
the monotony is varied by fancy dres
balls, prayer meetings, camp meetings
and other religious observances too nu
merous to mention. IT is magnificen
place, and if the pedestrian can manage
: to wade through the throngs of ugly
half-clad and filthy negro children, ant
otherrubbish, in the dark, without break
ing his neck, he will be most fortunate
Now it was from the appearance of thi:
magnificent street, thatthe writerformst
bis idea of Norfolk, as well as from the
other filthy streets, lanes and docks il
the same neighborhood. Had he gone 6
little further up town, to Main street fol
instance, he would have got beyond the
limits of the "aristocratic" quarter, and
would there have reached the beautiful
abodes of the democracy; and thus he
might havefound something worth writ
ing about and avoided giving the city
such lampooning.
We challenge any city in the universe
to produce more pleasant, we'll built,
agreeable, or cleaner street than Main.
Pennsylvania avenue does not compare
with it i'll any of these qualities. And
then there is Church street, which is our
second business thoroughfare, and Sew
enth street, in Washington would COM
pare favorably with it, We're that street
in as good condition. All our streets
those running parallel with, as well as
those perpendicular to the river--are
built up with residences, which, though
ancient, are beautiful, picturesque, and
the abodes of wealth and refinement.
They are lined with huge trees, planted
more than two hundred years ago, where
the thick foliage every where screens
the passerby from the burning rays of
the sun; while the rich parterres, filled
with the rarest, most fragrant, and
many colored flowers lend a beau
ty and grandeur, and charm to the
scene unequalled elsewhere. Surround
ed as we are almost by salt water, famed
by pleasant breeZes on soft moonlight
nights, and with the most lovely women
that ever came forth from natures
mould, had this detractor of our vener-
able and Anticipated city, but remained
long enough to see the beauties we have
so hastily and imperfectly sketched, he
would never have been guilty of SO foully
disappearing us.
We have besides, great number of
fine Churches, with very tall steeples,
which present, in point of architectural
beauty and finish, as respectable an APP
pearance as those Of other cities double
our size. Our hotels are not behind any
Of the age, in size, beauty of construction,
Of good accommodation, and our public
are much finer than those of
Richmond. Then, there is our beauteous
partner, Portsmouth, fair as nympth of
ocean, facing her Uis-a-vis in quadrille.
Who says our city and its surroundings
are surpassed any where for beauty, ele-
gance and comfort? None but carping
Bohemian, who is determined to find
fault with everything and do justice to
We do hope that these gentlemen who
pass by us and give hasty glance, will
in future, not be so prompt about form
ing an opinion. They must not judge
our town by outward appearances. Go
into the heart Of the city and you will |
find it as cozy place, as perfect a little |
paradise, as you would wish to dwell in
a city of homes, and home of hearts.