Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-11-12
OUR SPECIAL COHREsPONDENC
GeUrgia@g hfnxs at ssusincsa kin-
prnvemenss = Hoteis-1Iai. Wilson Tom
settle ina Artists Studio FIreman's
Parade-.'JeT" Eayis-The Press Sc.
AUGUSTA, GA. Oct. 30, 1869.

AUGUSTA, GA, Oct 30, 1869.
Dear Journal: This place was reached
by your correspondent night before-last,
and he has, since his arrival, had some
opportunity to look around him and OBJ
serve the changes that have occurred in
the last decade. That Augusta is greatly
improved, cannot too hesitatingly assert;
although l think l can perceive altera'
tons that contribute in no small degree to
add 10 its external beauties. The residen-
ces on Green street-always famous for
their handsome extern or-look just as they
looked in 1857 Perhaps they are not SO
beautiful as they then seemed, for the
chilling finger of frost has touched the
leaves on the trees, and the defacing hand
Of time has lain its weight upon the sub
stantial structures The business streets
are not more crowded with energetic cltl-
zens plying their vocations, and the art Of
enterprise is not greater but, neverthe-
less, stone and brick fronts are being re-
| placed with iron and glass, and the dash
ing display reminds the idler that sensa-
ton is upon the rampage contestiug the
progress or, if not, acting as Jealous ally.
The hotels of Augusta are no better than
those of Wilmington. but [ think will rank
with them very evenly. "The Globe"
gives the wayfarer an old Virginia well
come, and is presided over by an old Vir-
ginia gentleman-Mr. Hewett. ''The
Planters is larger than the ''Purcell'' Of
your city, but has no advantage over it,
Notwithstanding the fact that the City
Hotel" Counter is on hand with his genial
smile and an eye on the watch to North
Carolinians. At this last mentioned es-
Enlistment met gentleman il whose
State were once deeply aroused. refer to
Maj. Wilson, who was arrested and incar
cerated by military authority at the end
of the war for catching and shooting &C.
serters under the orders of General Lee
Tom Settle-now unworthily wearing the
ermine-was Solicitor at the time, and
exhausted the devilish inventions Of his
cruel malice to bring punishment upon
the meritorious soldier thrown into his
power by tho unfortunate issue o. the
war. Happily Maj. Wilson escaped the
cunning devices that were assiduously en-
ployed to secure his judicial murder, and
now lives to watch and wait for the reck-
oning that will ulely come.
''For Time at last makes all things even,
Aud If We DO but watch the hour,
There never Yet Wss human pOWr
That could evade. If uGforgiVeu
The patient search, the vigil lon,
Of him who treasures up wrong"
Maj Wilson is an Augusta merchant
and is doing han;!somely-hi business be
ing the sale and purchase Of Virginia unl
North Carolina tobacco. He is d member
of the Broad Street firm, Osley, wilson
& Co.
While III Augusta, I had an opportunity
Of visiting the private studio OF that ac-
complished artist and gentleman, John ".
Wlghtman, Esq, a son Of the late Vim.
Wightman, of Charleston, S. c., himself
an artist and Il poet, whose works, not only
with the brush but with the pen, we've III
variably characterized by the true essejsce
of genius. Mr.. Wightman has inherited
the endoWments Of his father, and his col
lection of paintings comprise many that to
my eye-an uncultivated eye, l will con
fess-are full of beauties and excellence
How unfortunate that our Southern peo-
pie, so liberia n their patronageof the fine
arts generally, have not done more to en-
courage the art of arts-paintiug The
thing of beauty" said poor Keats, is q
JOY forever ;" and if this be true it would
seem that no man with a spark of p2ecry
in his soul could contemplate the anguish
ing of so lovely an interest without eypeli
encing emo ions of indignant regret. Mr..
Wightman is not only AZ artist OF rare
merit, but he is one of the most engaging
gentlemen In conversation that | have
known full of anecdotes of the distll.-
guished age that is passing away, and in
an occasional flash of conversational eo-
quence gives vivid and graphic sketch O:
some man he has known, whose name was
as household word in his day and gen
Grafton. His description Of Maffitt, the
great pulpit orator of old Father Taylor
of the Boston Seaman's Home of the old
er Beecher; and of other celebrated men
with whom he was thrown, when young
man and studying his art, were SO delight
full that / regret that it is impossible for
me to reproduce them for tho benefit IF
your readers.
This afternoon [ witnessed d magnificent
display-the semiannual parade OF the
Fire Department. There were perhaps
dozen organizations in the procession;
| three, possibly four, steam fire engines,
and one hook and ladder, hose, and other
companies. On one hose cart saw por-
trait of a faca that made my heart beat
faster and keep better time to the wild
strains OF martial music that were reVerbe-
rating from wall to wall of Broad street.
1t was the lace Of JEFFERSON DAVIS, and as
the company passed l instinctiyely lifted
my hat to the foremost man of the century.
| God guard him forever and ever, while he
lives upon earth an illustrious PRESERVATION
of the hottest cause in which sword was
ever drawn. and when he dies and goes to
| Heaven. if there be one particular place
higher than another, set apart for the IN
paralleled mortal of all ages and c!imes, I
know he will be led to it by Saint Peter
and be installed amid tho resembling Ho-
sannahs of Seraphs, and the loud, long,
happy plaudits of the blessed Saints who
have passed blameless through the proba-
ton of life.
! The COnstitutionalist and the Chronicle Dc
Sentinel are each doing we'll. I enjoyed
the happiness of meeting Messrs. Randall
and Call, edito rs of the former, and Mr..
| Walsh, an editor of the latter. These gen
| tlemen-true brothers of the quill-gave
me that cordial welcome which I always
know Imay expect from my acquaintance
and co-laborers of the press
NosNIBoR.