The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-04-08
sATuRDAY,.NIGHT scENE Es.
A BEAUTIFUL AND QUIET NIGHT-ARouND
THE MARKETs-NoTED LocALITIEs-P0-
LICE PIcKINGs-NoTEs HERE AND
THERE-GooD-NIGHT <

a AgDEAUTthU1ANIS UtLI| ISiSfn1 raoC y
| THE MARKETs-NoTED LocALITIES-PO-
LICE PICKING s-NoTEs HERE AND
THERE-Go ooD-NIGHT.
| The weather predictions Saturday were
| &c clear or partly cloudy weather and winds
| mostly from northwest to southwest and
| /" Old Probabilities never made utatruer
IbilI. It was peculiarly a day OF sunshine
and shadow. There was a little sun and a
4 little wind, and all that was wanting was 3
little rain to have made 1t what Kirk
| White described as 1a peeyish April
day. Towards nightfall it blew up
cooler, the wind gradually rose, and be-
tween and 8 there was stiff and not
altogether pleasant breeze afoat. The
moon went down soon after 10 O'Clock, and
then, indeed, Z. s.Night threw her sable man
tie y over the world. but not altogether over
sIumbering one-at least herei in Richmond
there were many who did not seek their
downy couches until after midnight. The
winds having in measure abated about 8
o'clock. and the night being clear, star
| hight, and not altogether unpleasant one. a
Dispatch reporter, actuated by the natural
impulse of seeing what was going on, and
the laudable one of keeping his readers tullys
posted, sailed forth upon tour of obserya-
tion, and the result Of his explorations will
be found recorded below. There is no place
where one can see and learn more OF human
nature than at the night markets, and these
were first visited.
THE MARKETS
were kept open until nearly 10 o'clock, and
the many lanterns and torches displayed re-
minded one Of some mammoth torchlight
procession. Buyers were numerous until
The markets closed. There are many peo-
pie who do not receive their weekly or
monthly stipend until late, and are COM
PEELED to make their purchases accordingly.
There are others who 20 late purposely, as
fresh meats, dressed fowl, and other perish
able articles are sold cheaper, unless the
weather is extremely cold, and there are
chances of driving better bargains than by
going at an earlier hour. The scene Satur-
day night was busy one, but there Was.no
disorder. TIE glare Of the lights, the
shouts Of the marketmen, and the constant
hum OF conversation among the buyers,
made matters lively but not disagreeable.
Salad and other vegetables went begging
about 81 O'Clock. The fish market was scant
and prices high; but fresh meat, eggs, but
ter, and poultry remained firm until the.
hour of closing.
The Theatre was closed, and Seventh and
sBroad street in its immediate front did not
have its usual quota OF loungers.
At Mozart Hall q Cimmerian darkness pre-
vailed, and this temple Of the muses., where
oft is heard sounds as sweet as those OF
"The harp that once through Tarra's halls
The soul OF music she'd"
was mute and SILENT.
The Opera-House was also closed, and
the Comique was left alone in its glory, and
had fair attendance.
The retail stores all appeared to be doing
some business, while the tastefully.arranged
windows afforded an attraction for many
on the outside, who, not having the where
with to make purchases, contented them
selves with feasting their eyes upon the beau
tiful, useful, and palatable articles dis
played.
The barber-shops were well filled with
those who wished to make as barefaced an
appearance as possible Sunday.
at many Of the public places
LOCAL POLITICS
was the leading t8pic of conversation, and
the claims of the various candidates for
municipal offices was spiritedly discussed
by embryo statesmen.
The bIlliard-hails, shooting-galleries, and
auction-rooms were well attended, and all
seemed to be doing very profitable busl-
ness.
At a number OF the churches could be
heard the voices OF the choristers practicinS
for the services Of the Sabbath day.
Saturday night is generally the most busy
one with the police. A great many persons
use it as a half holiday, and spend the greater
portion of the night in riotous living, ex-
pecting to sleep OF their potations on the day
! following. Last Saturday night was an
agreeable exception to very general rule.
NOTED LOCALITIES.
The First police district embraces that
part of the city east OF Fourteenth street;
| It was partially explored. Cash Corner,
Fish Market Place, the Dock, and Shockoe
Flats were found in perfect state OF peace:
| At 1.-THE Shipping Office" Sailors Rest,
and Snug Harbor party Of both white and
colored-mostly seafaring men-were found
talking, smoking, and drinking. The pro-
liability is that they were not able to see
very far if they INDUCED to any great extent
Lin the latter pastime.
The Second police district extends from
Fourth to Fourteenth streets. In this sec
ton Byrd Island" "Sugar Bottom," and
! "Pink alley" were visited without the de-
yelopment Of single item Of startling
character.
The Third police district embraces all OF
the city west Of Fourth street. In this
quarter the worst place is the alley that
runs between Broad and Marshall streets
and from Brook avenue nearly to Elba
Park. 1t Is known by many names, but
favorabIy by none. Saturday night not
! whisper could be heard, and all was as quiet
| as it generally is in tie vicinity OF Holly
wood. Another fragrant locality IN TINS
district is JacksontoWn, bounded by Brook
avenue and St. Peters, Lee, and Baker
streets. Even Jacksontown, which IN the
piping times Of peace wears Warllke as
pect, and where quarrel can originate on
the slightest provocation, had Saturday
night followed the commendabe example
| of other noted localities, and was clrcum-
spect and orderly in an unusual degree.
| 1t is not to be wondered at that, after
reconnaissance Of such questionable locall-
! ties, if the reporter at last found himself in
the station-house. In fact, duriug the night
| he finds himself in all three, at various
times, and below will be found the result
OF bis examinations on Saturday night,
being a true copy from the records-teste:
BUSINESS AT THE srAT1oN-H0UsEs.
At the First station-house Captain James
B. Pleasants and Sergeants Howard and
Wren were found on duty. The following
cases were reported:
John Watson was arrested by Sergeant
Howard, charged with the larceny OF q
knife from John Williams.
Three parties, who were drunk and un-
able to take care Of themselves. had been
kindly run in, registered, and been dis