Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-02-19


one who did not turn and take a second gaze -
[ thought had never seen so singular an OBJ
ject, and inquired Of my nearest neighbor what
apparItiOn it was Imagine my surprise when
[ was informed that it was Mr.. Alexander FL.
Stephens, the eloquent Georgian orator, the
Conservative statesman, and energetic Vice
President of the Confederate States
We pass by the remarks of our author upon
the question of slavery. Nothing upon the sub
iect is of much present interest, though we can
not but recommend them to those who have
Gle Toms Cabin They show the kindly re-
lationship which subsisted between the South
ern planter and his dependent, and we entirely
concur in the sensible and straightforward views
Of Colonel Peyton, that;n all questions affecting
the negro freedmea.of the South the right per-
son to solve them is the Southerner.
In the work before us there are some des-
crlptlons OF American scenery, and an interest
ing chapter upon the Bermuda Islands, where
the NashviUe, in which the author ran the
blockade, remained a week to take in COAL
From Bermuda the NIdshviUe proceeded on her
way to England, and during this part Of the
voyage destroyed a fine American ship-the
Hafvey Birch
There are some amusing details related in
this chapter, which brings us to England. The
following is a graphic description ofhunting for
| boarding house -.
''But Imust continue in search of my pension
My cab drew up in front of one which professed
to furnish the upper classes only with the COM
forts of quiet home and cheerful society. In
answer to my rap, page appeared IN greasy
livery. stepped, into hall, soiled, discolored,
and dusty, and sadly in want OF soap and water,
paint, and varnish. A few seedy-looking great
coats were suspended from hooks in the wall.
In the act OF beating retreat, or, as General
Mcclellan would say, Of changing my base, [
was brought up by the matrcn, ponderous old
| body Of at least siXtcen-stone weight who, ad
vancing as well as she could with profusion
of jerky bows, insisted on my walking in. A
moment observation satisfied me that the rule
here was not Let me know who you are, that
may measure my civilities according to your de-
serts /? but that the proverbially warm welcome
of an inn awaited all who came with money a
second glance equally convinced me that a step
backward was impossible, and therefore, with
out any ado, | made known the object of my
| visit.
"'Oh, yaas, said she, I can accommodate
you beautifully. It's SO very lucky. I've just
got two rooms vacant-the first time in three
months-both large and hairy and on the sun
ny side. You saw my advertisement in the
Times All! great paper, the Times; some
thing Of a thunderer, did you say? Well, it
|
vertised before; you know some people dom t
like it, but, you know, body's old connections
die off, and a body must do something to make
new 'uns. Please walk up, sir. and let me show
you my establishment. | am well known, sir
This is no common lodgings Possesses accom-
modations Of the most elegant description-ac-
customed to the geenteelest circles.
eve mounted first to the chambers on the
second floor, the doors Of which opened on their
hinges with creak, as though grumbling at
the unaccustomed intrusion, and found them
small narrow rooms, generally with one window,
through which a few wlntry sunbeams were fl
terng, casting long strips of light and shadow
on threadbare carpet and dirty bed-cover =
The curtains were faded and the air damp and
musty. Turning from these we entered the
parlors, the same size as the bedrooms, which
were scantily furnished, cold and dismal Sev-
eral persons were occupying them at the time.
They had, with one or Two exceptions, the va
cant, restless air and manner one would expect
to lind among the inmates of a madhouse. A
thin old lady, drawn up near the almost empty
CRATE, was evidently nervous and hypochondria-
cal; to her right was fat, asthmatical subject
old lady number two-with a gaudy head-dress
OF artificial flowers and ON the opposite side
two OF as buxom, bithe, and de5onna6e girls
as you wish to see, one lolling on sofa, and the
other yawning over the og-eared leaves of
sensation novel;
The two are the darters of a titled lady,
SAID the proprietress.
Standing before the party of ladies, speak
ing IN oracular tone, but in broken English,
was Whiskered and spectacled individual
object OF no small interest to the girl with the
novel-whose tout ensemble suggested vivid
ideas Of the shabby genteel
: That's the Baron, said the red faced pro-
prietress, with evident pride, "a German lord
at home, but professionally engaged here in ar
tistlc pursuits. Have you any corns? Well,
it's very lucky; he will give you instant relief
He is a famous chiropodist and artist pedicure
My company is as you have just seen, composed
exclusively of nobility and gentry, and them as
are nobility,s connections And | am a born
lady sir. Yaas, sir, and lady bred. It's
ly misfortune as has brought me down, and it
isn't very low either when one considers what
company I keep. The hairystocracy, such as
the Baron, is my stay. In my time | have
lived with princes, and princes have been glad
to live here with me; but even they were never
received without a reference Yaas sir, refer
ences are given and required.
THUS proceeded the worthy matron, as if
for the mere love of talking, while we made our
way to the front door. Before reaching that
most desired loophole of retreat, my progress
was barred by person took to be the chief
cook, who issued from q side door at this crltl-
cal moment, doubtless to join his mistress IN
enforcing upon me the peculiar advantages OF
the establishment / felt, after this reinforce
ment Of the enemy, quite IN ertye'ass, but de
termined, before drawing off, to put the lady
to the test, merely for the fun Of it, and said
'''You observe [ am a foreigner?'
''Oh yaas, said she, I knowed it at once
You are Irish, arn't you?'
"'Oh, no; can you understand perfectly
what [ say?'
''Bless you, yaas, every word. You speak
English beautifully. | beg your pardon, sir,
but [ hope you a-arn't Yankee?
replied rather testify
6 No, madame.
emo offence, sir am very fond Of some
Yankees. Clever people them Jonathans are
It not me but my company as objects to Yam
kee Mericans, you know.
but I have just landed from long journey,
and it is not the easiest thing in the world for
a stranger to give reference.
"sUmph! that's true, said the matron;
but it's formaity, nothing more You can
refer to your landlord at the inn.
C True; but what can he say? That | en-
tered his house few days ago; since that,
have eaten as much food, and washed it down
with as much wine, as probably any native guest
he ever had that he has not presented his BILL
and consequently, as matter OF course, it has
not been paid. Voilap
'''Oh, you wicked one, how you are chatting
me said the matron; but can stand plenty
of that, so never mind. And you be a French
man? Very well, | don stand on forms and
ceremony. Miss Agnes will be delighted you