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[For The Sunny South.] ESCAPING DESTINY. A Criticism and —What? BY JAY. Three thousand years ago, a princely bard, Unscienced (?) but inspired, foretold the death Of worlds—worlds that e'en then were lab'ring bard, In their hoar age, to catch another breath; And strong-lived worlds, and worlds in infant years, And worlds unborn that yet shall ftud their spheres. To-day I muse, and, musing, much 1 maze To see proud Science, searcher after truth. When in her search, this truth of ancient days, Brain-born of David, she discerns, 'gainst truth Passing it current with the thoughtless throng As something of her own conception sprung. Of scientists, God speed the onward gait; Of genius, honored be the honest toil, lae freely the bright beams that scintillate From the Great Lamp, aye full of heavenly oil; Yet honest credit give, fair tribute pay, While Science* brows are crown'd with well-won bay. It is the fate of worlds to pass away,— Aye, every one; not one shall miss the doom. But now suppose one star to 'scape decay, While Death's grim shadows other spheres entomb; Is it a blessing, that it thus is spared The lot that all its fellow spheres have shared? It has rejoiced in all their blended light— The beams reflected from their various suns. But they are gone. In universal night, Its wandering course henceforward it must run; Worlds, suns and systems ail are now destroyed,— Space, only space remains, forever void. On, up and down in vast-vacuity It drifts, undrawn, undriven, dark and drear— On, on alone, through all eternity, Without a kindred world far off or near. And wishes that itself had perished, too. When all its fellowB faded from its view. There will be other worlds? That's speculation. Worlds may pass out of fashion, out of date; While the Creator is, there’ll be creation, But of a type that worlds will hardly mate. Sentient existence, ever-living soul, May circle next where now the planets roll. the village of Chitamho, on the first of May, 1873, his iron frame succumbed to the series of terrible hardships he had endured and to the malarial poison with which his system was sur charged. His agony was intense, but he bore it with his usual fortitude, and to the last was thoughtful of others, and desired to give his attendants as little care as possible. As death approached, a stupor overtook him, and he made no dying statement; but when the faith ful watchers, who had left him a few moments, returned to the tent, they found him in the atti tude of prayer, kneeling by the bed, his head buried in his hands upon the pillow. For a minute they watched him. He did not stir, and there was no sign of breathing; they advanced to him softly, and laid a hand upon his cheek; it was cold—Livingstone was dead. “The trav eler's perfect rest had come.” He left abundant notes, written upon every available scrap of paper, in the simple, modest der from grand cathedral organs—you forget that you are listening to the most severely scien tific and classical music on this side of the Atlan tic. and give yourself up to the sensuous delight of the hour. Thomas' Garden is now under the business management of the Messrs. Appleby, and seems to have received a new impetus. Since this last cold snap, which has hurried the blooming Aphrodites home from the seaside and the fleet-footed Atalantas down from the tops of snow-crested mountains, everything has put on a brisk, busy aspect. The large stores are crowded with a busy, chattering crowd of shop pers. the streets throng with bright groups of “Recent Caricatures in England,” “The South Kensington Museum,” and one or two pretty poems. The Galeuy continues its two delightful serials, “Lady Disdain ” and “Leah." the latter one of the brightest, sauciest, and at the same time most pathetic stories that Mrs. Edwards has yet written. Rose Terry Cooke contributes a sweet poem. “Genevieve,” which will win for her many a mother's heart. Saxe points out in tine. pitied the little Marchioness: the night was very warm, and she would keep that odious big hat perched on the back of her hea l, her neck muffled up to her ears in some species of ruck ing. She engaged in the dance that followed, however, with as much zest as any one. Oliver Twist and Nancy Sykes gave some of the most pathetic portions of their lives, with much effect. A new plan of public evening worship has laughing school-girls, and the city begins to look ours just past has been a perfect deluge, no two gay and lively. days