The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1877-04-20
GLIMPsES OF SOUTHERN TRAVEL.

Looking out of the window, rather
dull sky, some wholesale stores, and the
remains of half-burnt building being
my extent Of vision, I turn my eyes
within upon my fine mirrors and gor-
geously canopied bed. The immense
size of my room, with its fourteen feet
ceiling, is something of a contrast to
the eight foot ten accommodations in
my last abiding-place. Still, the want
of cleanliness counterbalances all. My
lace curtains, though handsome and
topped with crimson damask and gilded
cornices, look as if fpurity were virtue to
them unknown, and my carpet, though
Brussels, surely has seldom, if ever,
made the acquaintance of broom, and
the condition of the CRATE is beyond de-
scription's powers.
The Southern cities are so far, far
from pretty, and are so dreadfully dirty;
and it seems odd how little the people
care here for location. It matters not
where they build their homes, what is
in front or beside them, a stable or a
grocery; and the untidiness, the want
of repairs, and, above all, the want of
paint, is really pitiful to see.
k and 1 took a short walk this
morning, and returned quite tired, for
it is here like our cool days in June,
and having been fearful of too soon
casting off our winter apparel, it
wearied US with its weight. We saw
but little of interest-an Artesian well,
around which were gathered some little
urchins and an old, old man, but from
neither could we gain any Information.
Decrepit age and infancy could only
teach us that the beginning and close OF
existence cared little for the depth of a
well, but without thought drank of its
pure waters.
Passing an ancient Episcopal Church,
we entered, and seating ourselves in one
of the pews, saw how completely lost
could the occupants be to their neigh
bors; for the sides and backs of the pews
were so high that one could be entirely
excluded from the observation of all but
the pastor, who, from his very high
pulpit, perched in the center of the
aisle, could look down on each member
of his little flock. In the graveyard
were a number of very antiquated tomb
stones, some dating back to sixteer
hundred, and among the many graves
were lovely flowers blooming, roses anC
verbenas, in their bright hues, trying
to shield the tracks of time.
In the markets sasparagus and strawber
ries were tantalizingly displayed, too ex
pensive luxuries, they tell US, for tn
table dhOte of Southern hotels. And tn
beautiful vines clambering over tree
and arbors, and the orange trees ladenec
with their golden fruit, gave US I
glimpse of what must be the beauty of
cline, luxuriating in perpetual summer
Starting this afternoon, in hopes of (
, lovely drive, we had just passed thr
, beautiful battery, with Forts Moultri,
J and Sumpter in the distance, and hat
, seen some of the fine mansions will
their two-storied balconies, where re
, sided many of the F. F.'s of South Car
J olina, when a sudden storm overtakinI
/ US, we in haste closed the curtains 0
} our open carriage and hurried back t.
: shelter, feeling disappointed, but gla
to know that even in that short driv
! we had seen the battery, Charleston
= greatest charm.
] Tomorrow we are looking forward t
= very uncomfortable days jOurne
from here to Savannah, for it is said th
road is bad and the country throug
which we are to pass uninteresting.