The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1903-08-13
Annapolis-A Vision OF the Old.

ANNAPOLIS, MD, August 6.-Thc tray
eller, as he looks through the dusty WIN
dow of his train slowly crossing the great
Severn draw-bridge, beholds with sur
prise the giant cranes and tall scatfolds,
that rise high up in the air about two
miles below the bridge. As the tram
crosses the bridge, one has time to catch
only glimpse of the magnificent view
to be seen from it.
Quickly the train crosses the river ana
after passing several curves finally pulls
into the station.
Aliyhting from the car upon the plat
form of an old depot, one beholds with
feeling of delight, the great oaks and
naples, which are Oh all sides. The old
trees have braved the storms of many
years, and still live as monument to the
men, who planted them in the seven
teenth century.
A group of little negroes, typical of a
Southern state, rush at the new conner,
all eager to make dime by carrying his
grip. "Pll tote it all de way to de yard
for dime, SUI" they cry. Scarcely
knowing where he is being led, the visitor
follows, wondering what is meant by the
yard" Telling his guide to turn from
the yard" to the nearest hotel-a
remark which is met with a downcast
look on the shining black face, he pres
emily arrives at the city inn, Carvel
Hall. The little negro seems to think
that the visitor has made a mistake and
insists that he 60 on to "de yard" Anx-
ious to ascertain what and where is the
yard, the little negro is closely ques-
toned and finally gives out that out Of
every five hundred visitors to Annapolis
four hundred and ninety-nine 90 to the
Naval Academy, which is known to all
as the yard"
Passing through the gate, an old fash
ioned iron structure brought over from
England, one ascends long flight of
steps, which leads to broad piazza, ex-
tending completely around the house.
Pausing at the door, the old knocker is
raised and, as the dull thud echoes
through the hall, one recalls this famous
old house-made so by prominent mod
ern novelist.
Soon the door with its wide mahogany
panels and snowy knobs slowly opens
and the stranger is welcomed by son of
the old South. His silvery locks hang
down upon his shoulders, his piercing
eyes are deep set, his deep eyebrows are
drawn, his shoulders are stooped-his
every feature tells of poverty; but the
ring of his voice assures you that al
though poverty is felt, it will never be
expressed. With deep bow and a
hearty hand shake he welcomes you to
his home.
Caryel Hall is a hotel, but should one
be So thoughtless as to ask for board, his
host would feel personally insulted. Here
the traveller is visitor, no register is
kept, and, when the bill is paid, it is for
the room l have occupied" In the
spacious hall, one sees furniture brought
over from England. There is the coat Of
arms of the Caryel family, and there on
the wall hang the paintings of the ances-
tors of your proud host. He takes great
interest in telling you the personal his
tory of each of the fine faces on the
wall. There is one who fought in the
War of the Roses; there is one being
conferred with the order of knighthood; :;
there is one in the throes of death on the
field of Naseby; there is the first to come
to America, and SO on with the whole
line, ne tells their history.
Every corner in the old house has some
peculiar point of interest attached to it.
On the broad piazza one still can sit in
the old-fashioned rocker From here is
an excellent view of the town. On both
sides of the narrow, crooked lanes are
houses crumbling with age-their walls
are clad with ivy, which was at first only
planted beside the great wide chimneys.
Over on the right can be seen the spire
of the famous old St. Anne's Episcopal
Church built in 1910 and its famous old
church yard. Over on the left is the
State Capitol with its stately chambers,
which echoed alike with the words of
great men as they debated the cause Of
the Revolution and the cause of States
Rights.
The streets are quite interesting. Some
are narrow and straight, others broad
and crooked The most curious of all,
however, are the circles. These are the
streets, which were laid out by the early
colonists, and are in the shape OF perfect
circles. One, not knowing the town,
will find it very difficult to keep from
retracing his steps for hours at time.
The streets still bear the names given
them in the early days. For instance,
one will pass along Prince street, Duke
of Gloucester street, Queen Ann street,
King George street, and Berefot street.
When night falls the traveller slowly
wanders back to the inn, and is again
met by the host. Before allowing him
to retire, he brings out from the glitter
ing side-board decanter and fills up the
glasses with his famous Maryland wine.
Now he is at his best, and proudly boasts
of his ancestors, his wealth before the
war, his old home, its fair mistress, his
brave SONS, and his beautiful daughter.
He tell of the sport he once had with his
hounds, and of the great men he has
entertained. Finally, as if he recalled
his present poverty, his eyes glisten, his
head falls back upon the cushioned chair
and soon he is asleep-the great charac-
teristic of Southern gentleman before
the war.
The visitor picks up an old candelabra
and, leaving his host, retires to his room.
'Tis of the same general appearance as
the others. Here is cold South" i'm
printed on everything. The high ma
hogany bed with its snowy coyerlet and
silk canopy. The furniture is of the
same style as that in other old houses,
too numerous to be separately considered
in such short letter
Thus We have drawn US picture, how
ever rudely it may be sketched, yet true
in detail, of the old Annapolis. To fol-
low will be the new Annapolis, scenes in
the yard"
ITO be continued).
Eat All YAu Want.