New-York tribune., 1872-07-03
oUICKSTEP PARK RACES.
TWO VIRGINIA CITIES.


CoMMUNITY-0LD MANSIONS AND THEIR ocCU-
PANTS, '"
| IRON The SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
NORFOLK, Va, June 25.-TOo much enter
prise is not thf failing of the people OF Norfolk The
place has drowsy look and seems 20 be always dream
ing the prosperity that IL hopes to realize
but never achieves 1t has the hafmelancholy air. not
OF town that has better days. but Of one that thinks
it ouehto see better days. The people always talk
ing of tie advantages of he place and wondering why
capiS and population do not pour in, and why the com
meyc,e of the world does not come 10 their wharves
They have always believed like their fathers and grand
fathers before them that Norfolk had the best situation
America for great commercial city, and they obvious
E think that they have been wronged 10y fate or the laws
of trade by other power beyond their control
when they that the censustaker will not find even
10000 inhabitants within their borders.
Nevertheless the town appearance OF COM
Portable and stable II limited prosperity The stores
large and well filed with goods, although only thin
and intermittent stream Of customers flows to their
counters There is au astonishing number OF fine old
mansion houses in the city, with broad fronts,
wide portals that bespeak hospitality, and handsome
grounds shaded with many beautiful shrubs and trees
unfamiliar TO Northern eyes. They,stand upon narrow,
welpaved streets over which great oaks form arch
ways OF thick dark green foliage The weeds aud grass
that thrive between the pavingstOnes seldom Wis
tul8ed by passing wheel and the great houses show
HE through SuillneI uIll
when the shutters and doors thrown aud people
gather u1er the portcOs. and make and receive the
doorseb visits that peculiar feature Of Southern
social life.
There are 80 mfny Of these fine houses and they give
signs of such free and liberal ways Of living within that
after an hours stroll among them stranger wonders
what the occupants do and how they extract money
enough from the seemingly dull business Of the town ~
live in such and prosperous stvle II he takes
! . "A
larger business than he would imacine that lines of
steamers run to New-YOrk Boston, Baltimore Washing
tOn Richmond and through the Dismal Swamp Canal to
the Albemarle Sound region; that there Is semi
monthly line TO Liverpool direct tnat thriving busi-
done in oysterpacking, and in supplying North
ern cities with early vegetables and fruits and that there
is considerable trade in dry goods groceries, and far
mers' tools and supplies In short for town OF less
than 10000 inhabitants, Norfolk may be said TO enjoy
very comfortable degree OF prosperity, and II fortunes
slowly made here, they are dorDtlCsS securely kept
when made.
HAMPTON AS A SUMMER RESORT.
70 me Editor Of The TrtbRhe'
Crp HamptOn is situated on an inlet or arm
., tho celebrated Hampton Roads or bay about fW9
miles west Of Fortress Monroe and is the county se of
Elizabeth City County, with population q lew hund
reds the majority OF whom are cclcret Most Of them
were formerly slaves and have settled here during and
since the late war They largely engaged in fishing
adjacent bay and inlets furnish ample facilities. The
country iu the vicinity suffered severely during the war
and society became what demoralized but there
are signs OF recuperation Many settlers coming
in extensive improvements are In progress ana with
the unrivaled facilities for commerce. health, and con-
veuence OF access afforded by the bay and rivers rbu
tary thereto there is why this vicinity should
not advance rapidly in population, wealth. and import
apce Fortress Monroe appears TO be in good order and
repsir and is being extended and improved with i'm
portant additions and the mounting of additional guns
II is garrisoned 10y companies of regular artillery,
under the command OF Col Barry, who also
il In command OF the artillery school at this point for
the instruction Of artillery officers OF the regular army
There are at present some 40 officers attached TO the
school who practice almost daily with the heavy guns
attached 10 the fortress. fine new and large addition
mas been recently made 10 the old Hygea Hotel at the
Point with all the modern improvements, ana capable
of accommodating several hundred guests Ample
facilities are provided for salt water bathing boating
fsnng &C. and certainly those wishing few weeks
recreation hardly ud agreeable and accessible
place which To ENJOY IT, The hotel Is only Few rods
from the fortress the fine band of the fortress per-
forming every evening adds much 10 the attractions OF
tne Point About miles west of the fortress the
ample buildings and grounds of the National Military
Asylum southern branch few rods west OF the
asylum is stuated large and OuTishing agricultural
and normal school for coOred students, large number
of whom are preparing for under the instruc
ton of an able corps OF teachers C.
Hampton, T0.,June q, 1872