The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-07-25

| NJ 'Ion, WHICH WAS conceived by
mr. l.. b. Tatun, the energetic eenero,
agent of the James River Steamboat Con-
pany, was advertised in the Dispntch 70
come OF on last Saturday night, at which
Ilme, about O'Clock, the steamer :Iobn
| sylvester left her wharf at Rockets with y
iarge party of pleasure. seekers, represent.
| ing every class OF business in the CITY. Tho
hlsnt was cool and pleasant, the moon shone
ipriently, and precisely at the aboye.named
nour the stern line was cast off, and we were
on the bosom Of the noble i" Jeems,v gIjdinp
down its quiet waters, to the inspiratinSS S :
strains of martial music and the loud cheer.
ing or the 3" boys" Parties were soon
formed IN various parts of the boat, and
singing, joking, yarn-telling, and dancing
soon became the order OF the night, OuTr
| reporter, having no ear-for music, nor foot
ior dancing, ensconced himself in q quiet
corner, and was soon locked in the arms of
| morpheus. He, was, however, awakened
from his dreamy reveries by the arrival OF
the boat at City Point, where our party
was reinforced by about seventy.tive from
the city OF Petersburg, this addition to the
company making total of about $50 pas
sengers. About II o'clock the party began
TO grow weary, and the band having
bowed OUT quiet began to reign, and
nothing was heard but the dull, monoto-
nous working OF the engine.
The cushions, tables, and floors of the
| upper saloon, were soon thickv strewn
with sleeping forms, and the drowsy god
| took possession of all, s,lye few who wan
| dered lIstlcssly about, stumbling over the
sleeping forms and waiting patiently for the
| morning. About AZ A. NJ. we emerged
| from the james river, and just as we en-.
tered Hampton Roads the sun peeped out
from behind the eastern clouds, and soon
burst forth in one gorgeous mass of
splendor. Only those who have wit.
| messed sunrise at sea can apprc-
cIate 1t. In half an hour after VIC
reached Fortress Monroe, and passing be.
tween it and the Rip Raps, the steamer
headed for the Capes, and was soon plough
ing the swelling waters Of the Chesapeake
! bay. After run Of Il few miles, she turned,
and headed for the Old Point wharf. AS
she Grounded to-" she ran into school
Of porpoiSes, who showed their apprecia-
ton Of the fact by leapins above and
sporting with the waves IN the wake Of the
steamer. This was indeed IL novel sight to
the "laud lubbcrs," who enjoyed their
playful gambolS hugely.
At Old Point several Of the party left the
boat to enjoy the pleasure of day at that
place. The rest remaining on board the
steamer soon started for Norfolk, which
place we reached at 6 A. NJ. The party
then dispersed to. various places-some Yis-
iting Portsmouth and the Gosport navy
yard, some to this point and some to that,
and .feT-among them our reporter
going to church. The day was thus spent
in the City by the Sea-" everything
passing off quietly. we are happy
to state, our Richmond boys behaving re-
markaDIy well. at 2N O'clock the whistle
of the steamer was heard through the en-
virons Of the town, recalling the pilgrims OH
board. At 3 u. NJ, we started over to
Portsmouth, took on board such rs had
visited that place, and at 3A Z. NJ, the
Sylvester, like an impatient steed, was
rushing down the blue waters Of the har-
Dor, homcwarl bound we called by Old
Point for the rest of our party, and was
soon heading up the noble Jcems. Moth
ing OF interest happened during The trip
up, and we reached our wharf at Rockets
about a. NJ. yesterday morning.
We venture to say that never has a more
orderly party, composed Us it were almost
entirely of gentlemen, engaged in an eX-
cursion of this kind, and the becoming
manner in which all behaved, with probably
ore or two exceptions, added much to tile
pleasures of The excursion. There was cum
parativelv little drinking, and no noise or
disturbance beyond Il jovial and humorous
How of spirits.
Refreshments of all kinds, including sub
stantial>, deicaccS, and drinkableS, were
in prnill>ion, and extensively pltroniZed,
though, as we have before stated, the latter
article was not indu@cd in to the usual eX-
tent on such occasions. We would wager,
however, thHi our confrcrc Of The Enquirer
Is the best Judge OF lemoadde in the state.
10 the polite and attentive officers If the
Sylvester is due the success Of the trip,
every arrangement to insure it having been
previously made by that efficient agent, l..
Is. Iatum. The detachment Of city police,
under the command of Captain Charles Ii &.
EppS, were most efficient in the discharge
OF their duty. though they had little oppor-
tunlty to exercise their functions, their
presence hcin" sufficient. All were So much
pleased with the whole trip that it is hoped
the company may he induced 10 give an
other.