The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-12-28
PETERSBURG. December &c, 1868.

PETERSBURG, December 20, iooo',
Christmas day passed off in our city IN
very quiet but very pleasant way. Llttle
or no disorder marked its recurrence-no'
thing. indeed, to furnish an item OF IN
terese to correspondent or reporter. Inc
STORES we're all closed during the day, and
husiness entirely suspended. But from
the number of fowls and varieties OF meats
with which our markets were crowded for
several days preceding, and which were
All sold off ct not unreasonable prices,
we may conjecture with much probability
THAT every family able to command few
dollars enjoyed an excellent Christmas
dinner. And from the heavy drafts made
on the toy shops and confectioneries We
may equally suppose that the young ones
we're duly provided for. On that blessed
day also there were many family rednions
Of The different branches Of the former
household gathered once more under the
same paternal roof. So may it always be!
Norwere the POOR, we trust, neglected by
those whose tables were loaded with album
dance. Ifsevery one who could spare mad
contributed something to even one desti-
tute neighbor it might be said with truth
that there was not q mouth in the city yes
terday but what was filed with good cheer,
We hear to-day by. special telegram that
an attempt was made yesterday morning to
destroy the railroad bridge over the South
Branch, seven miles this side of Norfolk.
The bridge is an iron structure, but the
cross-ties on the track are of wood. These
we're pretty much destroyed. There has
been no train from thence up to this time
of writing, but it is understood that the
repairs will be completed to-day.
The Episcopal and Catholic churches were
ell handsomely decorated, as usual, and
yesterday, for the first time, divine service
was performed in the main audience room
of Grace church. 1t is beautifully finish
cd, andis one of the finest rooms in the city.
A good deal is yet to be done before the
edifce is fully completed but whenever it
is, it will be perhaps the most imposing
building Of its class in the city. The Rev.
Mr.. Gibson, who holds the same relation to
the other clergymen Of the city that the
apostle John did to the disciples, is the
rector of this church, and has been for
more than twenty years. a
Within day or two past our policemen
have all appeared in full uniform, and pre-
sent quite striking appearance. No cul-
prit csn henceforth plead ignorance as an
excuse for resisting an officer. Several per-
sons have lately been fined $500 for this
offence (which certainly deserves to be ,se-
verely punished), but we have not heard Of
its being paid in any one instance. 1t is
we'll enough, however, to keep it by way Of
terror over certain class.
One of our citizens by the name of John
Patterson was found dead in his room yes
terday morning: The coroner will hold an
inquest over the body this afternoon. Mr..
Patterson was the son of gentleman Of
the same name-a cannie Scotchman-for
many years greatly distinguished in the
police annals of this city. With half
dozen men he kept every offender in awe;
but while he was feared he was also very
popular with the class with which he had
mostly to deal.
The receipts Of cotton to-day, and indeed
for the week, have been quite liberal, and
the market continues firm. S.