The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-05-04

THE New SLEEPING CARS ON THE FRED
ERICKsBURG ROAD.-EXCURsION TO ASHLAND
YESTERDAY EvENING.-The managers of the
Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac
railroad, who have already done so much
for the convenience of travellers upon
their line. have now received two Of the
elegant sleeping cars provided by the
Southern Transportation Company for use
upon the southern railroads. These cars
are fitted up in the most elaborate style
and with every Improvement that can con-
duce to the comfort of their passengers.
Each car is fifty-five feet long, ten feet
wide, nine feet high, and will accommodate
forty-eight persons with comfortable
bcrths. Each car is also furnished with
water closets and washstands, with all the
requisites ofthe toilet, including even soap,
towels, and combs. There are in each four
state-roomS, where passengers can be as
retired and free from observation as in their
own chambers, and eight sections, each OF
which has double bed and two single
berths. These beds and berths will be sup
Piled with clean linen every day. The
decorations and general appointments,
consisting of rich curtains, elegant mir
rorS, soft cushioned seats, and velvet car
pet, are handsome and in good taste. The
ventilating apparatus is excellent, and the
passenger, whatever may be the tempera-
ture in the car, is protected from the risk
of taking cold or exposure to the open air
A box in each car contains tools OF all de-
scriptions, ready for use in case OF accident,
although they are not likely to be needed
IL. rnilr,n1 Tho into
rior wood work is of ash and maple, highly
polished; while the exterior is painted a
light yellow, that color being found the
most durable and the best to stand heat.
Each car is furnished with eight lamps, 10y
the light of which the traveller may lie in
his berth and read at pleasure. The cars
were built by Bolton, Dykeman & Co., OF
Philadelphia, at cost of nine thousand
! dollars each.
These cars, which will wregularly run
upon the Richmond, Fredericksburg and
Potomac railroad, are owned by the
Southern Transportation Company, OF
which Mr.. Thomas Ii. Wynne, of this city
! is President, and Mr.. James A. Dykeman,
of this city, General Superintendent.
| One great advantage of the present
sleeping cars is, that in the daytime they
may be used as first-clasS coaches for la.
dies, and the company which provides
them only charges the various railroads
upon which they are used the extra price
of lodgings at night, which has been fixed
at one dollar.
Yesterday afternoon, by invitation from
the President of the Southern Transporta-
ton Company, party, composed OF some
of the fairest daughters and best matrons
of our city, our Mayor and Common Coun.
Gil, many citizens, and the representatives
of the Richmond press, made an excursion
, on these cars to Ashland. At o'clock the
train started, and away We went by green
fields and dark woods, through swampS
that looked impossible, and over the dark
and sluggish Chickahominy, which brought
sad "reminiscences of gallant and bloody
deeds, until finally we reached the beautiful
| village, Ashland. Here the party was
greeted by Mr.. o. P. Baldwin in little
speech replete with his usual eloquenct
and beauty of expression. lie was an
swered by His Honor Joseph Mayo in
few very appropriate remarks; after which
all hands were invited to the dining-room
Here they were RECALLED with the choices
/ OF urlnkaDleS, cOHCottcu ny JoSidn w HItC
of the "Best Idea," and imported by Mr.
Oscar Cranz. A toast was proposed and
drank to Mr.. p. V. Daniel, President o
the Fredericksburg Railroad Company
which was answered by that gentleman in
his usual elegance of manner and appro
priateness of remarks.
Another was proposed to the Southern
Transportation Company. T. II. Wynne
our old t0wnsman, answered this with many
amusing illusions. His remarks were well
conceived, and were received with much
applause and laughter. Mr.. John Perry
one of the owners of the Ashland Hotel
then invited the party to his house to par
take of his Inequalities. The party tnen
all repaired thither, and half hour or SO
was spent in most conviviai manner
Among the toasts drank was one to An
drew Johnson, the champion OF constitll-
tional liberty" which was heartily re-
sponded to by all parties. While the gen.
| tiemen were thus amusing themselves, the
ladies and the more gallant of the stronger
sex were listening TO the charming voice o.
one of our best professional vocalists. This
lady, with her magnificent voice, pleased
everybody, and had she commenced hel
singing little sooner, John Perry would
10 20 no hut n sna m ,,a RI - IN f,ltov him n