The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-10-09
m prav Make TTs Some Maps.


We want very much some legible useful
maps Of the very badly goyened country
we inhabrt. we trust no other country Is
yexed with such miserable daubs as the mis-.
named maps Of the United states and the
several States which disgrace the walls OF
Offices and counting-roons OF the country.
The art of map-making would almost seem
to be a lost art. We have in our office an
old atlas, made originally under the direc-
ton Of JOHN PNKERToS, author OF the
ttModern Geography" that was introduced
into schools, we believe, just after Mo RsE' s
This beautiful series OF maps WAS first
printed in London, under the patronage OF
the first noblemen Of the kingdom. 1t was
reproduced in this country by THOMAS DOB
SON & Son, at ssthe stone house No. Al south
Second street. Philadelphia: WILLIAM FRY,
printer" We see that it was reprinted
from the London plates. WILLIAM FRY
the printer was the founder OF the IA
nous National Gazette, of Philadelphia;
a paper Of great fame in its day as mode
Of propriety, good taste, choice literature
intelligence, and ability. ROBERT WALSH
one of the most. accomplished literary men
this country has ever produced, was ;1of
some time its editor and added greatly to It's
reputation. Mr.. WALSH will be remem-
bered by many gentlemen now advanced IN
wears as the writer OF charming letters from
Paris to that golden sheet the National IN
teltioencer, But these facts arc merely COL
lateral to our subject.
This Pinkerton Atlas, as work OF art, Is
altogether superior to anything IN It's line
that has been produced since its day. It's
names, and boundaries, and rivers are ad-
mirably distinct-indeed beautifully done.
Its lines are sharply defined, and its coloring
is perfection marking boundaries faith
fully and delcately, nowhere rendering
name. river, or mountain in the slightest de-
gree indistinct. Aliases and maps we have
had in great number; but noted indeed, for
their indefinite, indistinct, and bleared ana
blotted features. The lines and names are
smutched; the coIoring is bat daubing with
deepest paint, so that nothing can be de-
ciphered that is covered by it. Further
more, maps are not gotten up with care.
MANY discoveries and surveys that make I'M
portapt corrections and additions to geo.
graphical knowledge are ftwithout eXaml-
nation in the archives of the Government,
and the maps with errors that might thus be
corrected are sent forth as guides for the
public. Such guides! ,...,......
In considering this very serious want OF
the times we have often thought that the
Federal Government should publish map
for the public, assessing charge upon 1t
that might pay at least i moiety OF its cost,
and save it from becoming waste paper.
Certainly the present personal government
has spent hundreds OF thousands OF dollars
in printing things that are merely for per-
sonal or party qualification that are OF no
manner of public utility. Such eXpendl-
ture might be made upon what would be OF
great public advantage il devoted to a pro-
per map Of as we have said before, our
badly-goyerned country. The map OF a land
which nature has made so grandly and be-
neficently would be a thing to which one
might turn with pleasant faith from re-
Elections upon the wretched manner in
which it has been abused by base and
scuryy politicians. Such country cannot
be always 50 abused. There is that in its
valleys and mountains, its lovely streams,
and its vast resources that will give it tri-
umph over the vile arts and vicious ways OF
corrupt public leaders. Such land cannot
be long without that sort of political system
which shall combine with force the qualities
Of dignity and justice. The very earth en-
genders the energies and the spirit OF COM
merce which cannot exist prospcrously
without order and without the power and
administrative integrity that are essential
for the existence of order.
So let us have good chart OF the land
which we may always admire, and, we hope,
always love-a map that is c.ear and distinct,
and, as faras possible, accurate. No abomi-
nably smutched and bedaubed alair-.-a tri-
partite war of railroads, names, and colors,
as to which shall do most to make the whole
thing abominably indlstinct. j, d.
The French map-makers are men OF Won
derful skill. Indeed, those Of any civilized
land seem to be better than ours. We
ought to import some capable ones, and il
we can eet rid of the botcherS in no better