Litchfield enquirer., 1877-03-29
correspondence.

!. Corgespondenc@ a41 lts.4a . ssssaaa gg ass slA-T--7. Issoayfass. s~-- id ssHRGPToN. Va, Mar. 17th. 1877. MR EDrToR.-It is St. Patrick's in the evening. It has been showing mixed with rain, all the afternoon, and now we have as mnch snow on the ground as we have had at any time this winter, nearly an inch and half deep. We have not had snow storm before since the first of January, and it is really great surprise to see it so late in the season. The wealth. CT for the past month or more has been quite warm and agreeable; peas. were planted on the place on the 14th of Feb ruary, potatoes on the 1st of March, and since the latter date, onions and other crops have been put into the ground. The trees are leaving out; the grass (what there is of iD is green; and wild flowers, snch, as the trailing arbntus, towering quinee, and several others with which U am not familiar. arc in blossom. All101 which. taken together with inc singing of the wild birds, give us the impression that spring had opened in good earnest; but St. Patricks snow storm, with it's at- tendant "hyperborean gusts. !" has dispel- led the illusion, and tonight we gather around the blazing hearth coal stove, ! should have said. well pleased with it's genial warmth. Aa fs
 VISIT FROM THE VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE,
 On Wednesday, Feb. 21st, the school was visited by the members of the Virgin ia Legislature. Speeches were made by the chairmen of the Senate and House committees, by seyersl other members of both Houses, and by Mir. Robert Smith, the only >colored representative. Tie tenor of the speeches was just and plaus- ible. and ii they were to practice what they preach there would undoubtedly be-. gin an era of good-feeling. But from their general bearing it is plain to be seen that there is about as much preiu- dice against the colored race in Virginia as there ever has been. The Soldiers Home band discoursed fine music for the occasion, and everything (to all outward appearance) passed off we'll. After the conclusion of the speeches the band play ed ''In the sweet by and by. and the par. ty broke up, some Of them being very ''tired." ! r.
 ST. JoHS's CHURCH. st.e
 Near the center of the village of Hamp- ton, is an inclosure embracing about ten acres of land which constitutes the church yard. stands St. Johns Episcopal church, one of the oldest churches in the United States. Built in 1918. of wood, it was torn down and rebuilt of brick in 1861, the brick used in it's construction being brought from England. During the war of 1872 it was burned, and rebuilt. Also during the late rebellion 1t was again de. stroyed by fire, the brick walls alone be- ing left standing. Since that time it has again been rebuilt as iknow stands. The entrance of the church yard is from the main street through an arched iron gate, way, an alley leading up to the front door of the church. on each side of which are the graves and monuments of its found. CTS. The church is cruciform in shape, as are many of the buildings here. Enter ing the front door and passing up the main aisle, one is agreeably surprised with the air of chaste neetness which the interior presents, for the exterior is rough and ugly. The main aisle passes directly through the main part of the building, with an outside door at each end, the aisle of the west wing crossing it in the center The walls inside are cemented and frescoed so as to resemble large square stones, the ground work being white. Twelve arched windows with grained glass, and four circular ones with prettily stained glass, furnish light in the day time. while three chandeliers give light for the evening service.
 In the east wing araslocated the chan. eel, and the platform on which stand the reading desk, baptismal font, and sermon desk. Tie chancel is tastefully adorned with a communion table over which is spread a. cloth of crimson and gold, with chairs:on each side of it sand over ii on a portion of the wall which is encased in the form of an arch, are painted, in, black letters, the ten commandments. In front of the chancel railing is, spread crimson kneeling cushion. which forms . very pretty contrast with the platform carpet.
 On the right of the platform is the reading desk, of small dimensions and modern make: on which are carefully ar- ranged the large Bible, hymn book and
 prayer book. Onthe left of the platform is the sermon desk large enough to lay the sermon upon without hiding the speaker-so that every movement or ges- ture can be seen by the congregation thus adding to the effect of the discourse. In the ecentsr of the platform. a trife in front of reading and sermon desks, stands the baptismal font which is made of. white marble ith black base. fs
 Opening from the left of the chancel is door leading into the vestry, from which another door opens into the chur,h yard. The floors, with the exception oi the aisles, platform and chancel, are moi carpeted. The seats are stained q sort oi light. blackeWalnut color. and with few exceptions, are not cushioned. There is small gallery, at the termination of the veat wing; the whole church is capable ol seating about three hundred persons. A melodeon furnishes the music, and the church is heated by single large sized coal stovessin the center.
 In the old, dilapidated church yard