The Press., 1884-07-03

in which large numbers of operatives are in timately associated.
 We have often called attention to this class of labor as one of the great inducements the Virginias can offer to those that would engage in any kind of mining and in any of the coarser and heavier kinds of manufacturing those of iron for example-within their 'bor- ders. Another opportunity is offered for call ing attention to this labor by the above pie ture of group of the negro laborers employ ed at the great Victoria furnace, near Goshen on the Chesapeake & Ohio Ry., where large majority of the employees are men of this race.
 This illustration of labor resting upon the products of it's toll, is photographically re- produced from photograph, so it is Q life picture which anyone desiring to study the general characteristics of the forms and fea- lures of this class of labor may enlarge for that purpose We submit that this group of negro furnace hands, unexpectedly called for a moment before the camera to be taken" will compare favorably in appearance with al- most any set of laborers that could in like manner be called up at furnaces elsewhere. We know that almost without exception those that have employed them for the purposes specified prefer thom to any other kind of la- bor; they conform to the apostolic maxim of being ''contented with their wages" and they have no disposition to "strike."
 
 and we must bid our kind Virginia friends goodbye. We leave the c. & o. road at Charlottesville, and go via the Virginia Midland north to Washington. The route is over historic ground, crossing the Rap- pahannock north of Culpepper, and pass ing in sight of many battle fields, including that of Bull Run, which, however, was passe d after dark and during 8 hard thun- dcr shower.
 Sunday was spent in Washington, and Monday night the trip was made by boat down the Potomac through Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads, to Norfolk. During all the trip the party was looking forward with lively anticipations to the sail home. The outward trip by water had been enjoyable, and like pleasant experience was looked for on the return.
 The return party was made up of frag- ments of two editorial parties, and contain ed several ladies. The second day out was showery and somewhat windy, but in the main the trip was devoid of anything to mar its pleasure.
 Our party, by formal vote of thanks, showed appreciation of attentions from Capt. Wm. A. Hallet of the Alleghany and Capt. F. M. Howes of the Berkshire, (the latter was the vessel of the return trip), to c. P. Gather, the Boston agent, to V. D. Grover, the Norfolk agent, and others of the officers of the line, but the real appreciation could be expressed by no formal method.
 We can recommend any one desiring @ pleasant vacation trip to take one of the fine iron steamships of this line. Original ly designed as freight route, its growing summer patronage has led to the refttlng and provision of fine saloons and state rooms, 50 that it is the height of luxury to travel The trip from Boston to Norfolk takes AS hours. The boats are of best build, and safe to cross the Atlantic in any existence the Merchants and Miners line has never lost single passenger by acci- dent.
 The tables are served by attentive wait- CTS, and with excellent fare, secured from both the markets of Boston and the south.
 The real terminus of the line is at Balti- more. Boats leave Boston on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 3 P. m., arriving at Nor folk on Fridays and Mondays at p. m. !, and leaving Norfolk for Baltimore the same evening, arriving at Baltimore early next morning. Returning boats leave Balti- more Mondays and Thursdays at 3 p. m, 7, Norfolk Tuesdays and Fridays at p. m.
 During winter and spring months the fare from between Boston and Baltimore is BIO; between Boston and Norfolk $9. In summer between Boston and Bal timore $14, round trip $24; Boston and Norfolk SIP, round trip $20. Fare in- cludes meals and berth in state room. Connection is made at Norfolk with bay steamers for Washington, Richmond, New port News, Old Point Comfort, etc., also with different railroads to the south and west.
 We got back to New England May 29th, and that night came the great frost that will go down into the recollections of the oldest inhabitants of the next half cen- tury, chilling welcome to get after fort night spent in the balmy south.