The Mechanical Benevolent Society was organized this year. In addition to the benevolent objects of this association, there is a provision by which the amount paid in by a member, is returned two-fold to his family after his death. The annual income at this time amounts to about $3000. It was incorporated by Act of Assembly, January 19th, 1811.

The following is the list of the places of amusement and recreation in Norfolk and vicinity at this date, many of which continued for years after:-A theatre, the Wigwam Gardens, Vauxhall Gardens and Baths, Rosainville's Bower, Lindsay's Retreat, Museum Naturæ, and Botanical Gardens.

These were all pretty well attended and sustained. The gardens were frequented on Sundays, and on the evenings of the other days of the week; and they were crowded on public occasions. Not one of these places now remains. This may be some evidence of the improvement in the morals of the community, to whom it is hoped the churches, the family circle, the social evening party, and interesting books, present sufficient attraction to supersede the necessity of any of the above-named places of amusement; although it is not denied that well-conducted gardens, affording the means of innocent recreation, and a pleasant retreat from the noise and bustle of the city, without furnishing the means of, and presenting temptations to, intemperance and dissipation, and encouraging the profanation of the Lord's day, would be a valuable acquisition to the city, and meet with the countenance and support of the public.

The places above alluded to, probably received their principal support from visiters, and from foreigners and other persons connected with the shipping. But our citizens, old and young, the fair daughters of Norfolk especially, feel the want of some agreeable and pleasant place of resort as a promenade. We have no pleasant and inviting parks* or groves here, in which to take an evening ramble, and enjoy the balmy breezes in spring, summer, and autumn times; with cheering strains of

*The public parks of New York City are 10 in number, and embrace a space of more than 170 acres. The public parks in Philadelphia are 11 in number, and cover a large space of ground.

music to calm the troubled, agitated soul after the turmoil of the day; or, at "morning's earliest hour," to listen with delight to the cheerful notes of the feathered songsters of the grove.*

The expediency of condemning the property west of Bank Street, opposite the City Hall, and of filling up the water-lots and Back Creek, between Bank and Granby Streets, for a public square, has been favourably considered by the councils. This would be an improvement of very great utility to the city, and, doubtless, increase the healthfulness, as well as the good appearance of the place.

"The accomplishment of such a work has long been considered a desideratum to the improvement of the city, and, independent of the removal of such an unsightly spectacle from the very heart of the town, it will contribute in other respects to its substantial advancement. We hope that the matter will be taken up in earnest by the two councils, and pressed with energy to its successful completion."

January 11, 1811. Act of Assembly passed, authorizing the corporation to erect lamps for the purpose of lighting the streets.

January 5, 1812. This day was set apart by the Mayor for an expression, on the part of the citizens, of condolence on account of an awful calamity, that had fallen upon the city of Richmond-the burning of the theatre on the night of the 26th December of the preceding year, by which more than seventy lives were lost. Governor Smith, and other distinguished individuals, were among the victims;-a most heart-rending scene, one of those sudden and dreadful visitations that baffles all attempts at description. The inhabitants of the borough of Nor

* In the flourishing city of Memphis, on the Mississippi, in Tennessee, there are large natural groves; and, but recently, the wild birds were warbling there, and sporting among the dense green foliage of the tall forest trees.

The theatre at Capo d'Istria, in Italy, fell, and crushed the performers and audience to death, February 6th, 1794.

The theatre at Mentz was destroyed by fire during the performance, and, on the falling in of which, many were crushed to death, and above seventy burnt, August, 1796.

The first play-house ever erected was that of Bacchus, at Athens, by Philos, B. C. 420. The ruins still exist.

folk, with those of other places, exhibited suitable evidences of their profound sorrow for the mournful event.

The civil authorities, officers of the Army and Navy, the volunteer companies, and an immense concourse of citizens, slowly marched, with solemn music, through the streets. An urn was carried in the procession; the bells tolled a funeral knell, and an appropriate discourse was delivered. The Herald states, that " a more solemn and impressive scene was never witnessed in the borough."

September 5, 1812.

