The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-25
PITTSBURGH.

PITTSBURGH.
LIrE IN THE GREAT MANUPAcTURISG CITY OF
TIL. wEsT-TnE HILLS AND VALLEYS AROUND
TIE SMOKY TowS-A HARD TIME FOR THE
HoUsEKEEPERs--BUsiN IN THE CITY AND
AT THE WORCESTERSHIRE CITY SOCIALLY
AND POLITICALLY, &C, &C.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dlspatch.l
SEPTEMBER 81, 1880.
"Pittsburgh smoke" has become by
word. and seems the most appropriate
commencement for short description OF
Piusburgbian life, as IL appeared to a
stranger during few weeks past, thus
avoiding all rhetorical crcumlocution and
diving right into the all-engrossing subject,
the primary agent OF activity and energy in
business quarters, the invincible, stealthy
foe OF all bousekeepCrs. The business
centre is at the point where the Monon-
gshela and Allegheny rivers unite TO flow
onward In their course as the Ohio. The
hills in the immediate vicinity OF the
town ore abruptly broken of at the
river-edge, and the rugged appearance Of
the slopes, together with the dlapi-
dated sbanties OF daring squatters, lend
enchantment 10 The scene when viewed
from the distance. AS the town proper
Is left, the valleys open somewhat. forming
a beautiful undulating country, with glo-
rious, Oft romantic, little valleys and
runs. where the atmosphere is clear. the
woods and cir full OF light and joy, lively
riyulets rushing along and seeking their
way through the chaos Of rocks and Debris.
Neatly-dressed maidens, fresh and bloom
ing, as met in the country only, would in
dictate 10 the lonely wanderer seeking re-
pose and comfort in these lovely places the
possibility Of an idyic adventure, but on
approaching nearer the pert look and she
sight of bangs" d:sperses all cherished
hopes, and, with shy, intimidated look, he
passes on.
Returning TO the main valley the prospect
from the crest Of the hills is varied. Be-
hind the lovely, glowing country extending
far of 10 the horizon, in soft, beautiful
farms, showing the manifold hues OF the
woods and fields, and bounded by clear,
blue sky, with few feathery clouds sailing
lightly along, and thus relieving the monot-
ony. Below the valleys OF the Mononga-
hela and Allegheny, and then stretching
far off in the distance the bends and curves
OF the glorious Ohio, but all marred and
changed 10y clouds OF smoke which seem
to wait and collect their forces over The diff
ferent works, there having formed and
chosen their course, they dash off and roll
on like an inyincbIe army till they strike
the slopes OF the hills, suddenly converting
the lovely, sunny hillside, covered with
villas aud gardens, into bleak, dreary
precipice.
1t is also remarkable sight to see the
Landscape in the main valley divided up
into patches Of golden hue, and others OF
4 dark-grayish tint, caused by the shadows
OF the clouds OF smoke roaming about in
the air, and TO watch these shadows asSum-
ing the most fantastic shapes, minglIDg
and then separating, suddenly fading away
to appear as suddenly again, as the rays OF
the sun wind their course in and out OF the
celestial clouds. People 20 TO the noun
tains, travel to Europe, climb thousands OF
feet to see similar sights; Pittsburghians
have this phenomenon for nothing all the
year round. On Sunday the valley can be
seen in its full glory, but even then the
beauty OF natural scenery is limited 10 GER
tain hours; as shout O'Clock p. NJ. the
face OF nature begins TO wear the same dim,
ugly mask again till the next Sunday morn
ing.
The housekeepers have hard time OF it,
but by constant care and by regulating the
ips and outs OF the house, as If its inmates
weie as delicately constituted as tropical
plants in lighthouses, the private houses are
kept very clean, as rule. When in Hol-
land the writer used to be awakened twice
q week by perfect deluge of water dasbing
at The windows, but looked in vain during
his stay in Pittsburgh for the neat Dutch
housewife with her maid, out early in the
morning on the street, squirting water at
the outside of the house from topic bottom.
There are numerous fine buildings and
churches in the town, but all wear the dim,
sooty appearance TO be found in terminal
railroad stations. Place your hand on a
baluster, dOor-knob, bell-pull in one Of these
buildings, or hang on TO a strap or rod in
the horse-car. or lean over the railing OF a
bridge to view the varying sights on the
riyer-in fact, do anything-and the results
are visible, unless the hands have got so ac-
customed 10 this kind OF treatment that the |
lines aud pores are Indifferent to new mat |
Ter
Business is very brisk at present. All |
the "works" are actively engaged; the iron
business is doing very well, but workmen |
are scarce. Several blast furnaces are bav- |
ing new stacks with appurtenances built, |
and seem to vie with each other in the |
height and magnitude OF these structures. |
Steel is forming very important produce |
)i the place, aud its adaptablity for struc-
ursl purposes Is greatly gaining ground. |
The whole city and surroundings are inter- |
'persed with through lines and perfect |
network of local roads, broad and narrow
gauge, connecting the various works and
settlements with the principal
Socially the Town has been very quiet.
rhe annual exhibition at Allegheny, oppo-
lite Pittsburgh, Is a great success, owing to
he fine weather, ADD attracts crowds.
are not very abundant and
ia the last week Lawrence
Barrett played in Hamlet, Julius Caesar,
Merchant OF Venice, David Garrick, Richie
leu, Lady OF Lyons. etc. Other passing
engagements were held by Corti's Spanish
Students; the Australian Stewards Tony
Pastors Troupe; Gus. Williams in Our
German Senator; Shannon n Edeson
Troupe in "a Golden Game" the London
Circus Troupe.
The political marching clubs are in foil
way, and some troubles have eusued, al
hough as rule the prevailing feeling be-
ween antsgonistic clubs passing each other
m the streets has been expressed by three
earty cheers on each side. Wigwams are
here and there, aud are easily
ound by the ever-preyaiing crowd OF
)afers congregated at the place.
A colored club, several hundred strong,
nth numbers OF physically line men, was
ut lately and conducted themselves little
etter than a mob with all its passions let
pose. After bowling and yelling for seve-
n hours fight occurred, caused by the re-
isrk OF some bystander, who, on being at
'eksd, retreated into saloon immediate
! behind him. The crowd demolished
a al nj hA oil .nA I'm 4