The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-04-26
LETTER FROM PETERSBURG.
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch.
PETERSBURG, April "a, 1867.

Seldom has the spring burst upon us
with so much beauty as at the present
time. The few warm days we have just
had have clothed the trees in foliage and
brought forth thousands of flowers, among
when the graceful $piren is among the
most attractive. But the most gorgeous
floral spectacle | have ever seen is the
,aqgpolu cDnSDictenS. On the grounds OF
the late Qun Morton stands a very fine
specimen of this tree, about twenty feet in
height, and of pyramidal form, every
branch and twig OF which was lately
covered with large blossoms OF the purcSt
white, rivalling III their brilliancc the
drifted snow. The lovers of the beau
tiful in Nature onght 10 have their atten-
ton specially called to this fine species OF
the magnificent genus Of magnolias; for
nothing more striking and ornamental
could have place in their yards. 1t has
the merit also of being very hardy and OF
fast growth. The beautiful ges>eminam-
usually bat Incorrectly called the yellow
ia,mine-iS now in lis glory. This Is a ma
tive climber which | have never seen
growing spontaneously north Of the Apo
mattox: hut in the Dismal swamp and
other localities tavoring its development 1t
mounts To the top ot the lofticSt Expresses,
and fills the air with its exquisite fragrance
There are other curious native plants
growing in this vicinity not known north oil
James river, but their names might not
interest your readers.
Though our city may not be emhelliShcd
by any large number Of costly buildings,
it enjoys a sort Of prominence in the pro-
fusion OF line trees and flowers which de-
coratc almost every portion OF It's extend
cd limits. When the Federal army came
in 10 take possession two years ago, the
men seemed TO be lost in admiration at the
variety and elegance of this rural feature
The season was then about two weeks III
advance Of the present.
The Catholics are making active prepa-
rations for holding fair next week for the
benefit of their church. Library Hall has
been placed al their disposal for the Occa-
sion, and will be occupied during the ell
tire week. That ii will be a success ad
mits of no reasonable doubt, for perhaps
there never was u time in our history when
an equal tlaternal feeling existed among
all the Christian denominations OF this city.
The attempt, however, to obtain foot
hold for the northern wing OF the Metho-
dist church by separate organization
meets with but little encouragement from
anybody, and least of all from the native
members of the Methodist denomination
Services have been advertised for the last
two Sundays by the Rev. Mr.. Grant, to be
conducted at Library Hall, but the al.
tendance has been of the most meagre de-
scription.
Intelligent gentlemen from the country
say that the negroes are much agitated OF
the subject OF their newly conlerred cleo
tive rights and the manner in which they
shall cast their votes. At Grcensvlllc
court, for instance, a few days ago, there
was large gathering, and speeches were
made by both white and black speakers
Among the former, was an officer of the
Freedmen's Bureau. His and such like
addresses were well received by the color
ed portion of the audience, while those OF
conservative character made 10 fayora-
BILE impression. That the negroes through
out the country will vote in solid phalanx
is to be seriously apprehended, the diSScn-
ticnts being so few as 10 have but little
influence OH the result. That they were
set free by the Yankees is an appeal 10
their imaginations of such force as not
easily TO he overcome by an address TO
their reason. >.