Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-12-08
MEMPHIS.


What an Intelligent and Observing
Stranger Thinks Of Our Fair
City.
Capt. Manning, of the Roanoke News,
published at Widen, N. G. has been
visiting our city, and writes back to his
journal such good things of Memphis,
as should put our home croakers and
Cassaudras to the blush. Capt. Man
ming has travelled over Europe and knows
whereof he writes:
DEAR NEws-At first sight | was
struck with the cleanliness, beauty and
evident thrift of Memphis and stayed
there two days to do" the.city thorough
ly. 1t claims, and doubtless justly,
sixty'fve thousand inhabitants. Not
wlthstanding the inroads which that ter
rible scourge-yellow fever, made on its
population and interests not vestige Of
its effects are to be seen, and business, in
all ltsphases, goes on as if nothing had
occurred to mar it in any degree. To
say that Memphis is a live" place
would not half express or convey an idea
OF the enterprise, industry and activity
OF its people Immediately on the father
OF rivers, 10 direct and easy communi'
cation, by rail and water, with the prin-
cipal cities of the Union; surrounded by
fertile lands, its commercial and social
Importance is apparent at a glance, and
to be known is but to be appreciated.
Manufacturing is carried on to some ex-
tent but much the most important fea.
ture of its business is the sale and ship
ment Of produce, though the drygoods and
other dealers do very lucrative jobbing
trade. In proportion to its population
there are probably more bar-rooms and
restaurants there than in any other city
in the United States, with, may be, the
exception ofNew Orleans and St. Louis.
Yet, with all this, there is nothing SAVIOR
ing of general immortality and compare.
lively little drunkenness. One thing
noticeable is the fact that many of the
saloon keepers occupy some of the most
prominent and conspicuous buildings on
the main thoroughfares. Whether the
success of the business justifes it, or
contempt for anything like concealment
prompts it | will not attempt to say.
At any rate all seem to flourish and to
known nothing like restraint. The
people partake of the activity and
vivacity seen in more northern ATTITUDES
and show nothing of the slothfulness and
Incidence which is too often the charae-
teristic of those living in hot climate.
l found them clever, scrupulously polite,
and almost painstakingly obliging, and
never too engrossed in business to give
stranger or friend civil word, genial
smile and a warm welcome. The ladies',
God bless them, petite, laughing little
nymphs, present pure type of southern
beauty. Lythe, we'll formed, graceful,
polite and polished, they make oRe~fell
as if he could stand an age and view
their joyous young faces and sparkling
eyes and hear their merry laughter and
artless prattle. The churches, hotels
and otEer important buildings, in size,
style and beauty of finish would do
credit to any city, while the parks and
cemeteries are fully worthy of the noble
people who planned and perfected them.
All in all Memphis presents as many, or
more, attractions, and as few disadvant-
ages to the pleasure-seeker or business
man as any city in the South. Certain
it is that, to the temporary sojourner, it
affords many pleasures and with per
manent resident it would doubtless grow
in favor daily.