Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-03-05
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL.
WILMINGTON, n. G.
FRIDAY. MARCH 8. 1869
"reminiscences OF Mobile.

the DeoDlo of MODiio lOL 'L4CAL Ni1-01J ~
oention and princely hospitality during
our recept visit to that city, we might re
vive in our columns the "reminiscences o.
those pleasures, certainly not without long
ing, but without fear of doing partial JUS
tice.
We said in letter written the day sue
ceeding our arrival, that the murky Skies
and raw atmosphere which cast misty
gloom upon the city as we approached the
wharf was made GLORIOUS Summer by
the kindness of our reception. Yet at that
lime We did not know of the elysium OF
hospitality and liberality into which we
had entered. Beginning with the atten-
tons of the Editors of the Mobile ffess, a
few hours after our arrival, through al
the ramifcstions of public and private
sociability, by day and by night, We were
the perpetual recipients Of the unceaslng
inequalities of the good people OF that
CITY. Hardly had we brushed the dust of
travel from our garments, before the mem
bers of the Mobile Press. of the Board OF
Trade of the Manassas and st. James
Clubs, extended to us the privileges of their
respective associations. Capt. A. III. Cop
FREY, of the Battle House, made Us at
home in his magnificent hotel. Telegraph
offices, theatres, livery stables, restaurants
and everything which could contribute to
our entertainment or convenience, were
thrown open to us and pressed upon our
acceptance. It is well that i'll these earlier
days of our stay the members of the
Press Association devoted themselves to
the business which called them together,
for afterwards it would have required more
than Spartan foltitude to have Withstood
all the temptations which would have inter
fered with duty. AS it was, reluctantly de-
clining some of the many Invitations press
ed upon us, we hope the labors OF the Con-
yention we're such as will rebound to the
lasting welfare of the Southern Press.
However, OH Thursday, the second day
Of the session, the Board of Trade, In
whose fine Hall the Association held its
sessions, iasinuated their attentions into our
deliberations by inviting rs to small
lunch, which they declared could in no
wise interfere with our order of business.
The recess being granted, we cannot say
that the munifcence of our subsequent en-
tertainment surprised us after partaking OF
this modest repast. This served to intro
duce us to the merchants of Mobile,
and after events only made them our
friends. Thursday night, by invitation of
the Manager, the Association attended the
Theatre, where special programme was
gone through with for our entertainment.
After the Theatre we proceeded to the
Manassas Club, whose invitation we had
previously accepted. Its handsome parlors
were filled with the leading citizens of
Mobile. Upon opening the doors of the
dining hall one Of the finest sights, in a
dietetic point of view, We ever saw, greeted
ON eye. Tho supper was magnificent and
the entertainment was grand, whether We
regard the quality and quantity of the food
and wines, Or the eloquence and wit and
kindliness of our hosts.
On Friday morning, the Convention
having adjourned until 5 o'clock, p. NJ,
we went on board the steamer Annie, as
the guests Of the Board of Trade, for an
excursion down tho bay. Captain MURPHY,
Of that beautiful and swift little steamer,
kindly rendered tho use of the Annie.
Some of Mobiles fairest daughters en-
livened the excursion by their presence,
and for the first time introduced us into
the charms Of the social circle, which after
wards we plessurably learned was the chief
attraction of the city. Some thirty miles
down the harbor brought Us to the ship
ping. And here we discovered the foun-
dation of the real prosperity Of Mobile.
Nearly forty ships, of the largest tonnage,
rode in perfect security. safe from the
sudden storms Of those Southern ATTITUDES.
and before them was the open Gulf, free to
their egress and ingress without the costly
aid of steam-tugs. Loading is already
cheap, but the construction of ship-chan-
uel to the wharves Of the city, which is
contemplated and can be accomplished at
comparatively small cost. will render the
present advantages Incompatible among
the ports of the Gulf of Mexico. With or
without this addition to its harbor, we feel
that the future of Mobile is q bright one.
Its merchants look beyond the mere
present, and with an enlightened hberality
aud far-sightedness, are laying the sure
foundations OF magnificent city, con-
trolling the commerce of vast sections OF
the country. God speed those noble men
in their good work.
Among the most noticeable vessels in the
harbor was a new stee! ship, the Altcar.
from Liverpool. The plates were only
three-elghts of an inch in thickness, and
with quite four thousand bales of cotton
already slowed away, she was as buoyant
as life-boat. The Altcar is by far the
prettiest piece of naval architecture we
ever saw.
Bidding adieu to the officers of this
vessel, our steamer turned homeward. It
was now that the spiritual manifestations
of the Board of Trade, which had found so
many apt mediums upon the downward
trip, burst forth in oil their solid material