The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1894-02-02
$500, $4,000 and S25.oo.

me1 of note. Richmond can be over
looked from knoll just back of Davis's
grave, also Manchester and the James
river, perhaps to better advantage than
any other point. This cemetery also
contains Confederate Soldiers MOnu-
ment, made of rough asher, pyramid in
shape, some 70 feet high and 40 square
at base. 1t was built by cOnvicts, and
the cap stone was placed in position by
one of their number scaling the ragged
edges without help from the ground,
being given his freedom for so doing.
While doing the city we saw Jeff. Davis
mansion 1.-THE White House of the Con-
federacy), Capitol Square, the Capitol
Building headquarters of the G. S. Az,
now occupied by the State Legislature
Just assembled, Monument to Stonewall
Jackson, "WashingtOn in the air." a he
roic sized bronze figure astride horse of
same material, on an immense granite
pedestal, whole height some 90 feet,
the Governors Mansion, Henry Clay
monument, General Lees Residence.
The church (St. Paul's), in which Jetfer-
son Davis was worshiping, when Gen.
Lees telegram was handed him saying,
"Richmond must be evacuated and many
other sights. This city presents perhaps
more of general interest to Northern
er," than any we shall pass through, and
a week is none too long in which to en-
joy the sights. While here, we visited
Richmond Lodge No. 10, F. and a. NJ.
and witnessed installation of officers.
In no other city in the south, have we
been received more royalty. A banquet
followed, after which committee took
us in charge and allowed nothing of in
terest to escape. We commend any
brother to their charge. The route from
Washington, D. c., to jacksonville, is
one unbroken stretch of nearly dead
level, pine trees and swamp. The eye
tires as mile after mile follow in quiet
succession, relieved now and then by a
few negro huts, old cotton and cane
fields, a saw mill or turpentine still.
Thesehuts consist of very rough boards
placed on end, perhaps six feet long, a
roof of same material, white-washed
sides, the whole. in every instance, placed
some two or three feet above the ground,
on piles, giving free access to the pigs
underneath. For windows square
hole, with shutter very seldom sash,
and in many cases the door consists of
an old sail cloth or phosphate bag, long
past serving their original duties, in fact
"Eack numbers" Southern life, while not
worthy of emulation, presents to us an
agreeable contrast from the constant
work and worry considered necessary by
our northern friends. One can but en-
joy the ''happy 90 lucky" life of the
southern Darky. He lives for to-day
only. This climate, conductive to lazi-
ness, has a charm for a race noted for
their general, take it easy policy. Three
days work year they claim is all that is
necessary. One in which to plOw, one
to set potato slips, one to dig the sweets,
then again, unlike our northern climate,
what cannot be done to-day, can be done
tomorrow, or next week, or next month.
Two square meals a week, and Darky
is happy. Give him few sugar canes,
some oranges. plenty of sun and log ON
which he can stretch himself minus hat,
and his Heaven has been reached.
Would we were so constituted, but alas.
We inquired "Why is it not unhealthy on
these swamps." In reply, 'do you not
notice the absence of scum on the sur
face" Our attention was called to what
at first glance appeared to be frog spittle,
but on close examination, proved to be a
minute plant with three leaves, not
larger than a pin head each, easily mis-
taken for scum. Our first experience on
a sleeper occurred on the down trip, and
wi h all due Difference, allow us to say
to country people, don't" We mental
ly resolved never to repeat the dose. 1t
may do for people accustomed to the
pent up air and apartments OF city, but
to put person born and brought up
where air and room predominant, in the
confines of lower double berth in
Pullman sleeper, well, no more say we.
We arrived at Jacksonville, via, Atlantic
Coast Line on January 4th. Here we
spent week at the Grand View Hotel,
kept by G. w. Smith of Littleton, New
Hampshire, who is also proprietor of the
Chiswick Inn, Littleton. Brother Smith
is ION the square," sets a fine table, |
keeps an A. hotel and makes one feel |
at home. 'When you leave me you
leave home" he is wont to say, and our |
experience proves it fact In this con-
nection allow us to say, one does not |
find and cannot expect to find, board as
in the North. "Northern cooks and |
is an attractive card swung to |
the breeze. One can better appreciate |
this after a few weeks spent south of |
Washington. One day was spent in Wis |
iting Mayport on the Atlanuc coast. |
The train backed down to the beach ard |
on looking out the door we were surprised
to see the white sand had blown around |
the buildings, like snow with us at home,
one could see nothing but sand and sea.
Back of this, the vegetation appeared |
tropical enough. One thing we miss,
birds. few are seen. We had expected |
to find them very thick. Jacksonville is
somewhat disappointing. Outside its |
caravansaries, and Bay street, one is at !