The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-08-01

springs tflaG DlSnG. lnlS was the 1fel4nC,
which only runs to Williamson shut the cit
lien did not know this, and thinking it went
through. he so Informed the visitors. OF
course the ladies, vexed because they had to
lay over from p. M, to $3.50 a. M, were
still more worried because they thought they
had been misinformed by the conductor and
the officers at the Hotel, OF course these
inadvertent statements, are honestly made
by those who are asked and wish to impair
information, and not designed to mislea6
But this insures great deal of useless grum-
bling from visitors, and sometimes hard and
unjust reflections upon the hotels. We re-
spectfully suggest to our citizens generally
that they inform themselves accurately as
to the arrival and departure of the regular
trains. so that they may be able to an
swer questions correctly, and save good
deal Of useless and unjust complaint about
those who are trying to serve the public so ac-
cepUably and satisfactory.
SUPERVISORS MEETING.-The Supervi-
sors of the county met on Saturday, there
being present, Messrs. Paris, Rust, Ellis,
Seig, East and Crawford.
Settlements for the year 1877, from the
following officers were presented and receiv-
ed:
Superintendent of the Poor, Jailer, Agent
for collection of ground rents, Clerk of
County Court, Clerk of Circuit Court, the
six District Oyerseers, the Commissioner OF
Public Buildings, auo Treasurer.
The Treasurer also made his supplemental
ry settlements for 1871, 1872, 1878, 1874,
1875, and 1876, which embraced the dog tax
up to and including 1877.
A warrant for $3.50 was ordered to be is
sued in favor of the City of Staunton for
balance on purchase of Court Room, provi-
related.
The Treasurer's settlement for the year
1877 showed receipts ST., 206.63, eXpendi-
lures SIG, 76S.l2, leaving balance as of Ju-
ly LIST, 1878, of $43S.5l. The estimated gross
levy for the year 1878 is $lG,74l.16, and es-
timated expenses, $l2, G55.0O, leaving bal
ance of 81, OS6.1G, from which insolvents and
Ireasurer's fees are to be deducted and the
balance TO meet contingent expenses of the
county.
The lax on dogs for the year ending May
lst, 1878. was $l.7G7.4G, from which was de-
Quoted for delinquents $24G.50; for rebate,
1924; commissions to Treasurer, $97 .46; and
aggregate fall claims for sheep killed by
dogs, premiums for foxes, wolves, &c., and
assessors. $S55.54, leaving Il balance of $780,
have not yet been presented.
| The committee reported that they had
turned over to the city of Staun.on the old
weights and measures of the county, to be
returned at any time hereafter upon thirty
days notice.
| The contract for building stone wall in
rear of the Jail was awarded to Cornelius
Collins and Daniel Crogan, and Messrs.
Rust, Crawford, and East were appointed a
committee to advertise and receive rropo-
sails for building a new barn at the Poor
house upon the specifications made by them
and report bids to next meeting.
DIR. ]. c. Dunlap was re-appointed ply
stefan to the poor house at a salary of $50.
| W. T. Rush. and w. A. Burnett were ap-
pointed committee to make necessary re-
pairs to the law Office occupied by D. S.
Young, hereafter to be used by the County
Treasurer.
Accounts amounting to $500 were allowed
to be paid out of levy of 1877.
THE FALL OF DAMASCUS, by Charles
Wells Russell, published by Lee & Shep
pard, Boston.
Few books emanating from authors I'M
known to the literary world have called forth
so many favorable comments as this. Es-
pecially has it been favored by the press of
the State, but we incline to the opinion that
the fraternal feeling of the editors for the
author, who is the son of an eminent
Virginiam the late Hon. Charles
W. Russell, of Wheeling, has tenn
pered judgment in no small degree and
prompted many notice which an impartial
critic could scarcelyhave sanctioned. The ver-
lest novice in novel reading need not be told
that the work isl maiden effort. Its strong
SAVIOUR Of pedantry, bungling marshaling of
forces, and constant and uneasy shifting, all
proclaim inexperience, whilst the parenthet-
ical promises which Immediately follow the
introduction Of new characters, and assure
the reader that the mysterious vapor which
surrounds them will all be cleared away in
good time, evidence the authors distrust
and want of familiarity with that we'll es-
tablished rule in novel reading, which takes
it for granted that the proper unravelng
will occur before the. fms is reached There
iss,no lack OF incdent-the book abounds in
melting love scenes, fierce hand-to-hand en-
counters, dark assassinations, mysterious
caves and haunts of witchery, but the group
ing is awkward and the characters are too
numerous. 1t is doubtless true, as the au-
thor says, that we of this cold, calculating
age cannot comprehend the fierce and con-
Stunning passions which found Judgment in
the breasts of those children of the land
s'Where the rage of the vulture, tie love of the
turtle
Now melt into sorrow. now madden to crime, %
but the most generous allowance will scarce ly
warrant the rapidity and violence with which
he plunges from extreme to extreme, seem
ingly forgetful that the connecting means
are at ali worthy of attention.
Whilst there is much to censurc. there is
yet much to admire in the book. Its fresh
ness cannot fail to prove attractive, and both
language and IDEAS oftimes partake OF a
richness well adapted to the theme. Through
out. there is an eastern glow-a SORT of morn
ing coloring and dewy sparkle that would
atone for defects even more apparent, but
is powerless to conceal them. Its strong in
dlviduality will make it interesting to pub
lie that has been satiated with sameness, ant
we predict for It ready sale.
TWeutV-fiVn eases of vallnw favar a M