being without either a half dozen April theatres. showers or a pouring rain. Mrs. Ford either The Julia Matthews English Comic Opera wrote her poem in advance or was picturing some Company have become a success at Wallack’s, other August. and are still playing “Bulotte,” a new version sparkling verses the unmistakable symptoms of been adopted among the churches this season, the “grande passion." Emily E. Ford gives aj All the Episcopal ministers have decided to strong picture of a “Rainless August” in a few unite and hold service in each other’s churches, musical verses, but we are not just in the humor | alternately, once a month. I thought I had to delight in descriptions of rainless Augusts, as I never seen a more impressive sight than when. of “Barbe Bleue.” Miss Matthews is a pleasing, manner of one who loved truth so well that he sprightly actress in the Aimee style, and has a OUR PORTRAIT GALLERY. BIOGRAPHICAL SKETC H OF REV. DAVII) LIVINGSTONE. BY MARY E. BRYAN. We present our readers, in the present num ber of The Sunny South, with a life-like por trait of David Livingstone, the great traveler and explorer of Africa. The face is a study— rugged but strong, full of the determination that was the man’s pre-eminent characteristic. ! The deep-set eye holds a smouldering fire that tells of a fervid and active nature - one^ whose tameless energies could not be tied down to the | routine of ordinary life. His passion for roving ! and adventure, and his longing to try the strength of his endurance and courage in battling with unknown dangers, constituted the primal im pulse that moved him to his life of wandering and research; but to these must be added the love of science and love of his fellow-men. He possessed a sincere desire to add by his researches i to the stores of science and to aid in removing the profound ignorance of the physical features of the great African region; and he cherished a fervent hope that he might open up the way of moral benefit to the benighted children of that | land, and might aid in healing slavery, which j he honestly held to be, as he expressed it, “the j great open sore of the world.” Such were the “marching orders” of this great man the first to set foot on the shores of vast inland seas who filled up by his discoveries a ! mighty space in the map of Africa, and who, with the “simple appliances of his bodily stat ure for a sounding-pole and his stalwart stride for a measuring-tape, laid down new rivers by I the hundreds." With a keen eye, backed by indomitable activ- ! itv and perseverance, he added a vast fund of information not only to physical geography, but to natural science his journals containing in- numerable notes on the habits of animals, birds and fishes, and on phenomena in every direc tion which caught his quick eye as he moved among the gorgeous scenes of this strange and beautiful world. David Livingstone possessed a constitution of wonderful vitality. It would have made him a centenarian had he not drawn such fearful draughts upon it. It carried him up to the age of sixty-eight, when he died “with harness on,” in the wilds of Africa, nursed by his devoted native servants, Snsi and Churna. He was born in Diva, one of the Hebrides—spending his boy hood, however, upon the Clyde above Glasgow, and laboring in a factory from his ninth year until manhood. So, like all our greatest men, he sprang from the people. Hungering for knowledge, he bought a Latin grammar with his first week's wages, and studied it while at work and at night school. While yet a boy, he became a Christian, but he had never any love for the dry orthodoxy of most religious works; his enthusiastic spirit craved more vital aliment. He became acquainted with Dick's works when he was nineteen years old, and found himself in full sympathy with them. His appetite for books of’ travel was insatiable, and he conceived the idea of becoming a missionary to China, and to prepare for this, he studied medicine. He was diverted from this purpose by the war in China, and turned his attention to Africa, whither he went under the patronage of the British For eign Mission Board, in 1840. In 1860. he departed from Zanzibar, in his search for the true sources of the Nile. After penetrating far into the savage wilds, he was for a long time lost to the world, no tidings of him reaching his relatives in England, and it was believed that he was dead. The New York Her ald. with its usual spirit of enterprise and lib erality. sent Mr. Stanley, at the sole expense