The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-05-18
Norfolk and rortsrnouth.

confidential and Important STATE con comm
sscu without having it blabbed ~ons 70 ..ne
world BY indiscreet and prying pei'on'
We went recently to Portsmouth upon
high commission, touching nsnefleo ' ~
distilled liquids, and everybody was ~
formed of Il by certain gossipy PERSONS
without entering into particulars as 20
what the object was, we did go 10 Ports as-
n,nnt,, and to Norfolk. We found both places
in that happy mood that people always are
in when they are blessed with the gooa
things Of life In abundance: at peace with
tbernselyes and the rest of mankind.
It '; was the height of the trucking season
for early vegetables and fruits. On one
dav there were shipped from Portsmouth
1a5 900 quarts of strawberries. More than
1000 negroes were picking strawberries IN
the patches OF the plains in the vicinity OF
Portsmouth, The scene was full OF ANNA
ton and rarity.
Norfolk is preparing for fresh water, as
our readers know. We urged the people OF
Portsmouth to join her and have the plan
suited to the supply of both cities. 1t would
Tighten the burthen Of n orfolk, aud secure
the -ereatest of blessings to Portsmouth,
who can never prosper rapidly without it.
That both towns have been SO bountifully
supplied with pure liquors as to make them
somew hat indifferent to water, has been
widespread conviction. But Norfolk, ut
least, is determined to adultcrate little.
1t is strange sig hit to an uplander to look
upon the vast swamps and level plains OF
the region about our sister towns OF the sea-
lin the broad fields that sweep away as far as
lthe eve can reach, one may see the grand
gardens Of the seaboard that are to be. Al
ready an immense trade is sprung up out oil
the produce of the gardens, yet but par.
tall projected. A great part of the land
Ills exhaustless in fertility, and is steadily adj
vancing in value.
Numerous bayous. intersect the land, and
! the smoke of the steam vessels and the
% white wings" las they have been before
lcalled y of the sail vessels appear like mys.
Iteries on the sea. Everywhere the uplander
| feels that he is in strange place. The
lbayous are animate with fish, and we con-
| fess that it was more for the want Of u hook
than that it was Sunday that we didn't
slyly drop in q line as we crossed stream
behind Portsmouth. There was " bite -
there certainly.
| In the course of observation we were
Especially struck with the civil demeanor
of the geese, which are SO uncommon
common on the common" of Portsmouth.
We admire this fowl greatly. possibly from
q acknowledging" 1t encroaches on none,
but defends its rights bravely. How many
admirable examples it affords humanity
Its faithfulness-the devotion of parents 20
their young and the tilial affection OF the
offspring. AUDUBON knew their worth,
and so do we when well stuffed and
cooked, especially a Portsmouth goose.
But chiefly did we admire their custom OF
morning additions. The whole family, as
the sun is appearing, enter the pond, eA-
| changing their familiar prattle and protesta-
| tons of mutual devotion. The "mater''
ducks her head industriously, and bathes
her neck and breast, scrubbing herself
with her beak: and when she is done
she is such tidy dame, so calm and
compliment in her conscious propriety.
The goslings swim about, gosslrplnS
freely, while the "pater familias" looks
on in pride, enjoying the glee Of the
objects of his protection. How gracefully
sail about the young ones; how they pass
around the old ones, who sit on the water
like ships that are modelled from them.
The young sail under the bow and then
the poop of the models, while their pro-
genitor gracefully arches bis neck for them
to glide under. The Enquirer could not
pass more gracefully around the Dispatch,
nor could the Dispatch with more JUNCTION
let on mark of appreciation than did the
father Of the geese. The compal ison pleased
our conccit!
What a good thing it would, be for the
family if men would copy this custom of
marching to morning ablutions 1t would
so improve the nation, especially If a due
amount OF soap were used on the occasion.
Now, GREELEY never studied the goose,
though in some particulars we think GREE.
LEY the greatest goose we know. 1--WE
beg pardon of the goose.) On farming
what else is he? We do not thank the
Enquirer for the association of ourself with
him on that point. Mr.. GREELEY is indeed
a remarkable man in many respects, but
what does he know about geese?'
The goose is feature Of the. seaboard
life, as it is feature of the table hospitali-
ty there. And; dropping him, we say that
nowhere else on earth is there to be found
a more bountiful and graceful hospitality
than in Portsmouth and Norfolk. .ss,,a