Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-01-28

y
would summon the gentleman to whom
Messrs. FoWle and Stevens related the
particular of the transaction as witnesses
on an indictment for unlawful gaming
That will probably be done, but whether
before or after the Legislature has acted
can only be surmised.
An Augusta representative In
Ireland. tl
DESCRIPTION OF VIRGINIA-YOTE OF
THANKS AFTER OLD LANDS
IN AUGUSTA,
&C., &C., &C.
We have received copies Of the Belfast
(Ireland) News" containing severa
column reports of two lectures delivered
there by Mr.. Hugh Stewart, of Staunton
on the Sth and 9th of December. At the
first meeting held in Holyrood, a suburb
of Belfast, the Rev. Henry Henderson, who
had left sick bed to attend, presided as
chairman. and in introducing Mr.. Stuart
said he took great pleasure in the intro
duction, because Mr.. Stewards grand.
father, by his enterprising spirit in promo
ting the interests of Belfast, had stamped
his name on the history of the city. We
copy the following from the ''News:'
Mr.. Stewart, after describing the voyage
across the Atlantic and his arrival at Rich
mond, went on to say The railway from
Richmond led over the Blue Ridge Noun
tains to S.aunton, the queen city Of the
lovely Shenandoah Valley Nothing could
be more beautiful than the prospect on
emerging from the mouth of the railway
tunnel on the valley side Of the mountain
range At our feet lay magnificent ex-
panse of the most fertile and pleasantly
situated lands in the world. In every d.
rection we could see like silver threads the
trackiess streams winding among the noble
woods and grassy plains STAUNTON was
before us in all her lovliness, and dotted
all over the landscape were innumerable
picturesquely situated houses and farm
buildings. Immediately opposite lowered
apparently to the very skies, the timber
clad heights of the lordly Alleghanies.
After describing the geographical position
of Virginia, Mr.. Stuart said-Until the
war Virginia was closed to emigrants, be-
cause the lands were peOpled and the Ia
Dor supplied by slaves. But all is now
changed. 1t is the PROSTATE state of the
country which affords this exceptional OPP
pOrtunity to acquire cultivated lands and
homes at a price that has no parallel in the
history of any country. Prior to the war,
and the growing of crops
were the chief industries and sources of
wealth. The'late fearful and most disas-
trous war, waged for upwards of four years,
left the planters almost destitute.
Mr.. Stewart then proceeded to give a
graphic history of the civil struggle be-
tween the Northern and Southern States,
as well as of the manners, customs, and
laws Of Virginia at the present day. He
went on to say-Nothing can exceed the
beauty of the Virginian woods, especially
towards the latter, or Indian summer. Ev-
cry bright colour imaginable is there to be
seen in the utmost profusion, Bright reds,
rich puppies, golden yellows, aad emerald
greens, intermingled and interviewer, like
gigantic nosegays, and above all the deep
blue sky of the azure heavens. The strange
hues of the birds seem to be in harmony
with the general loneliness. Gorgeously
painted butterflies and innumerable varie-
ties of insects, plants, and flowers are ev-
erywhere to be seen; and if the merry
songs and gatherings Of the birds, the
balmy atmosphere, and the bright sunshine
do not fill out a pleasant picture, the fault
is mine. The mountains of Virginia TEEN
with inexhaustible wealth-coal and iron
in close proximity, easy to be mined, prac
tically inexhaustible in quantity, and con-
venient for transportation. Copper, lead
zinc, &c. abound in vast quantities. The
Shenandoah Valley is. upwards of 1900 feet
above the sea-level, and as Il consequence
the climate is much cooler and pleasanter
than it would otherwise be. The death-rate
and health statistics are much more favor
able than in England, and the dry atmos-
phere very favorable for many forms OF
chest complaints. 1 have frequently seen
chronicled in their newspapers deaths at
perhaps, a hundred years OF more Great
misrepresentation appears to exist as to the
rainfall. have not the figures before me-
but do know that
THE RAINFALL yi.
is not much under that Of England. When
it does rain in Virginia it generally does il
with a vengeance, and Immediately after
wards the sun will break out, and you car
almost perceive the things to grow. The
people are most humorous in their descrip.
tions, particularly in their newspapers.
could perceive in the woods and mountains
of Virginia many plants and flowers which
are cultivated in your gardens-such a.
the crocus, lupinus, lilies. ferns, and 3
multitude of ANIMALS. The woods are full
of many varieties of wild fruits, such al
chestnuts, walnuts, chinquepins, persim
mons, Strawberries, raspberries, blackber
ries, dewberries, grapes, cherries, an(
huckleberries whilst apples, peaches
ounces. tomatoes, cantQlOpes, and water
melons, and ether fruits grow in great pro
fusion. A very large portion of the
EARLY SETTLERS IN'THE VALLEY
originally came from the North of Ireland
and also from Scotland, from which latte
country they fled after the fatal field O
Culloden. Many of those who have settled
in Virginia since the late war are froh
Ireland and since the abolition of pltl
chase in the army, not few from the mil
itary profession Iii England. Some of TIL,
NEST celebrated health resorts in Americ:
are in the neighbourhood of Staunton. TIL,
White Sulphur Springs, at the table O
whose hotel not unfrequently 600 people
will sit down to dine, is close at hand
There are 80 or 40 ether fashionable hotel
and watering places in the mountains sur
rounding Stanton. Mr.. Stewart alst
spoke Of the five ~,
LADIES' COLLEGES
for comforting degrees located in Staunton
of the deer, bears, minxes, &C., in thu
mountains; and Of the excitement attend
ing the election of Governor Kemper las
year. A vote of thanks to the Lecturer
brought the proceedings to close.
The lecture, which occupied upwards o.
an hour and half in delivery. was listened
to with the deepest attention.
Mr.. William Heron moved vote O.
thanks to the lecturer.
nr IohDcfOn cpaOpdpd tho motion, x1,bi oJ
was passed by reclamation.
The Chairman, in conveying the vote OF
thanks, said that he was thoroughly sur
prised at the grasp of the lecture. 1t was
so comprehensive there was scarcely any
thing throughout the whole Virginia that
the lecturer had not touched upon. There
was one thing which they must all fee
thankful to God for, and that was the abo
lition OF slavery.
Mr.. Stewart briefly returned thanks.
REV. MIR. GREEN.
The Chairman said he would take this
opportunity of saying that he was greatly