The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-01-31

ing street, hlnS street and Rutledgo street roads
wero the resort OF the gay and happy who wore
fortunate enough to possess vehicle, or to OWL
horse. The summer days were then halcyon
period, when the plank road was hourly crowded
with moving throng, who gladly escaped from,
the heat and dust of the city to breathe tho pure
country air. and be lulled to forgotfulness by tho
rustling of the pines. Now this is all changed
it is true tho air is the same and the music Of tho
trees as meodious MS ever but the plank road is
msnomer its foundations arc gone, and it's
glory has departed.
Owing either to the neglect and misusage occa-
stoned by the war; to the raids made upon it for
frewood during that period, it suffered extensive
~, and would now compare favorably with the far
famed cordcroy roads of our ancestors. 1t is true
that it still offers an admirable field for homeo-
pstlhc practice, and any dyspeptic or nervous
Individual who will endure days joltng over it's
inequalities, can return home new man. No ono
who has any regard for Life limb or even comfort,
presumes to drive upon tn, so-called plank road
in its present dapidated condition, but side cut
has been extemporized and the sand or mud Of
that is far preferable to the ground and lofty tum
bling experienced on the other.
It is high time that some steps MEre taken to
improve tho condition OF these roads If the city is
too poor (Which is unfortunately the casc), let it
be made public enterprise. It is truo that owing
to the location Of Charleston, the space is very
limited and the drives few in number, but this
will only entail less e1penco and render those few
moro popular than ever. Rut1edgo King and
Moetng street roads a1e the main avenues to the
city, large portion Of them lying within the city
limits, and should, by oil means, be rescue from
tho shame and reproach that has fallon upon them
Tho Rutleage road was never blessed with the
improvement of plsnks and row presents dreary
waste of sand that one would encounter for
pleasure; the others several shades better but
drive upon them is far from bcing tho acmo Of
happiness. Augusta is noted FOR the beauty of its
drives, and roads leading to its suburbs arc
always crowded by the pleasure-seekers The
principal ono Of these is turnpike which is kept
in excellent order by the small toll exacted but all
are in splendid travelling condition. and reflect
credit upon tho city.
Although Charleston, from it's position, has no
suburbs, and the soil is far moro sandy than that
of Augusta, yet i; promises an advantage in only
having three thoroughfares and little timoly at
tentlon would make these compare fnvorably with
those Of any city. The plank road has been tried
as the least expensive, and while new, answered
tho purpose admirably; but it required frequent
repairs, and when out of order was excessively dis
agreeable. In New Orleans and other places, the
shell road has been used with great success; but
although the material is abundant it would REQUIRE
vast amount, and be ultimately very expensive
BY far the best paving for road is what is
usually known as the Nickerson's. This has been
in general use in several Of the Western cities, and
has given universal satisfaction rs it requires but
a small outlay and is very durable It is composed
OF small square blocks of wood, four feet by SIX
laid closely together and tho ntcrstices filed with
gravel This pavement will last for years, and pro-
sents far moro oven surface than one formed of
cobble stones; besides it has the advantage Of
cheapncss especially in this country, whe1o the
wood be procured and prepared at q small
cost.
turnpike road established on these principles
would not only soon pay for itself, but ultimately
afford good revenue for its projectors. A good
road is essential to the prosperity Of any CITY, and
there arc few who need ono more than Charleston
If wait until the city authorities are able to
undertake this improvement many years will
elapse, and the road become daily the worse for
wear. Private enterprise has always succeeded
better than that Of corporate body, and if this
matter is taken in hand by our moneyed citizens.
next summer Will see these old roads rejuvenated,
and rejoicing in the increased travel which their
condition will command
The BALTIMORE Gcaeue of Monday, January %,
has the following:
SAILING OF STEAMEEs-TM TRACK AGAIN OPEN.
For somo time past the city of Baltimore has
suffered very seriously in consequence of all com
being cut off Several efforts we're made, and at
one time with partial success cut for the want Of
a boat Of sufficient capacity the track closed and
the approach of spring, well nigh gone The
steamer Falcon, Of A1ordecai's Charleston line.
several severn, days M aao moEed down as far as the Middle
hdently asserted the. she could easily make track
through the ice to the open water of the way.
work and the ice was broken around her, and a
that she might get start. Early in tho after
she made a, start and went through the ice,
fourteen inches thick with apparent easo The
steamboat metropolitan, which had been lying in
get up to the city, ana the Falcon made circle
around her and relieved her so that she had no
Fngon IN getting up to Wharf
10 last seen was near Fort Carroll, going steady
along. The steamer Patapsco followed in the
OF he e going out
very thick each side Of the track, it will not be
difficult to keep it clear if sufficient number Of
agitated The steamer Mexican, OF tho Baltimore
and Liverpool Line s ready to sail, and had steam
up yesterday afternoon, but the protracted north
west wind made the tide SO low that she could not
get away from her wharf The steamers of the
Norfolk line now that the track is opened can. II
u 1S QcoHeQ QeSlraDe, come up to the CITY. Last
night, however. was very cold, and if prompt mea-
surcs are not adopted to keep the track flee, the
harbor will ain be sealed to avoid which nothing
should be left undone. s.--- .i7"0 ~
TIE Augusta Constitutionalist, il, speaking Of
Bishop LYNCH, of this city, says:
Bishop Inlcn, nf the Catholic Church. will de-
liver lecture in the Cato City for the benefit of
the poor, in The Central Presbyterian Church, on
Thursday night next, at half past seven o'clock
His subject will be 'sThe Tunnel Of the Alps" By
the way, the Bishop is docketed for lecture in
this city If we remember correctly.
The elocudonary talents Of the Bishop are SO
well known and appreciated in his Diocese, that We
congratulate our Georgia friends upon the treat in
store for them. The Bishop is pleasing and I'M
pressive speaker: and, having vast fund Of popu-
lar knowledge, can make his lectures very enter
tanning.
KNsMAN's SALooN.-Itis is an old proverb that three
moves are equal to fire; but when the two are
combined, the supposition would naturally be that
the sufferer is ruined. With but few exceptions
this theory is correct, but Mr.. W. KnssMAN is one
Of that exceptional class. The frs may destroy
and the moves may damage, but yield he will not,
and is now making temporary move in order to
nrenara r.or,oa mont raof;Dor p1ooo NJ = z.-