Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1875-07-10
Palmetto Leaves.
From an Occasional C0rre,pondent.)


The City by the Sea can, think, boast Of
as beautiful environs as any place in the Uni
ted States. The Drayton Estate on Ashly
River is an immense tract OF once cultivated
land. and abounds in varied features of forest
glade, silvery stream and far stretching mea-
dow. The property belonged to Rev. Jos. q.
Drayton, an Episcopal minister, but was of
course confiscated during the war, but although
no longer cared for, il yet holds its own for
beauty of scenery, and the Northern tourist who
finds himself down here, if he has an eye for
the weirdly beautiful, let him visit Drayton
Hall,-as the place is called. But by far the
prettiest spot around Charleston is Magnolia
Cemetery located north of the city, little off
from the plank road. This Garden of The
Dead is Land out in fine drives and paths, and
shaded by an infinite variety Of trees-the oak
predominating, whence depends in bUuntiful
profusion the Southern grey moss. This
species Of grass is quite ornamental IN its
character, and gives pleasing appearance to
whatever it festoons,-be it trees, flower vases,
cages or what not Magnolia Cemetery con-
tains many fine monuments OF delicate execu-
ton and fine finish. Admittance is had only
by card. to be obtained from lOt-owners. The
RANK iNOAu, iLSlllpuGN dOONCs commences 80
the head of Line street and runs in North
orth- East direction from the city for some
twelve miles. Its side is bordered by the
tracks of the S. c. r. R and woe to any loose
driven vehicle il its driver meets train I'M
prepared Aud somehow, these odious steam
cars manage to creep up on you so quietly, and
then emerge, as from cloud, with all their
laundering noise. Your correspondent knows
whereof he speaks when he advises the stran-
GER. riding out on Charlestons Plank Road, to
! keep steady hand on the rein, otherwise,
while he be couversng with companion, he
will hear " all oy suddin' one short Screech,
the iron horse, snorting and putting its hard
| est, will be upon him-and--.
| The Confederate Home is the name Of an in
sttution here, in which reside, free Of charge
the destitute orphans of deceased Confederate
soldiers. should have said female orphans
BOYS are not admitted. South Carolina Is a
chivaric old State. Though stepped in pow
erty she can afford to support, unaided, her
dependent daughters, but her sons must shift
for themselves. This Home is supported by
! contributions Of Charlestonians and CarolinianS,
generally, and the young lady inmates also do
! light sewing and ether work behttng such
fairy hands These fair wards Of a Lost Cause
are always attired in gray suits, and when
outside the gray walls of their only home, are
always found walking together in ranks, at
! tended by one of their matrons.
The street-car lines in Charleston are three in
number, viz: King street line, Rutledge Ave
nue. line, and the Enterprise East Bay route J
| The latter traverSeS our commercial thorough
| fare its entire length, commencing at the Bat
! terry and passing up to the head of East Bay
where it connects with lighter rail coach to
Magnolia. The fare on most Of these lines Is
! ten cents.
Charleston has but one market, but it is in
deed fine one 1t occupies three long squares,
running through iu one straight line from
Meeting street 20 East Bay Its west-end-
| Meeting street-consists of a Market Hall built
of brick under which begins the market which
! is composed of well built and firmly rooted
sheds which are always kept scrupulously
clean. Besides being entirely washed out each
morning, the aid of certain species Of carrion
eating buzzard is called into requisition. This
bird is a most repusive object, black as-well,
! as sin, and suggests to me what Poe'S ebony
bird" and "guant ungainly fowl must have
looked like. The stalls, divided into the va
rious departments, are always well supplied
with fruits, vegetables, etc.
There are two distinguished gentlemen resi-
dent here whose acquaintance have had the
pleasure of making. One is Mr.. c. Herbert
! Sin other words, Barton Gray whose
exquisite love songs have made Applct0H'S
Journal quite popular among the ladies. The
other is Mr.. Samuel Y. Upper an elderly and
courtly gentleman Of the old school whose un-
Gle is the celebrated Martin Farquhar Upper,
of Christ Church, Oxford, England. All your
readers are of course familiar with that &" Col
den Collection, "-Proverbial Philosophy.
j. S.