The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1865-07-22
THE NEW SOUTH.
The Ruins ofColumbla.
CoLuMB1A, S. c., July II, 1866.

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COLUMBIA, S. c., July II, 1866.
Mr.. EDrroR.-I propose to give You
from week to week few pen and Ink
sketches that will interest your readers,
probably. as coming from the interior
1 date INV letter from the ruins OF this
beautiful city. Columbia is-or rather,
,cas-the most beautiful city IN America;
Situated upon q hill that rises hundred
feet or more above the dashing Congaree,
II lies upon table-hnd extensive enough
to hold the population Of New York or
London. Columbia was called by some
the "Garden City" owing to the mum.
her and beauty of its private gardens OF
frnits and flowers. 1 have heard it called
the =" Grove City," owing to the beautl-
fnl shade and ornamental trees that
adorned its streets and quiet walks. L
have sometimes heard it called the PIC
ture City., on account of the charming
views and prospects of hill and dale that
attract the admitting gaze Of the passing
stranger. Standing upon Taylor's Hill
at early morning, or at the sunset hour,
The eve takes in one of the most beau-
f;fd landscapes in the world. Not grand,
not sublime, but beautiful. At your feet
lies sydney Park, with its green grass
plats and shady walks, the cool dash of
its fountains, and its rustic seats, provb
ded for the weary or the idle; add to this
n bevy of laughing girls here and there,
coouetting in the shade; interspersed
with well-dressed matrons, and little
children with their nurses taking steps
or keeping time to band OF music, and
Won have q picture of Columbia just one
yedr aao. Lift your eyes and panoram-
ic view of exceeding beauty stretches for
miles beyond, wasting itself In the dis
sance like the blue waves OF the sea-
Here and there you may catch orlght
elimpses of the river, and cultivated
farms looking like chequer board and
sleeping in the sunlight on the Lexlng-
ION shore. These natural beauties still
remain, and still from the neighborlnS
church tower you may take IN at glance
the whole rural picture and quietly feel
the sentiment in your heart God made
the country and man made the town.
and we may now add "dcstr"yed the
town" But like the corpse OF young
bride she is still beautiful in death
The city il is true is heap Of ruins but
she is still beautiful even III ruins. BY
the light Of day the stark chimneys and
gloomy walls are sad pictures OF deSoia-
fion and decay. In the places where
gay faces appeared and bright eyes
glanced IN times gone lay, where the
sounds cf music, fcstivisy and song were
heard. now rcigns the silence OF the
grave. Bats build their nests in the cor
ners and the wild fox looks out at the
windows. Do you feel sad: DO tears
nnbidden we'll up in the heart and over
flow in the eyes? Look upward. The
clear blue sky spreads her canopy OF
hidden stars overhead and the clrcum-
ambient air fans your temples and re-
freshes YOUR heart. Look upward, and
hless God for these things. But the
moon rises from the neighoorinS hl!i and
tips with her silver light the top OF yon-
der ruined spire. She smiles upon the
scenes of desolation, and 10! how beau
tiful, The fingers OF light touch The
spot OF idea!ity Fancy wreathes her
o,rlands: Memory asserts her sway; and
Won find yourself murmuins with the
noble barl--
"Hyou would see fair Melrosc Alright,
You must view her alone in the pale moonhsn''
I'VE quote from memory rs we do not
now own bockl-and, taking far
friend on your arm you will say = let Us
walk Ia yondCr ruin.