Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-06
a TRIP TO NORFOLK.
An English Journalists Account Of
What He Saw and Heard.
hooked up Business Wen -rarrie,i NJ
the Monticel,o -Anuen..h.a ma,
TO spit on tho Mo"up,en. Diu"rr
to thcI'rcss.

& In the September number of the Sta
tionery World London magazine,
published by S. Charles Phillips, NJ. S.
C.. l., there may be found some enter
tanning notes on this city and section.
Mr.. Phillips, accompanied by. his wife.
visited Norfolk on board the Pacific
and West Indian passenger and freight
steamer, Antillan, Captain Fost. Fol-
lowing are extracts from notes of his
trip:
Entering the historical waters of
Chesapeake Bay, we were with some
difficulty put alongside our. coaling
berth-known ms Lambert's Point. for
this is coaling station-at Norfolk. in
the State of Virginia. where the "baccy
comes from"-for we were short of COAL
we were -four days at Norfolk, and
during which time we visited other
we'll known cities and seaside resorts,
Including Old Point. and here must
say every comfort is provided for the
visitor, especially in the winter, in
those two palatial hotels. the Cham
ton, Newport News, Ocean View, Nor
folk naval dock-yard and hospital.
.
1 had intended running up to New
York, but time was too short-thougn
as matter of fact could have got
there i'm eight hours-there was plenty
of Interest to see around Virginia.
l looked up some of the trade and
was well received j. V. Alfriend s. Co.,
of Main street, l noticed, us occupying
a big building. They deal in paper, sta
tionery and books. Niclery & Co., In
the same Street, do n good business in
paper, stationery, fancy goods and
artists materials.
Our headquarters were at the Month
cello Hotel, truly palatial building,
and I may say here that 1t was a mat
ter of great surprise to me that such
great hotel, run on the lines of the
first class New York hotels. could ex-
list in a city of 10000 people, but i was
Informed that there was a big floating
population who patronized the house.
The rates. noted, too, We're New York
high class rates. / only hope hejhotel
will pay-for 1t Is but recently built:
1t certainly deserves every support. and
the accommodation and service is sec
and to none in this country.
AS soon as the manager found that
he had got British party on his reg
lister, he came round to us and ex-
pressed a wish that If anything was
not to our satisfaction he hoped that
we'll taken care OF at the Monticello.
.
One day we were passing a fine
monument which had been put up to
celebrate the war between the North
and South. At the base of the pedestal
the authorities had very thoughtfully
placed q signboard with the following
legend-"Do not spit on the monu-
ment!"
I was asked by newspaper man for
my views on Norfolk. and among other
questions he asked what struck me as
being the funniest thing had yet seen
in Norfolk. l Immediately quoted the
above instance
The next day one of the papers came
out with n column of what I partly
said, and another column which I didn't
say-stating that The Britisher says
that the funniest thing In Norfolk is
the sign on the monument.
On the evening before departure I
asked to be allowed to give dinner to
the Press and other ncQuaintances
made in Norfolk on board the Antillian,
to which the captain readily consented.
and I can assure you ave had a jolly
good time.
One incident during the evening-af-
ter dinner, of course-was related by
the purser the next day. One OF tho
Press men found his way into his
room. The door was open, and when
the purser discovered him he was con-
templating very earnestly the mirror
on the wall, and reflectively remark
ed, SHAY Colonel. wash big roomsh
you've gosh!'
4
Having on the fourth day got a big
supply of the Pocahontas coal aboard,
we again had a couple of tugs to tow
us down the river. and we made for
the open sea and ran into bad weather.
Public Pythian Installation.