Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-11-26

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GeneraI-A GOssipy, sensible Let
ter.
NORTHAMPTON, MASS, Nov. q. 1873.
DEAR LEDGER-So frequently and SO
fally have many portions Of the Soath
and all Southern institutions been writ
| ten up and illustrated in Northern pic
val papers, that 1t ceems to me, merely
retaliatory measure, il for no other
-oo.or we should, as far as possible,
.root Mort Nern places and institutions in
,ho some waN; but. besides the mere
interest If curiosity, which dogbtless
southern neopIe feeii ip regard to North
ern institutions, etc, tHere are oener
reasons why the impressions o. south
orrer in the midst of Yapkee land should
he of interest to his people. Compelled
as we shall be in the course OF time' 70
adaut ourselves entirely to the workings
under the new regime, it will be veil
for us to inform ourselves as fully as
nossible both SO to the political and do
nestic economy of these States which
are still so prosperous, whiis ours oil the
South are foundering in ruin; aad this
shall be my apology, should digress, as
/ probably shall, into homily.
This town of Northampton is one OF
the twenty-segen town Tor cities we
should call them, It having $1,000 peo-
nle) upon which one mSy look down
from the top of Mt. Tom, 9 pelgh-
boring hill. 1t is the typical New Eng
land town, clean, substantially built
having some of the streets entirely
shaded over by areades Of Rue old elms
two hundred years old and ths resi-,
dences. without exception, having wei
kent grounds au9 trees around them, l
know of no place in TIE South having
half 80 many attractions ot the kind,
although we have always arrogated 10
ourselves q taste for such things far ! n
advance OF the "money-grabbing
Yankee.
The people of all this section are gen.
uine Yankees, and like the title. Those
who have not travelled know little Of so.
eiety and customs of other places, and
particularly of the South. Few South
ern people have beenin the towns and
villages Of New England, and am
so,-y il fs 40. They you'd learn much.
y 6nG 40 Southern name reg stored here
s;nce mr own 10 last DecembeF, and
s,'ob ;s tbeir want OF acquaintance with
the south, that bsying aeeIdenItalty
written my first name 90 indisnnct'yT7ls
looks like ''Gen.," am gsining solne
nnmerited eclat as an ex-rebe, Heneira''
7 shalf not uudeeeiye them So tewfiYe
rehels have penetrated this region that
am more or less of a cynosure on thee
street This is not unpleasant Tor. all
reports to the contrary Notwithstanding
there are lots Of pretty girls here, ana
who doesn't like to feel himself tae
gazed-at of pretty girls1
la regard to these same girls, tnlpk
the general Southern impression. (Which.
is errone0us) as to the nnahapeliness Of
their figures and the immensiiy Of their
feet, is owing entirely to their wearing
wrappings necessarily bunglesome -
seal skin aud Astrachan cloaks, and
weariBg, universally, rubbors over their
heavy boots. For thus not being willing
10 sacrifice their comfort and good
health TO their vanity, thiRk they de-
serve mRch credit, and IN that. at least,
I should like our girls TO initiate them.
That such things are necessary nsy
be Inferred from the fact that already
he around is under snow eight inches
Seen. ana sleiehing is splendid. Living
once ou the seaside, ! used to wonder
IoW In The world the people held out so
IN their taste for fish; here ] equally
wonder how they can 50 continue TO en-,
iov sleighiug. There Is not wheeled
vehicle on the streets and the jinghng
of no end Of sleigh bells would make 3
dreaming Msmphian imagine that all
the street cars and milk wagons m town
we're ringing in cenceri pnder his vin-