Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-03-31
whal Eas,
what Is,
what Shall Be.

terms of the beautiful ruins of castles
which dot the landscape in those couA'
tries where civilization has had her
home for centuries. Laid waste by
the mailed hand OF war or its walls
and battlements gnawed into by the
all-dsvouring tsoth of time, theJ
stand out against the SKY as if holding
communion With the clouds which
inger over their ancient towers. In
treading upon ruins one sets his foot
upon some spot hallowed perhaps BY
the romantic love Of q youthful pair
or the scene of a struggle between
plumed knights of old who drew their
swords for God and native land. The
ruins of the Coliseum at Rome or the
Parthenon at Athens are visited by
pilgrims from every cline who desire
to worship art in its birthplace. Coun.
tries that possess these sublime speci-
mems of human genius seem to live
only in the recollection of their
former greatness. They have passed
the golden age, the silver age, the
bronze age, yet they linger lovingly
and iOndly around the evidences Of
their former grandeur, silently per-
hitting the power and magic Of such
ruins to influence their life and their
dreams. They cannot shake off the
spell which poesy has thrown around
them. For them, decays effacing
fingers has not obliterated the beauty
which covers the past. For them, the
shepherd still pipes his lay in the Vale
of Arcadia and the fairies dance in
the moonlight on the green sward
that emborders its pellucid streams.
The haunted castle and the goblin
sprite of later days holds them en-
chained to tradition, and the halo of
romance surrounds the charmed spot.
In old countries people point with
pride to ruins, but modern Memphis
is too young in years to possess such
excitants Of romance, and her people
are not educated sufficiently in as-
thetics to discover any beauty in the
few tumble-down shanties scattered
through her streets, and which are
our nearest approach to foreign ruins.
In this age of steam'the young Giant Of
Progress lays his hand upon ruins,
remorSelesSly crushing sentiment as
soldier in the field brushes a flower,
and at his touch a palace springs into
existence, completely furnished with
all the modern improvements to enable
man to enjoy life in comfort and not
altogether in imagination. The Slave
of the Lamp, who executed the orders
Of Aladdin, completed his work but
little quicker than can the Genius Of
this Age.
For number Of years past ricketty
shantieS have covered the southeast
corner of Main and Monroe streets,
and their removal at this time be,
speaks genuine progress. especially so
when they are to be supplanted by a
handsome building, which will be an
ornament to the locality. Although
its exterior was extremely shabby, yet
lts interior was so handsomely fitted
up by Sol Coleman as to justify him
In calling it Cigar Palace. The new
building to be erected on the ruins of
this well-known cigar palace will not
be OF massive proportions, but will
make up in beauty its want Of size.
1t will possess a handsome outside
appearance, and the interior will be fit
ted upin the most tasteful manner be-
lifting the Memphis home of the royal
Havana cigar. Sol Coleman will fur,
aiSh it entirely new throughout, deco
gating it in the most exquisite style of
art, gratifying to theeye and pleasing
to the taste. Until June LIST, the date
Of completion of the new building,
Sol Coleman will temporarily make
No. 3O2 Main street, cigar headQuar>
terS. He will not attempt to
beautify that place, but will continue
to handle the best domestic and im-
ported cigars. He has removed in
the last fifteen years from three dit
ferent shanties, which have been
demolished to make room for finer
buildings. In this instance he will
move back into the new building
erected on the ruins Of his old stand,
as his greatly increased business justi-
lies him in occupying such enlarged
and handsome quarters. That his
hosts of friends will call on him at
3O2 Main, aud at the proper tine re.
pew their former patronage at 3l6l
Main, is q foregone conclusion.
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