The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-08-31
LETTER FROM THE SOUTH.
ATLANTIC HOTEL.

H>oHfoLh, Va, Aug, ~, 1917.
DEAR WHICH, omitted to state in my
former letter the fact of this city being in
possession of passenger horse cars. The
cars being new, handsome, and commo-
dlous; but the motive power old, dilapi-
dated, and somewhat crippled, and if in n
hurry it would be advisable to walk in
preference to waiting for one of these con-
veyances. 1t would be superfuous for me
to volunteer any information in regard to
the oyster trade of the Chesapeake, as
both quantity and quality are too familiar
to require repetition. The markets abound
now with fish, among which are blue fish,
salt water trout, Sleeps head, hog fish,
spots and mullets; and in season are to be
found quantities of game, such as wild
turkeys, wild geese, canvass back ducks,
pheasants, cartridges, &C.; certainly these
contribute to make Norfolk a delightful
place of residence for an epicure, or should
these not be sufficient to tempt his appe-
tilo, ho odu nave std tuIticsy tCAi"PAaS'
crabs, &c.
My friend and myself concluded to see
the vicinity of Norfolk, and for this pur-
pose, ordered from the livery stable horse
and buggy. We are informed the name of
our nag is Napoleon. My companion sug-
gests that the best description l could give
of our boss, would be to give the name in
full, and call him Bonaparte; in fact, if
that horse should come North he would
Immediately become the property of some
energetic'gentleman and be stood, (for he is
guaranteed to stand without hitching) in
the passage as an animated hat rack. The
harness and buggy were almost as good as
the horse.
The land is of loose, rich, sandy ma
ture, and peculiarly adapted for trucking.
We passed through acres of strawberry,
blackberry, watermelon, and cantaloupe
beds; whilst corn, beans, potatoes, tomatoes,
egg plants, &C., are cultivated ad ihfn't'tna.
At this time the farmers are busy dig
eing their sweet potatoes, which like all
the other crops of truck this year, are very
fine. Interspersed through these farms are
small lots of tobacco, as the farmer raises
this article only in sufficient quantities for
his own use. The abundant yield of vege-
tables has very much depressed the price;
especially is this the case with white pota-
toes, as the average price has been only %
cents per bushel net. Continuing our ride
through truck farms and pine woods, we
arrived at Sewells point, where is erected
the new hotel, called We de L'eau view
Of the water;) this building completed a
couple of months since, at cost OF $50, 900,
;s very imposing in appearance, and it is
tbe intention Of the proprietors to make
,b;s fashionable summer resort; perhaps
whom they succeed in getting more shade
around the house, and when they can per-
shade old Neptune to make himselfa swell
here and give them some surf for bathing,
their foudest hopes may possibly be realiz-
.d number of persons who have been
confined in the heat and dust of Norfolk, out
come here by steamboat in the afternoon and
rotrrp the same.evening. Opposite is Old
no;,t Comfort upon which is erected Fort
.oss Monroe, the largest fort l believe in
IL. United States; here also is erected the
new Hygea Hotel, another fashionable re-
SORT and presents very hanpsome APP
.rorce The old Hygea Hotel was torn
dawn during the war, as it prevented the
..;ow from the fort into the country. Be-
tween Fortress Monroe and Sewell's Point,
49,, the famous Rip Raps, another fortifica-
.:,n hu;It on an immense pile of stones,
nd like Fort Carroll in an unfinished con-
d;t;on. This place was noted fashiona-
lila resort during the war for confederate
~, tho road at dusk can be seen hun
,1. If co]ored men, women and children,
.at,rn;no home from their daily tasks,
singing laughing and with many jest,
amone themselves they are a "happy,
h.nnv little band with no care Or any
anr;ous thoughts, literally following the
scrintural injunction. "Take no thought
for tomorrow" Take them as class,
.H;nl, the Southern negroes are the hap
'i and most contented people upon the
face of the globe
' Fselins somewhat thirsty after our long
lilo we stoppedat the door of farm house,
and requested glass of milk. The bever-
ans was brought and was squire, rich, and
-, that we asked for more, after which
v we disposed of another in similar man.
W. and thinking we could take just "one
,as , more, - accordingly tended ourrequest
gu o. the same time the money. The
' ,au woman who waited upon us placed
the milk before u.s. remarking at the same
. .n0 81 dinks you shentlemens has never
n ,' veaned' We didn't request any
more ur, milk, but sadly took our departure,
1'o a this evening at the supper table my
,,4most endeavors could not induce my com.
"'l NM 70 take milk with his coffee.
| GRAY BEaRD