The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-03-14

Somebody has said that rid ing out in a
vehicle is conducive Of tender feelings,
but in order TO enjoy the pleasure to the
fullest extent n good team and a smooth
road are indispensable.
When young man in a sOap-diSh hat of
the latest style, the completest polka-dot
cravat, and a coat only two inches longer
| than his vest, undertakes to drive the
young lady out behind a slow team and
over rough road, il makes no difference
how well he Is satisfied with his wardrobe,
his side-bar buggy and its narrow limits,
! the main incentive TO the fullest enjoyment
OF tender feeling is wanting ii he is to
be bumped up and down by the holes in
the road until the buggy quivers like n
thing Of beauty, and he has to ply his fore
arm with the vigor Of scytheman in order
to remind his steed that he is in the neigh
b1rhood.
TEAMS AND TURNoUTs.
Richmond has no reason to complain Of
her teams. Perhaps just in and around
the city some OF the most famous bloOded
horses OF the world have betl raised. Just
across the river, In Chesterfield county,
| lived at one time Colonel ". Il. johnson,
| the Napoleon OF the tuf, while coming
down to later times. and closer 10 our
doors, we have Major L. w. boswell as
the leading figure to-day in matters OF
blooded teams. In fact, those who keep
pleasure horses in Richmond keep good
ones; it having always been consid-
cred the essence OF Virginia quality
to have fast and fat horses. The
equipagcs embrace every description
OF vehicle. Some OF them look more like
they were intended for meal-carts than to
hold such precious burdens Of beauty as
they do; but strange rs this may seem,
these are said TO be the most fashionable,
and are called aesthetic. At any rate, they
are the mortal enemies OF dyspepsia and
the friends Of digestion. All OF the turn
outs are just what is expected, and having
the teams and carriages, let us see
HOW ABOUT THE DRIVES.
Decidedly the prettiest drive near the
city is Grove avenue. 10 commences at
Monroe Park and extends westerly TO the
reservoir. Very little Of the avenue is
within the corporate limits, but it is for
three quarters OF mile perfectly straight,
and the soil just the kind to make smooth,
excellent roadway. ON either side shade
trees spread their branches-hcnce the
name bTOCt aNtnuc. Dub ilt Snhnt
is, the road is in poor plight.
1t lacks drainage and needs work badly,
and Il seems 4 pity that such good teams,
such fine cquipageS, and such richly
dressed people should be forced by lack OF
enterprise to air tn 'mSelyeS on such rough
track. Every evening hundreds OF people
90 daShing along behind mcttlesome horses
over Grove road on their way to the pretty
surroundings at the reservoir. The park,
the lake, the rlce-track. the hamlets in the
distance, and all the surroundings, make
this the place most sought for by those
who are owners OF teams. In order to get
here they come Cid Grove avenue.
Now those bO dance ought to pay the iid-
dler. The city will not eXpend any money
on the road. and the county is too poor to
/ do so, and those who own teams and turn
outs ought to do it. The saving in the
wear and tear cf vehicles and the avoided
damage TO borSh-ile>h, stamps the invest
ment profitable one. Organize a COM
mittee, solicit contributions to the amount
OF 81 900. and have the avenue graded
and drained. 1t can be done for this, and
well done. PrOperty-holders along the
road ought to afford active help. start the
work at once. and keep it up until the
avenue is put in better order.