Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-01-29
LETTER FROM NORFOLK

correspondence of the Alexandria GAZETTE
NORFOLK, Va. January 27.-Whilc all
the world seems 10 have been CONCEALED
with colo and buried in snow, we have had
but little of either here say but little. for
| can only speak comparatively, as there
was a fall of nearly twelve inches, which
disappeared in few days, while in Hanover
it was nearly twice that depth, and probably
has not disappeared as yet. And while the
rivers TO the north and west of us are frozen
over, and navigation is suspended there has
scarcely been a sufliciency of ice here to
make respectable freezer of cream. The
thermometer ranged below zero in and
west Of Richmond, while here, to my sensi-
biltics, it has only been respectively cool
for late fall or early spring wea Their. To
my surprise, work in brick and mortar has
been suspended but q day or two, even on
brick walls, and hence several new houses
have gone up within my observation during
the past thirty days. The smallest boats
and the proudest ships, alike, navigate the
placid waters of the beautiful Elizabeth,
with no interruption from ice orsnow. But
we have had almost enough rain to render
some Of the streets navigable by row boats
Two days of sunshine only, that can re-
call, have smiled on this city Of fogs rain
and mist, since New Years day-thls our
blessings and curses are nearly cqualized.
An earnest move has been made by some
of the more prominent citizens to organize n
chartabl lie association TO aid the poor. THE
poor ye have always with YOU" was spoken
by the Son of God, nearly two thousand
years ago to the people of highly favored
Judca. Why there should be any poor
people in Norfolk, except in rare and acct
dental cases, is mystery to me. 1t is true,
have had but little opportunity of Judging
Of the mental and moral status of the labor.
ing whites, but / have had ample oppor
tunitlcs OF knowing that the colored ladies
and gentlemen are as independent as Henry
Tie Eighth or Queen Bess. They work and
stop rs to them seemeth best, and when
they do work il is in quantity and quality
rs they prefer. They can "get a iob;'
almost any time, Ut from fifteen to twenty
cents an hour, and one or two hours work
make them supremely independent. Hence
instead of heholding the DER labored wight,
begging his lordly fellow. worm to give him
leave to toll" we see the ''lordiy fellow
worm" with respectful genutexious and a
graceful bow, begging" Mr.. and Mrs.
colorcd so-and-so to permit them to pay
almost anything they may ask, TO do almost
anything they may feel disposed at almost
any time they may choose, in the way of
cooking, &c, But still there may be worthy.
honest, industrious poor, OF both races,
whom sad misfortune or dim calamity has
rendered highly deservingohject of charity;
Tor such the association will earnestly toll
have formed the acquaintance of many
leading ladies and gentlemen of The city,
and have been highly pleased with their
Genalty, hospitality, intelligence and re-
linement. knew, i'll years gone by, The
wiery, nervous energetic and warm hearted
editor Of the Lriger. and find him to-day,
'th' chronologically Older as Gov. Smith
would say, yet mentally, cordially, and
physically as young rs when he tramped the
streets Of Petersburg before the war, or led
his brave followers in the sllrging tide of
battle. He is doing valiant service for
Norfolk and Virginia. ! have also had the
pleasure of knowing our Baron Hope, tall
orators and poets belong To the people and
are but seldom titled the editor of the
Landmarks n gentleman of ability, taste and
culture, he is held in high esteem by his fell
low citizens. With others of the editorial
fraternity: |! has not been my pleasure to
| meet
The medical fraternity, with the exccp-
ton OF two or three, have been so over
Whcimingly engaged iii the active duties of
| their calling, that they have had no oppor-
tunllE OF calling on me rs yet, hence ] have
formed the acquaintance Of but few Among
these, however, who have honorcd me with
professional greetings, without assigning
any invidiouS distinctions. | may be per-
mttcd to mention the honorcd names of
Doctors Moore and Scldcn, whose profess
sonal attainmcnts. refined tastes and cult
waited minds, would place them in the front
rank OF their profession in any community,
anu make them as most worthy representa-
tives OF the ''ola Virginia gentlemen" Long
may they live, to adorn their profession.
honor their race. and stand rs beacons TO
light the pathway OF their younger and less
favored brethren, to the same honorable
position they SO worthiIy fill.
The engineers are ''hastcning slowly''
with the sewerage Of the city, 50 that, in q
few days, or weeks ut most, an opportunity
will be afforded oftcsting its success.
1t has occurred to me, that the business
men of Norfolk are not sufficiently demon
strativc as to their wishes in relation TO
railroad connections with the West. Now
that the ''Ohio Central" is heading its way
i'll this direction. were they to stretch forth
their hands and bid them come, and them
selves designate the point of entrance, &c,
it would go far, towards insuring the con-
summation Of their hopes, and prevent the
Ausus-eyed cities Of Lynchburg, Richmond
and Petersburg from directing its objective
point to other places, That road completed
in conjunction with the n. 4 +. which is
being extended, the 5. 4 X. aud the n. &
w. thus bringing us in direct communica
ton with the Northwest, the West, the
Southwest and South, Norfolk would awake
from her sleep of centuries, and bound forth
into the front rank of American maritime
cities. HANOVER.
The ESTKAPED .]EWS.-In a hotel or lo,lp