of the proprietor, to find Livingstone and to carry him supplies, medicine, and means of trans portation for continuing his travels or for return ing to England. Stanley reached him not a moment too soon. Ill, exhausted, half starved, and nearlv naked, even his gigantic fortitude had almost given way when the unexpected suc cor arrived. But it was in vain that Stanley urged him to return. He still longed to prose cute his life-work. It had taken hold upon him with a fascination he could not shake off. He entrusted to Mr. Stanley, for consignment to his daughter. Agnes Livingstone, a large, sealed journal, which contained his observations up to that date, and continued his explorations on the shores of Lake Nyassa, Bangweolo, and Lake of Tanganyika. He wrote in his dav-book thus: “On rebru- ary or March of 1874, 'if it please the Almighty Disposer of events. I shall complete my task /and return home.’ But it was not to be. In The Atlantic is always full of interest. The writers for this number are known and loved in every cultivated household. — Holmes, Henry James, T. B. Aldrich, Harriet Prescott Spofford, and others. Scribner has two fine illustrated articles—one on Chicago, the other on Guernsey and Sark — the latter containing a beautiful interior view of Victor Hugo's residence (or rather drawing-room) at Guernsey, Besides a rich treat of both prose and verse, Scribner gives an early poem from Edgar Poe (facsimile), which is full of sadness and Poe’s peculiar bitterness, though it was written when he was only nineteen years old. Appleton is always a welcome guest and would be received joyously if it only contained the sparkling Paris letters of Mrs. Hooper and Neil Williams’ London correspondence. De Forest’s “Playing the Mischief” is a purely American novel, and gives us a vivid, amusing picture of life in Washington and the intrigues and adventures of pretty lobbyists and bewitched Congressmen. In the present case, it is Josie Murray who has a claim (somewhat unstable and imaginative, although it is a barn and farm stock), and Mr. De Forest gives a very piquante, laugh able history of her blandishments and witcher ies, introducing “Squire Nancy Appleby,” a “ bloomerite ” of the most exaggerated type, and Miss Cohen, a Congressional painter, who, through the influence of a pair of tender eyes and the beguilementsof a honeyed tongue, man ages to lobby through the most atrocious daubs. Mr. De Forest has given us much better books than “Playing the Mischief,” particularly in “Kate Beaumont” and “Overland,” but “Play ing the Mischief,” is at least entertaining and a faithful picture of the time and people of which which it treats. Taine’s “Notes on Paris,” translated by John Austen Stevens, is full of wit and wisdom, and if it is at times a little too Frenchy in introduc ing you to the company of grisettes and lorettes, it is never done in a coarse manner, and always in a way that shows up the least attractive side ot the Mabille and the Rue Cadet, and points out to us the ghastly skeletons and hideous death-heads hidden under the rouge and the roses. And he carries you often into stately sa lons, and into the society of delicate and accom plished ladies and courtly, learned men. And through the whole, the bon-mots and flashes of repartee shine out as bright and clustering as yellow jasmines in a Southern “hammock.” FASHIONS. Plaids in soft woolens and serges, combined with plain colors of the prevailing color, are still the sensation, and are very effective, partic ularly for tall figures. Plaids are worn in suits, shirts, cuffs and collars by gentlemen, and one can have his note paper to match if he should * I fancy it. Hats are shown already in felt, mainly was in constant fear of exaggerating. \\ hen good voice, which she manages very cleverly, in gray and dove colors, and are in the Derbv paper and ink failed, he wrote with the juice ot , She has many of Aimees “tricks and manners,” and sailor shapes, the latter with a soft, wide a tree across old newspapers yellow with African is an English translation of tkj^t almost untrans- brim, somewhat turned up in front, and are damp. These notes, so valuable to geographical J latable little French idiom. We are promised trimmed with soft, short ostrich tips. The and natural science, were preserved in his bat-; two personations of the Melancholy Dame—one “ Rousby ” is the prevailing rage. It falls low tered tin traveling cases, and brought to Eng- ; by Mr. Barry Sullivan, at Booth’s Theatre (Jar- i over