The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-01-01
Religious and Benevolent BOdies. Secret Or
ders, Military Commands, &c.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL

a Richmond's Record for 1853, here made
&p, shows our city advancing with stately
6tep. She is increasing in population, in
wealth, and in the comforts and luxuries
'pi life. Attention is more than ever paid
10 the development OF the natural beauties
spi the place. The parks begin to look very
pretty. Dwellings are provided with
greater conveniences, and built in better
etyles. Streets are made smoother. Busi-
&ness-houses are larger and brighter. Work
ehops are planned with more consideration
hor operatives.
n 1t Is an age Of progress. The city that
<halts when oil the line is in motion will be
krodden under foot by those eager in the
race; aud it is pleasant to know that Rich
I1mond keeps agoing at a sure and steady
|{pace. Her growth from the begin
hing has been gradual, as it has
&ever been solid. There is little OF the
tmushroom about her. She is more like the
{oak each year sinking her roots deeper;
8her trunk growing stronger and her
fbranches spreading wider. While we can
mot claim to be one OF the great cities OF
the earth, we can fairly assert that Rich
3nond is very desirable place for residence
bnd for business.
between The mountains and the sea. Long,
bard winters and fever-breeding summers
IRE alike strangers to us. There is water
power OF S0,000.horse, and manufactures
elready in operation, employing 1851 me-
hanics and laborers. Six railroads centre
II this point. From the open sea to Rich
hond, the head OF navigation, the James
j. navigable for vessels drawing 16 feet,
(which depth in years to come will be
<largely Increased. The population Of the
City proper is $4,000; Manchester (sepa-
rated from us by the river has 1000 addi-
{tional, and our immediate suburbs 5000
more-total, $4,000.
Altogether we have ood deal TO satisfy
us and to invite new corners. whether they
seek place for business enterprise or the
comforts Of city home.
HOUSES, PEOPLE, AND STREETS.
The year past has been almost unexam-
pied here in house-building. There were
a considerable number OF manufacture
and business-houses added to, but the bull
OF work done was on dwelling houses;
several Of which were very costly, and 1T.
I ed TO adorn the elegant streets on which
they were put-all Of which proves that
there Is money here; that residences are IN
demand, and that capitalists have conf
dence In the future Of the city and in the
OF this sort Of investment.
The demand for houses, Of the smallest
class particularly, is still unsupplied. The
surest foundation OF the city's prosperity
will have been laid when comfortable
homes In plenty are provided for mechan-
les; provided at rents proportionate to the
wages they receive. We are making some
progress in this direction, but greater is to
be wished for.
Our streets are straight and nicely paved
iad graded, and in residential neighbor-
FOODS shaded by trees, which, with front !
'ards well filled with flowers and sLyubbery. !
give the city pleasingly homelike rp.1.
nee to visitors. But our public buil..
ngs have not impressed strangers; on the
'ontrary, have been no little Of a shame
o Us. This will be In some degree re-
moved By the erection Of the new City
Hail. the cornerstone OF which will De
A'd In lew months. There d good hope
Bat this win give impulse 10 further public
Dterpr'se, ard that Il will be followed BY ,
BOB siserous sdofts q win result ia !,