Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-08-16
A Trip Through Dismal Swamp.

Correspondence of The Alexandria Gazette.
SUFFOLK. Va, Aug. Is, lS77.-The great
secret Of travelling with perfect pleasure aud
thorough content consists in two things. The
first is genial company Of course. Ii is au old
Spanish motto which saith: Better good
comrade 10 the kitchen than poor one in the
parlor." We all know that good wine mixed
with brown sugar is poor drink. The next
requisite isan utter Inconsistencies az when you
will wind w. Any journey comulcrced with
every stopping place marked out like post
route with a turnpike gate every here and there
along tho road, where you pay your fare, and
| keep on to your destination, is meagre enjoy
ment, at the best. You are always looking at
your watch, rcstlessly wondering Why the way
is so long, and anxiously anticipating when
| the journeys end will be reached. In fact you
start in hurry travel in turmoil OF mind and
body, and arrive at your destination With a
sigh of relief.
| But to start for an objective point and take
events as they come to llnger here, to daily
| there, to enjoy scenery, sport, or new made
| friends to 70 as 1t were 10 happy 20 lucky
manner, is the acme of tourist S delight, and
| the way, the only one way, TO appreciate poVey,
nature, the grand or the beautiful, 10 lis fullest
extent.
A trip from Richmond to Norfolk down tbs
classic banks of the "Jeems river, az the Fir
ginians pronounce it, is one of the most delight
ful rides in the State. You glide by many a
historical spot you pass Fort Darling, or Drn-
rvs Bluff, where, in the spring OF g. the
plunging fire OF The hastily erected batteries,
sunk the Keokuk and Gananiatuck, Two OF the
finest gun boats in the Federal fleet. Proceeding
EDWARDS, the steamer slowly makes her way
through Dutch Gap, where Butler used to make
the Confederate prisoners work day and nigh 50
as 10 protect himself from the rebel fire, which
kept the blue Goals diving under water, like 30
many otter. Here is jamestown, the history
Of which every schooboy knows by heart, and
one cannot help thinking CT how John Smith
felt as be started up the beautiful river, with
the shores lined with an unknown race, that
looked up to him as a God. To Smith, with
his educated tastes, and romantic mind, II
must have been Variable enchanted land, the
in all it's perfection.
Next the steamer stops slowly at the whari
of Old Point Comfort, which is touched with
a golden hue by the beams Of the early sun, who.
rising from bis nightly rest, peeps brightly along
the level water of the bay, and paints the grave,
sad looking swes and waves rich orient
hue. Some early risors are bathing in tho surf,
and roll on the beach like upgainly porpoiscs
on The breakers.
The season at Old Point Comfort Is ut close
now. 1t has been an exceptionally good one.
The hotel was SO crowded that it Vas compelled
to refuse to take more guests, 4 r:eGadeut that
more OF the mountain watering places 10 Viz.
iginia would like to follow.
| Norfolk is all unchanged, being Ike Aezan
dria at this season of tho year. dcsolale aad
dull Everybody who could get away has left,
and until September briggs mitigation Of the
heat, it will be Goldsmith deserted village on
large scale. Ooe popularity Of this aucient
| city every stranger notices; The mcn are much
superior to the women, and they generally mar,
ry elsewhere. The finest lot of men ever met
are located here genial, whole souIed and
hospitable one comes with reluctance, but
leaves them with unfeigued regret. To have q
steam yacht house and dozen male friends
here would make any man happy.
| From Norfolk 10 Suffolk is pleasant ride by
rail Of an hour. This village is moderately
er pretty or picturesque. The houses instead
on the streets, which gives them hard insight
ly look. The thoroughtarcs arc level aud iucly
graded with oyster shells. The business outlook
Of the place is good, aud all the stores seem TO
DO carrying on prosperous business.
From Suffolk to the Dismal Swamp is twelve
miles, which is reached by the canal. start
to-day and will send you full description Of the
great Dismal, If the bears, snakes aud mos1ui.
toes don't devour me-. They say about here
that whiskey is the only antidote for snakes if
[ am bitten will certainly try the remedy.
Your correspondent is much Indebted to Mr..
Hubbaway, editor Of The Suffolk Herald, for
many courtcscs and attentions.
CnAssEUR.