the face and is turned up behind; sole land by h.s faithful attendants, where they have rett A Palmer), and the other by Mr. E. L. trimming, an immensely long tissue scarf and a been deciphered and published in a volume en- Davenport, at the Grand Opera House, with an short bird’s wing; with gray scarfs, scarlet wings; titled “ Last Journals of Livingstone. j entire American support. The managers of this with navy blue, white, and with white scarfs His devoted followers succeeded, through in- theatre, being retired actors, desire to try this (for these are sometimes seen), gray wings or a credible difficulties and dangers, in bearing the j as an experiment and from a desire to give Amer- vari-colored bird. This “ Rousby ” hat is very body through the African wilds and hostile set- j ican actors a fair showing. stylish, but is rather “fast,” and gives to the tlements to the coast, whence it was conveyed j The “Gilded Age,” with the unapproachable most demure face a kind of “devil-may-care” to his native land. "" ’ " ' ' " *’ .. . . .... at Christ’s Church the other evening, the pro cession of white-robed clergy entered and knelt around the altar, while the deep-toned organ, touched by a master-hand, pealed forth the grand voluntary. The various choirs have suffered from the usual summer flights. It is not comine Hfant for any one to remain in town during the heated term. The Academy of Music has presented a new feature for the entertainment of its habitues — religious services every Sunday evening by the Presbyterian and Methodist clergy. It seemed odd at first to see that eloquent divine. Dr. Palmer, stand forth on that stage, in the same spot where so many gay disciples of Thespis have won their laurels — where everything breathes of the world, worldly, — to see him rise and solemnly adjure the assembled crowd, “Let us pray.” The season has been a success ful one; ministers of the gospel have drawn as full houses as the most celebrated stars, and, to the satisfaction of the people here, have refuted the theory of the Rev. Dr. Talmadge, that the atmosphere of a theatre must necessarily be tainted with vice. Many of our citizens have remained at home this year, tempted by the pleasant weather and remarkable healthiness of the city, or — irnpecu- niosity. However, some must make-believe they have gone; so front doors and blinds are kept closed and door-plates taken off, until the return of friends and neighbors give notice that they may emerge from the back rooms and closets into actual presence, and sunshine is admitted into the long-darkened parlors. A sensational report of yellow fever at Pasca goula created a momentary excitement, but the medical staff sent by the board of health found there had been but a few cases, most of which Dr. Herrick attributed to bedding used by a man who died last year from yellow fever, and which had been packed away in a closet unused until the late victims came in possession of it. No one here anticipates a visitation of the scourge. Of course the mortuary list is somewhat inflated by murders, suicides, and other similar acci dents, which will occur in all large cities. Sui ciding, especially, has been almost epidemic within the past year. An excellent sheet, The Weekly Budget, consid ered the best in matter and execution ever pub lished here, furnishes entertaining reading every Sunday morning. A contribution to enjoyment in the city has been the plentifulness of fruit. Large quanti ties from all parts of the surrounding country are continually coming in, and we think very cheap—peaches and apples at fifty cents a box. Private parties might sell them much cheaper; but as soon as a cargo comes in, the Dagos who monopolize the fruit trade and use stilettoes for argument, surround it, and brandishing their long knives, keep off outsiders who would like to buy on similar terms; but the knives are con vincing, and the Dagos become masters of the fruit. The rain still patters, patters, covering streets and banquettes, and if fears of planters are to be heeded, it will cover country and crops; and then good-by to the brilliant season, when we all expect cotton to be king, and sugar, queen ! Au revoir. Flora Belle. [For The Sunny South.] LETTER FROM NEW YORK. Raymond as t 'alone! Sellers still holds its own look that is not desirable. ut the Union Square. Belts are made in chain links of silver, steel or Daly’s Fifth Avenue is giving the “Big Bo- Russia leather, through which are woven bright nanza ” this week, to follow with the