Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-16
A PEEP AT THE PENINSULA.
Historical Matters Recalled by Trip
over the {. and o. to Virginia Beach.

over the &. and o. to Virginia Beach.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
VIRGiNI. BEACH, July 13.-Wishing to
take little rest from the arduous duties
Of my vocation. thought | could not well
20 amiss by following the lead of that
"prince of good fellows" Major G. Oh
c.. and go eastward 10 find ont what the
wild waves were saying and I'LL my lungs
with old oceans unadulterated lnvigOratOr.
] followed my friend TO the Chesapeake
and OHIO 800 Y. Nj. train. and was delight
ed with the trip through the Peninsula
hallowed with the remembrances of the
glory as well Us the trials of our fore
fathers, who piloted their little colony 10
the magnificent proportions OF our present
United States.
HISTORICAL "REMINISCENCES.
Recolections Of the History Of Vir.
einia. John Estcn Cookies Golden
Horseshoe" History of the Life and
Adventures of Captain John Smith,
and other literature of like kind. which
delighted our earlier years, crowded
upon us as we passed Providence Forge,
where father" George had his Ratchet
made into an axe for granderpurposest than
cutting his fathers chcrry-trec Smith t
Island, ut Deep Hole, now named Lanexa,
where Captain John Smith was certainly
captured by the Indians, however much OF
al equivOcal smile may curl the lips of our
friend Charlie when he hears the conduc-
tor mention the legend to his Ohio tourist
seeking information "a well rs recreation
Williamsburg 80 Toplete with traditions
moss-grown dormer windows, college stu
dents. and lunatics.
pRANKs or THE BOYS.
The sight of William and Mary College
recalls many prank played by students
whonow are gray haired grandta,hers when
"Old Buck" "Pompey," and DR.. Totten
directed the minds and morals of present
judges, lawyers, congressman. bishops
priests. and laymen who then could enjoy
taking down Mr.. Vests sign, DRY Goods
and Groceries" and placing II over the
gate of the young ladies' seminary. OF
painting "Pompey's" ponies like zebra
or muitiing the legs of one Of the PONIES
and bodily carrying il TO the belfry on top
of the college and tying foot 10 the bell
cord 10 cause the bell to ring when he at.
tempted 10 get his foot TO the floor.
INNOCENT sLEEp.
With what delight did the students
breathlossly listen TO the stealthy football
of the professors creeping To the beiiry e
catch the suspected student who would be
found Justify snoring when the chagrined
professors would inspect the rooms to see
who was out
How pleasant il would be To revisit the
old burg. feast as Of wore at the bounteous
board of mine host Hansford, visit the
spots where Cooke describes SO much rcyel.
" and martial pOmp by Governor Spots
woods little band before they marched so
manfully TO the then unknown west by the
route which is Almost identical with that
now passed over by the Chesapeake and
Ohio railroad.
ANCIENT AND MODERN.
But set out TO go 10 the wild waves. In
few moments after leaving the old burg
ths tenOr-voiced fiagman called Mum
Mum, she station for Yorktown when re-
collections Of General Nelson ordering hi.
house 10 be made too hot with canister foi
the British officers. Lord Cornwallis's sur
render. and the Yorktown centennial mixeC
themselves no with the talk Of land
boomer pointing out MIR. Ellyson's schem,
and DR.. Dickinson's hopes OF con.
tinuous city between Hampton and
that pointof land where the news Of Cap
tain Newport's arrival with supplies was 5,
loyously received by the furnishing colony
but which now bids far to become tn,
third IN importance OF the Atlantic cities
New iork beng first AID Norfolk second
Al the News, with many other Rich
mond acquaintance destined for Virgins
Beach, ! transferred 10 the steamer Lou