Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-01-30
.,.xa. Gazette a. Virginia Advertise
NINETY YEARS AGO!
TFrom the Richmond Wing.

From the hlchmbno w u!s.
An old book has been presented to the State
library, full of reading most interesting to llr
o;n;ans Il is entitled, "A Tour 10 the United
States of America. B: j. T. D. Smyth, esq.
The book was printed by subscription 10 Lon
dou in 1854, and Virginia seems to have been
the only State which IN any way pleased the
fastidious author His style is quaint and
amusing one, and his auslons TO the late un-
happy war are pathetic IN the extreme. ln
his Introduction he urges that tine sword OF
war is now returned to It's scabbard, and
the beneficial arts of peace may be safe y
and adyautageously cultivated, and that 1t
is time to close the breach between the two
countries.
THE ''MUSKETOE.
When he first came in sight of the land oil
the Old Dominion he was greeted by great
numbers Of musketoeS, very noxious d.,
which seems to be OF the species OF guats, but
larger and more poisonous, leaving hard
tumor wherever they bite, with an lntolcrablc
and painful itching; they penetrate the skin, I'LL
themselves with blood, aid make their pr!ncl-
pal attacks 10 the night, accompanied by small
shr diSagreeable note, the very sound OF
which efeetually prevents you from sleep after
you have been once bit.
VIRGINIA RACES.
The first thing upon which he comments is the
races at Williamsburg. These, he says, take
place twice year, that ls every spring aud
fall, or autumn. Adjoining to the town is
very excellent course for either two, three, or
four mile heats These purses are geue.a ally
raised by subscription. B.sldes these at WI
amsburg there are races established annually,
almost at every town aud considerable place 10
Virginia. and frequent matches on which
large sums of mouey depend, the Inhabitants,
almost to map, being quite devoted TO the
diversioa of horse-raclng. Very capital horses
are started here, such as would make no des
picabe figure at Newmarket, nor in their
speed, bottom or blood Interior to their appear
ance-the gentlemen of Virginia sparlng no
pains, trouble or expence iu importing the best
stock, aud improving the excellence OF the
breed by proper and judicous crossing.
THE MUSIC OF THE FROG.
In Virginia the author saw much to excite
his curiosity aud astoniShmcnt. lie Cotlces
with awe "the prodisiouS multitude Of green
frogs, reptiles, and large insects 10 the trees
as well as the bull frogs in the swamps ponds
and places OF water during the spring, SUN
mer and fall. They NIKE an incessant noise
and clamor, the bull frogs in particular emit
ting most tremendous roar, louder than
the believing Of bull, from the similarity
of whose voice they obtain their name, but
their note is harsh sonorous aud abrupt, trc
queutly appearing to pronounce artculate
sounds in striking resemblance to the following
words: Hpgshead tobacco, knee deep, ankle
deep, deeper aud deeper, Piankitank, and
many others but all equally grating and dis
sonant"
THE NEGRO.
The "African slave" attracts this rambling
Euglishman 5 attention. He says: "At least
two-thrds of the inhabitants are negroes,
whose difference Of features and color, aud
rank, offensive smell, are extremely disagree
able and disgustlul TO Europeans but poor
creatures, they are all humility and submission,
and it is the greatest pleasure OF their lives
when they can please the whites. Ii is fortu
nate for humanity that these poor characters
possess such fund uf contentmeut aud resg
nation in their minds for they indeed seem to
be the happicst inhabitants 10 America
HOW OUR ANCESTORS LIVED.
Our erratic 500 of Albion next gives US a
description of the manner in which the Nir
ginians passed their time. THE gentleman of
fortune he says, IRIS. s about 9 oclock he,
perhaps may make an excursion to walk as
far as his stables to see his horses. He re-
turns to breakfast, between 9 and 10, which is
generally tea or cotfee, bread aud butter, and
very thin slices OF venison-ham. or huog beef.
He then lies down on paIlat, on the floor in
the coolest room In the house. in his SHIRT and
trowsers only with negro at his head and
another at his feet, to fan him and keep of
the flies. Between II aud he takes draught
OF bombo, or toddy, liquor composed
OF water, sugar, rum and nutmeg, which
is made weak (the author is certainly mis-
taken here,) and kl to cool. He dues be-
tween two and three, aud 90 every table, what
ever else there may be, ham and green's or
cabbage is always standing dish; at dinner he
drinks cyder, toddy, puuch, port, claret aud
madeira, which is generally excellent here.
Having drunk some few glasses of wine after
dinner, he returns to his paat, with his TWO
blacks to fan him, and continues to drink tod
dy or sangaree all the atternoou.'
The lower, and many of the middIing class.
es, the author states, live differently. "A man
in this line rises in the morning about o'clock.
He then drinks julap made Of rum, water
aud sugar. but very strong. Then he walks,
or generally rides. around his plantation; views
all bis stock, breakfasts about 10 O'Clock on
cold turkey, cold meat, fried homiuy, toast and
cider, ham, bread aud butter. tea, coffee, or
chocolate"
OTHER MARVELLOUS THINGS.
This traveller was very much astonished at
the black snake OF Virginia, aud relates gen
uine snake story. He says: Il, myself, have
seen them swallow frogs of very large size.
After the frog is almost wholly in, if you strike
the snake, he will instantly dsgorge it, aud
the frog will leap away"
ENHTNH CH0RE