Mexican ribbons to match or contrast with the costume. Juvenile Opera Troupe in the “Grand Duchess.” Chatelaine pockets are shown in filagree silver Leaving Savannah in midsummer, when that £ he P«“ a , donna ’ ‘ Senorda Carmen Unda Y lined with bright-colored silks and attached to beautiful city had put on her dust-colored robes I *\° ron < * hat s .. m a name ? J ls onl J T «gk years the belt by a strong chain of silver and sat down to sleep in the sunshine, we seemed old ’ and th f/" d '7 and rndemen of her troupe Striped stockings still the favorite wear not to sail right into the heart of a blooming land f an ° e fr ° m the advanced age of six years to the only tor children, but for gentlemen and adies, — - - 1 hoary old age ot nine ! I have no doubt it will and some of them are so delicate and costly that be very charming and pretty, but doesn't it seem the}’ bring from ten to fifteen dollars a pair, a little like the murder of the Innocents ? The fashionable wrap is the Cardinal, a short The Kiralfys open this (Thursday) evening cape formed of alternate rows of guipure lace 1 111 til pi r “ A Tnnml flip WgtI/1 of flip AoodarmT ovwl inf tv era TLpoq motnviolc will Vio rnnloond full of freshness, verdure and beauty. This is known here as the “heated term ”—the dull sea son: but to unaccustomed and provincial eyes, theadreets seem alive with activity and bustling crowds. Still, we know that the city is de serted that all who can go away are gone or going to the mountains, sea-side, lakes, quiet valleys, mineral springs, and humdrum country villages. Among the most favored resorts may be men tioned Long Branch and Saratoga—of course — Newport. Niagara, White Mountains, Lake Ma- hopac. New Brighton, L. I., Rye Beach, Lake George, West Point, Richfield Springs, etc., etc. The list is endless, and the attractions offered at each one is astounding. It is quite a fixed fact that New Yorkers must go away, if not for the whole season, for six, four or two weeks: and it is quite melancholy to stroll up the avenues and see the rows of deserted, shut-up “brown-stone fronts.” Whether they are really entirely de serted or not is a question, as some nltra-fash- ionables who can’t go away, or have been forced to return before the season is over at the springs, are known to retire into their back rooms, live as quietly as hermits, and thereby win the glo rious renown of "being out of town." I know of one lady who was forced to return to the city for a week to look after weighty business mat- witli their “Around the World”at the Academy and jet fringe. These materials will be replaced of Music, which has been in preparation several by cashmere and yak laces as the cool weather weeks, and promises to eclipse anything seen in comes on. By my next letter, there will be the spectacular line in many a day. Mrs. Levy, many novelties in dress. wife of the famous cornetist, formerly Miss Ma- The dry goods merchants, dealers in fancy rianne Conway, is one of the leading ladies in articles and modistes are hurrying home by every this play. ; steamer, laden with German and French spoils The San Francisco Minstrels, with the side- to delight the female heart and drive the hard- splitting Baehus and the sweet-voiced Wambold, ; worked heads of families half wild over their reopen soon. day-books and account sales. And soon in this Dan Bryant’s old haunt is occupied by Cotton extravagant, luxury-loving, money-spending city & Reed’s Minstrels, and is now known as Dar- the great Vanity Fair of 1875 will open. ling’s Opera House. It will be many a day be fore the genial Dan is forgotten, and he has a lasting monument in the hearts of thousands that he has sent away light and happy who en tered his doors world-worn, weary and jaded. His friends, theatrical and otherwise, have not forgotten his family, and the subscriptions, up to last accounts, reached the snug little sum of between sixteen and seventeen thousand dollars. There are dozens of minor amusements, and the theatrical world is beginning to open its eyes, put on its stage-smiles, and prepare to “do and die ” before the footlights. Edwin Booth is recovering from his accident, and it is now quite certainly believed that he Mel. R. Colquitt. ters. who maintained the strictest privacy, see ing onlv a few intimate friends, who were let , , ,, . , . - , „ into the secret and through a side door, and she wlH be able t0 kee P bls ^gagments for the com- didn't even go to her own church the Sunday she was in town, because she did not care to have it known ! And this woman was a refined, intellectual woman of assured standing and— will you credit it?