Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1875-11-06
Notes from Dixie.

Though far removed from the Nations Capital
where, every Winter, carnival of gayetyi is wont
to reign, we doubt if this city can be regarded as
dull and uninvting during the " Season for
we have a Season, too, down here, it should be
remembered; and while Congress, and lobbyists,
and state dinners and receptions and theatres and
the general train of the legislative body reigns
supreme in the City of Magnificent Distances, tae
City by the Sea can boast of as happy period
Though with only one theatre The Academy of
Music, its boards are occupied every night of ev-
cry week during the long winter months, and
King street with its splendid stores and throngs
of shoppers can show the stranger picture as
lively and exciting as any he would wish to see
farther North As the 81 ad time of Christina
approaches this spirited scene enlarges; the man
agement of the Academy puts forward his most
brilliant stars-and with all this genuine pleasure
we can shake our heads defantly at our northern
rivals and babe them do their best to exceed US in
winter amusement.
But it is on another, though kindred subjects
that we meant to write,-fOr the traveller must
know beforehand into whose keeping he should
render up himself and chattels while " doing =
II is we believe one of the cardinal principles OF
masculine human nature to take care of No. l, and
however strong feature tbisprineiple may form
in the aforesaid masculine's home life, it derives
yet greater power when the M, before mentioned,
is en- rOyage. or, in plain terms when he is knock
ing around the country. In profering the fol-
lowing bit of advice, then, we have at heart the
travellers interest.
The chance tourist who may find himself at any
time in the City by the Sea will best consult his
own personal comfort by stopping at the Charles
ton Hotel during his sojourn here In saying
this we speak advisedly and from a most pleasant
| experience. The house mentioned was built
the main portion-in 1910, and enlarged in 1853
or T. Owing to its early establishment, it has
! Of course passed through many managing hands.
| +. II. Jackson d Co., the present owners, as
sumed control some years back. The hotel has
l72 sleeping rooms, besides private parlors, sit
ting rooms, etc. The dining hall is long apart
ment, well lighted and capable of seating about
| three hundred famishcd souls. The Charleston
has some admirable features which readily COM
mend it to the travelling public. Although G.
rected and enlarged al such early dates it cannot
| atal be classed as an old-fashioned house. On
the contrary, its management has introduced sew
/ eral modern ideas in the conduct of the hotel
which have made Of it one Of the times. In the
dining hall we find an army of attentive walters,
thoroughly drilled in their duties and possessing,
each. a memory-in the matter of ordered dishes
which far eclipses the article ascribed to the
I proverbial oldest inhabitaut You may select
| from the daily sumptuous bill of fare most CON-
plicaed list of viands, orally given, and rest as
! sured of each and every dish ordered being laid
before you in a short space of time. And this one
feature of the Charleston is not to be lightly
priced for it is not of every hotel that the same
can be said as we ourself can testify. The
Charleston, we should have said before is built in
the shape of a square, and fronts on Meeting
street, its gable ends resting on Hayne and Pinck
ney streets. The front has two long porchcs, (or
piazzas as it is proper to call them here, one on
! the ground floor and an upper one-intended es-
pecially for lady guests. Both are quite wide, and
! stonepaved; the upper one is largely used for
promenade and dancing purposes-the climate
! seldom forbdding such amusements, and even
we're it to turn cold on a gala night, the piazza
| can be well covered in with canvass. The hotel
| desk is presided over by Messrs. Lee, Buttetdeld
| and Anderson. The fos ner. Mr.. J. Watkins Lee,
is Yirgnan by birth aud is quite an agreeable
! gentleman; always ready 10 anticipate the guests
slightest wish. He is the book keeper Of the
house Mr. Rutterfeid is most courteous and
graceful in his attention to guests and bis pleas
ing, winning manner obtains for him the liAeing