The Cecil Whig., 1872-12-07
LETTER FROM THE SOUTH.
MONTGOMERY, Ala. }
Nov. 18th. 1872 {

Inc capitol situated at the end OF the
principal street on small hill is yer,
pretty building, surrounded, as is usua
with all public buildings, by grounds
which are artistically laid out, and kept il
very good condition. Walking up to the
domo of the Capitol very pretty view o.
the city and surrounding country can be
had. The country being undulating, is
covered with corn stalks and cotton plants,
and with the Alabama river winding its
crooked length as far as the eye can see
with steamboats, travelling up and down,
putting out clouds Of thick black smoke,
contribute to make a picture not easily
forgotten This City is supplied with water
by two artesian wells, which are bored to
to the depth of GOO feet, 720 feet respec-
lively. The water flows from these wells
continually through 81 inch pipe, into a
stone basin about % feet in diameter, this
water is clear and cold, being slightly i'm.
pregnated with lime. From these basins
can be seen the negroes "toting" water,
generally balancing their load on their
heads. One of these "water toters" a
stalwart negress, excites the envy of her
fellow "toters," by carrying three pals of
water at the same time, one on her head
aud one in each hand. Some ofthe dwell
lings have csterns for rain water but the
supply is principally depended upon from
these wells.
A large number OF the handsome resi-.
dences belong to the old aristocratic fami-
lies of Alabama, and they display consid-
cradle taste and refinement in making the
yards surrounding their dwellings very
attractive. A few of these yards are en-
,,ompassed by high wall with broken
glass securely fastened on the top, by being
partially EMBEDDED in cement, making it q
dangerous undertaking for any one to at
Gempt to climb over, but the majority have
a neat iron railing that will permit strang
ers to view the floral display contained in
these yards. The grounds generally are
bout half an acre, with broad gravel walks
With a border of Enthusiastically trimmed box
md evergreens, whilst the Grape Myrtle
md Olcander tastefully arranged through
he yards and with the Jassamine, and
Magnolia, fill the air with their fragrant
breath. I consider it would be exceeding
~ doubtful, if the best botanical writer
could convey an idea Of the beauties of
some of tho numerous tropical plants,
which are in such profusion here, they
must be seen to be appreciated, as no ade-
luate description could paint their gro
esque shapes, and variegated foliage to
he minds eye.
Walking to the cemetery we find it in a
lilapidated condition, containing but few
'whitened sepulchres," a numbe. of the
graves being overgrown with weeds, and
he tablets requiring renovating. Old Nor
Employment here to keep him busy for a
long time, and his donkey could get enough
histle to satisfy his hunger without stroll
ing very far from his owner.
At the hotel are a number of commercial
ravelers, perhaps better known by the
name of drummers, from the North, en-
leavoring to sell merchandise by samples,
ut they are very much discouraged, for
business is dull and the merchants have a
omplete stock, or as they express it are
full up" 1t is a vexed, and unsettled
question with number of wholesale mer-
chants whether drumming pays in the
South, and if it were not for the heavy
profits charged, it would be decided in the
negative. The expenses of commercial
traveller are heavy, and if he does not af-
,ect sales sufficiently large to insure those
expenses, it necessarily follows that his
Employer loses money by the operation
\ large number of the hotels south would
De compelled to close, if it was not for
these commercial travellers, and % mine
host" is we'll aware of this fact, conse-
luently he pays every attention to the
RUNNER, giving him the best room, and
having the servants pay particular atten-
tion to his bell, and particular attention to
him at his meals. Hotel proprietors know
:ull well that this class of men travel
everywhere and a word will go long way
towards influencing custom either for, or
against his hotel. and as the drummer is
generally "haie fellow well met - he is
frequently recklessly extravagant, these
facts have been recognized by some north
ern energetic hotel proprietors, who make a
deduction on the bills for drummcrs.
Last evening I had the curiosity to hear
IN eccentric colored preacher by the name
IF Messenger. His sermon was delivered in
the usual dialect of the Southern negro,
and he proved by very forcible logic, to the
satisfaction of lis "bruddern - and i" sis
tern" their right to place in Heaven by
saying, When you go to de butches to
puy mutton you don't ask if dis sheep had
black acool or if his wool was white, but if
it is good mutton you take it, and so tiz
wild US. De Lord don't inquire if our pooy
,cas blacA but if we is good, dats all.''
GRAY BEARD.
For The Cecil Wing.
Although I cannot endorse all that has
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