—common sense. A great, helpless wail goes up from the water ing-places because of the fearfully heart-rending dearth of beaux. “He cometh not,” she said, but is oft' at yacht-races, pigeon-matches, salmon- fisheries—anywhere but basking in the beaming smiles of Miss Flirtilla Bullion and the Misses Golddust. So, to many of these poor warrior- esses who strapped on their delicate French sandals and girded themselves in artistic ban dages of satin and tulle for the summer contest, it has proved but a dreary failure. But they still hope .that September will surely bring the coveted article, and deck themselves daily “ in gloss of satin and glimmer of pearls for the Among recent books is a delicious little vol- “ coming race. , time of “Exotics,” full of beautv and perfume. I suppose you all know about Gilmores Gar- xiie collection is a number of translations from den. and that a lengthy description would be Heine . Goethe , Geibel K i icker t, Horace, Lucre- out of place: but I must add in passing, one ti and others from Dr . j. F and Miss L little laurel leaf to the tame of those who eon- clark of Boston . Among them .< Xhe Tw0 An _ ceived and executed this fairy land for grown g e ] s ” and “Ebb and Flow ” are the best. “The folks. Gilmore s Garden is more central than ^ and the B •• is short eno h and j Thomas, and more attractive in floral decora- enoucdl to quote- tion; but Thomas'is far more satisfying to lovers ° ^ of good music. The names of “Andantes,” “To a darning needle once exclaimed the kitchen sieve.— “Symphonies,” “Interludes,” and “Invoca- ‘You’ve^ hoteright through your body; I wonder how tions, sound quite imposing to uncultivated But the needle (who was sharp) replied: ‘I, too, have ears, and somewhat awe-inspiring, and I have wondered - * — " That you notice my one hole when in vou there are a ing season. Montague, the handsome English actor, is ex pected back again during the winter, and I sup pose Tiffany will have to order another bushel of lockets to be given him by the love-lorn “Ophelias” and “Paulines” of "Madison Square and Fifth Avenue. The great event of the season will be the arri val on our shores of Madame Titiens, accompa nied by the w«rld-famons pianiste, Madame Arabella Goddard. Miss Bateman has the exclusive right to act Tennyson's “Queen Mary” ih England and this country. It will be played by the young trage dienne, Miss Dargon. for whom Mr. Stephen Fiske, manager of the Fifth Avenue, is drama tizing it—that is. fitting it up for the stage. NEW BOOKS. heard people say: “Oh! let’s go to Gilmore’s; we can't understand Thomas’ music.” But in the exquisite, faultless harmony of Thomas’ or chestra—at times as delicate and silvery as elfin flutes, again as sonorous and deep as the thun- hundred.’ ” The magazines for September are as usual a feast of instruction and a flow of entertainment. Harper gives us a paper from Porte Crayon. [For The Sunny South.] LETTER FROMJIEW ORLEANS. Just the faintest breath of autumn has come to us within the past day or two. The cool breezes and sombre-looking days remind us of the fad ing and falling of the leaves; that is, they would do so were we living in the country, but as we bide in a thickly-settled city, other things are brought to mind, though still in the nature of changes. The aforesaid leaves know always what colors to assume —crimson, gold, brown, scarlet, ever the same gorgeous hues—while we poor moftals must worry our brain to catch the latest tint in ecru, navy blue, and faiUe, each season brings so many changes. Until winter fairly sets in, it is difficult to get anything to answer for a stylish toilette; between the seasons, nothing is decided, and one has to fall back on the remnants of last spring’s cam paign. After all, the seven cent calicoes are still most in demand, and made up of two dif ferent colors,—the dotted trimmed with ruffles and puffs of the striped, and vice versa; they are as fashionable as anything else. The mer chants ought to have made enough selling these goods to buy all their winter stock. What a pretty effect the ecru Hamburg has over black grenadine or white, with the profuse loops of narrow ribbon worn at the side for sashes ! Amusements are at a somewhat low ebb now— people are too much occupied preparing to make money this fall. The skating rink, however, still draws its weekly collection of amateurs and vis itors. It is a lively