A private in Lieutenant Swift's corps of marines, stationed at the Navy Yard, having been sentenced t', be shot, for deserting his post while on guard, this was the day appointed for his execution. "The awful moment was announced by the solemn roll of the drum; the delinquent was conducted from the prison, with the usual ceremonies customary on such occasions, and led to the fatal spot where he was to suffer. The whole detachment were under arms, twelve of whom were selected to execute the sentence. When the procession halted, the lieutenant delivered an address, of which the following is an extract:

"Soldiers!-An awful scene is now presented for your contemplation. You behold before you one of your comrades, about to pay the forfeit of that crime, which it has been my constant duty to warn you against; he enlisted to serve his country—and deserted. In peace, this is a crime of the first magnitude, and

Theatres were first introduced into England in 1566; opposed by the Puritans in 1633; revived by Charles II., 1660.

"Plays are unbecoming and pernicious pastimes."-SOCRATES.

"They raise the passions, and pervert the use of them; and are, consequently, dangerous to morality."-PLATO.

"They are lascivious vanities and contagious evils."-PLUTARCH.

66

"Plays are pernicious, and corrupt youth."--SIR MATTHEW HALE.

"One play-house ruins more souls than fifty churches can save."-JUDGE BULSTRADE.

"Mr. Macready, the eminent tragedian, now resides at Sherborne, in the bosom of a most interesting family of twelve children. Among many excellent rules for the government of his family, is one from which, it is said, he has never deviated. It is that no one of his children should ever, on any pretence, enter a theatre, or have any visiting connexion with actors or actresses."

its penalty death; how enormous then is the transgression of this man, who has deserted his country in her hour of peril.

"The benefit of the service requires that he suffer death, and, in a few moments, he will be launched into eternity! I beseech you, soldiers, to take warning from his fate; fulfil the solemn obligations enjoined upon you, and refrain from the guilty path into which he has wandered to his own destruction.'

"At the conclusion of the speech a solemn pause ensued ;-a signal was given, and immediately the engines of death were aimed at the devoted victim;-another pause, and the arm of death was arrested. An officer rushed through the crowd, holding a paper in his hand. It was a reprieve!"

CHAPTER XIV.

1813.

War Declared-Warlike Preparations - Battle of Craney Island-Enemy's Fleet and Troops--Dreadful Execution of our Guns-Shameful Depredations of the British-Incidents of the Battle-Letter from General R. B. TaylorExtracts from the Herald.

CONGRESS having declared war against Great Britain, Norfolk was, of course, from its position, expected to be a prominent point of attack; therefore, a large force was concentrated here, and preparations were made to give the enemy a warm reception, whenever he might find it convenient to pay a visit to the hospitable old borough.

June 22, 1813. On this memorable day Craney Island was attacked by the British, and defended in a manner that reflected lasting honour upon the noble band of heroes who took part in that important battle, as well as upon the State and country at

large. It was indeed a brilliant affair. The cool deliberation and mature judgment; the bravery and enthusiasm which were so strikingly manifested on the occasion by our comparatively small force, and the complete success of the day, all united to render this battle one of the most decisive and victorious that occurred during the war.

Craney Island lies about five miles from Norfolk, commanding the inward approach from Hampton Roads; and on its defence depended the safety of the borough, as well as of Portsmouth and the surrounding country. The splendid repulse of the enemy there, doubtless, prevented a more severe and bloody conflict, if not an exhibition of inhumanity and barbarity similar to that which took place at Hampton, shortly after this engage

ment.

The fortifications of this small island were ordered by Major General Wade Hampton, during his command of this district, and the works were executed under the direction of Colonel Armistead.

The enemy's fleet had come up to Newport's News on the 21st, and were soon in readiness to cover the intended attack of the boats on the following day. The British presented a very formidable and imposing array. There were about twenty vessels, consisting of seventy-fours, frigates, and transports, and an armed force of about 4000 men.

A small battery was erected by the Virginians on the island, mounting one eighteen-pounder, two twenty-four, and four sixpounders. Our force consisted, principally, of about 400 militiamen, one company of riflemen, and two companies of light artillery, one of which was commanded by Captain Arthur Emerson, of Portsmouth. General Robert B. Taylor, the commanding officer of the District at this time, increased this small force by a detachment of 30 men from Fort Norfolk,* commanded by

* This is a circular brick fort, on the north side of the river, and about a mile from the western limits of the city. It has been long neglected, and is fast falling into ruins. Fort Norfolk is situated nearly opposite the U. S. Naval Hospital, the site of old Fort Nelson. These forts were, of course, intended to guard the entrance to the inner harbour. During the war, an immense chain was extended across the river from these two points.