exercise, though a trifle warm in August. As one watches the young ladies floating, sailing or skimming (which is the ap propriate term?) over the large hall, the convic tion comes that roller-skating is indeed the true poetry of motion. There have been no extensive entertainments since the “ Martha Washington Tea Parties ” and “Ye Old Folkes’ Concerts,” which afforded us so much pleasure during the spring and early summer, and then in June the “Dickens Party.” That was something quite unique. The origin ators of the scheme, and those who chose, pre sented tableaux representing characters and scenes from that great novelists' different works. Micawber was of course the best —taken off to the life by a jolly, round-faced genius. I really [For The Sunny South.] LETTER FROM BLUE RIDGE. The gayety of the season is not yet percepti bly on the wane, and though there are many de partures, fresh arrivals take their places. On the eleventh instant, we had a grand ball, to whose brilliancy the beauty and fashion of Lynchburg largely contributed. The toilettes of the ladies were superb. Silks rustled, pearls and diamonds flashed as their owners floated by, and rare laces conjured up visions of fairy frost work. Seated next my entertaining friend, Mrs. G. W. R., I enjoyed the evening delightfully, discussing notabilities, criticising different fig ures in the gay and shifting panorama before us, and listening to gossipy “dots” from the lips of my lively friend. They dance both the German and the Cuban here. Some new arrivals set the example of the waltz a la Poland, which rather shocked our ideas of delicacy and good taste, as its aljawloH was rather pronounced; and the head reclining on the masculine shoulder, the supple figure leaning against him, almost supported, in fact, by his arm, was suggestive of old Parson Brown- low’s comical remark when he first beheld this style of waltzing,—“She leans up to him like a sick kitten to a hot brick.” However, our fair lady waltzers either soon recovered their good sense and native modesty, or else their partners grew tired of supporting the lovely burdens at the-present height of the thermometer, and so the waltz a la Poland is no longer seen among us. To vary the amusements, a party of “our set” made an excursion to Alleghany Springs, our route lying through the mountains, whose grand scenery filled us with wonder and delight We found the springs greatly crowded, so much so that, catching glimpses of familiar faces in the dining-hall, we could only nod and smile, not being able to make our way to them, as they were unable to approach us. However, one of our party, who has proclaimed himself a confirmed bachelor, met there with an adventure that may chance to reclaim him from his vow of single blessedness. He made the ac quaintance of a charming widow, not a gay or a fast one (the usual types to meet at watering- places), but a gentle, sweet-voiced, fascinating person, whose smile bids fair to revive the bloom of love that an early disappointment prematurely blighted. I shall await the sequel of this ad venture with considerable interest I amuse myself watching the various flirta tions, many of which are now in their last stages, and must soon culminate either in a diamond solitaire and prospective matrimony, or in a puff of nothingness -a verse of the “Flirt’s Farewell,” a careless “adieu” and brilliant smile that may serve to hide an aching heart and disappointed hopes. • I think, however, one of our gay Lotha rios, who has long “basked in the smile of universal beauty,” has been fairly captured by a bright-eyed Virginia belle, in whose toils he has become quite meek and humble. We have no church here at present, and relig ious service is held in the ball-room, but it is purposed to build a handsome chapel shortly; and surely here the religious idea has sustain ing food in the sublime scenery which surrounds us, and the effect of which is to exalt the emo tions and elevate our conception of the mighty Power who reared these soaring summits and lit them with the opaline beauty of moonlight and the crimson glory of sunset On the west side is a beautiful hill, to which we walk every even ing that we may see the sunset from the summit, and watch the gradual fading of the broad cloud-bands of gold, purple and crimson. I would like to send you some of the witti cisms, the local pleasantries and “jokes of the season ” that enliven us daily, but like the dew on the flower, they would be brushed off by the transit; so au revoir. Lena.