appropriate addresses were delivered by Rev. Mr. Wadsworth, of the Methodist Church, to the children, and by Rev. Mr. Caldwell, of the Episcopal Church, to the officers and teachers. The remarks of the reverend gentlemen were highly appropriate, and well calculated to inspire all present with an increased devotion to, and interest in, a cause, upon which rest in a great measure the hopes of the country—a cause which has been so abundantly blessed by Heaven, and whose influences, for time and eternity, are far beyond the limited stretch of the imagination of man. During this and the following years, and, in fact, for several years antecedent to 1846, considerable excitement was produced in the minds of quite a large portion of the community by the Temperance Reformation. The reformed inebriate and talented lecturer, John B. Gough, and others, visited the city, and delivered addresses to large assemblages; very many persons took the pledge of total abstinence from all intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and numbers of inebriates were apparently reformed. This, it must be admitted, is a useful and a good cause, and its tendency has, to a great extent, been advantageous and beneficial to the community. And yet it cannot be reasonably doubted, that some have exhibited too much fanaticism in their efforts, while much less real good has been accomplished in some instances than was expected. The seemingly reformed have, in many instances, returned to their cups; and hundreds have paid too little regard to the obligations under which they have been placed by the pledge. The effect of the movement, however, upon the rising generation, is considered highly beneficial and quite salutary. One unpleasant feature in the progress of this reformation is, that some apparently pious men, have been led by their devotion to its objects, to neglect their religious obligations to lessen their attention to the ordinances of the church and the means of grace. The true Christian will, generally, be virtually all that any association, secondary to his church, can require of him; and if he cannot attend to the less important, without neglecting the greater, it is decidedly unwise and improper to engage in the former; hence, it is the opinion of some great and good men, who entertain the highest regard for this reformation, that it should be conducted entirely by non-professors. We venture not, as yet, however, to embrace this view of the subject. Time will be required by many to test its soundness, and we cannot fully agree with the supporters of the theory. On the 16th of December, 1846, a meeting was held in Ashland Hall, at which patriotic speeches were made relative to the Mexican War. A company of volunteers was soon raised, being composed of young men of the city and county of Norfolk, and of Princess Anne. On the 26th, an election of officers took place, and O. E. Edwards was chosen captain. January 1, 1847. A company having also been raised in Portsmouth, John P. Young was elected captain. On the 12th, this company went to Richmond, and was suitably received and disposed of by Governor Smith. The company proceeded to Mexico, but was not favoured with an opportunity of engaging with the enemy. Captain Edwards's company was also offered to the Governor for his disposal, but not being received, the offer was made to the Governor of North Carolina; being again refused, proposals were then made to the United States Government, and promptly accepted. Captain E. having received a commission as captain, in a regiment of voltigeurs, embarked, on March 27th, for Fort M'Henry, near Baltimore; after which, the company proceeded to Mexico, where Captain E. was assigned to the command of the howitzer battery attached to the regiment. During the engagement at the National Bridge, and elsewhere, Captain E. and his company fought with great gallantry. After his return to the city, he was presented, by some of the citizens, with an elegant sword, as an evidence of their appreciation of his brave conduct and distinguished efforts in the service of his country. He has since died in California, leaving a wife and several children, who reside in this city. CHAPTER XXXI. 1847. Destructive Fire-Frightful Accident-Boys Burnt-Suffering and DeathRev. Mr. Beall-Marble Tablet-Virginia Temperance Advocate-Grain Business-High Prices-Unseasonable Weather-Fish-Moonlight Excursions-Prices of Grain-Rev. Mr. Anderson--Indian Corn-Demand from Ireland-Shipments - Sabbath-school Celebration-Rev. Mr. CumminsU. S. Ship Pennsylvania-Grain and Corn-Death of Colonel Newton-Death of Dr. Moseley-City Hall-Corner Stone-Ceremonies-Oration-Rev. Mr. Hitselberger-New Orphan Asylum-View of the Old Church at Jamestown -Gift of the Norfolk Ladies-Public Buildings-Streets Paved-Spirit of Improvement-Beacon Office Destroyed-Snow and Thunder. JANUARY 16, 1847. At an early hour, a destructive fire broke out on the south side of Main Street, two or three doors east from the corner of Market Square, which consumed several very valuable buildings, and a large quantity of goods. Newton's beautiful block on Market Square, and the property on the north side of Main Street, were seriously menaced by the flames; but for the very active exertions of the several fire companies of this city, and of Portsmouth, on this as on other occasions, the destruction would have been very great. The loss was estimated at $60,000. A frightful accident, attended with loss of life under very painful circumstances, occurred after the fire had been subdued. Several boys, among whom were Robert Brown and Barlow Daniel, were endeavouring to extricate, from among the smouldering ruins, a large tin can, containing a quantity of spirits of turpentine, camphine, or other explosive liquid, which had been kept in the cellar of one of the stores destroyed. Just as they succeeded in pulling it out from a pile of hot bricks, it ignited and exploded, scattering the combustible substance in every direction, and simultaneously saturating, and setting on fire, the clothes of the unfortunate boys above named. It was, to them, an awful moment, of the intensest agony and horror. The poor boys were, in an instant, completely enveloped in a thick sheet of glaring white flame, which arose several feet above their heads. No martyr at the stake, nor any act of savage cruelty, had, probably, ever presented an instance of more excruciating bodily torture, so completely enwrapped were they in the fierce, flashing, devouring element, fed as it was by the fiery fluid;—a lamentable condition, truly, for human beings to be placed in. Daniel, who was a sprightly and intelligent youth, ran screaming to the so-called Artesian well, which was within a few rods of the ruins, while Brown, a stout, active boy, of about fourteen, made the best of his way over the piles of rubbish, inhaling the white flame as he proceeded. Happening in the daytime, a number of persons hastened immediately to witness the frightful scene, which words are scarcely adequate to describe. Terror was strikingly depicted in the countenance of every man present. The beholders stood, for a few moments, aghast, with uplifted hands, and uttering exclamations of horror. At first it seemed difficult, and even hazardous, to render assistance. A gentleman, however, had sufficient presence of mind to throw his cloak over Daniel, in his rapid, fiery flight; but he disengaged himself, and, with almost superhuman effort, hurried on to the pump, where copious streams of cold water were quickly thrown upon him. The stores near the ruins were soon emptied of their occupants. Some came with water, others with blankets; one of which was thrown over Brown, the flames extinguished, and the remaining fragments of half-burnt garments removed, after he had fallen upon a heap of rubbish. Too much pain has already been inflicted upon the feelings of the reader, and perhaps this narrative should end here; but having commenced it, the sad conclusion may be expected. Besides, it may not be improper to show the extent of physical suffering to which the unfortunate creatures of earth are sometimes subjected. The half-stifled screams of "Put me out! put me out!" thrilled the hearts of those present with indescribable pain, and the distorted and blistered condition of poor Brown's body, and that of his helpless companion in misery, was too shocking to behold, and the reader would sicken at a further detail. The unfortunate youths both received the most prompt and skilful medical and maternal attention; but death relieved them of their suffer ings on the following day. They both had widowed mothers, whose emotions of deep, heartfelt, agonizing sorrow must be imagined. March 10th, 1847. Departed this life, Rev. Upton Beall, formerly of Frederick, Maryland, the esteemed pastor of Christ Church. The members of his charge caused a handsome marble tablet, with an appropriate inscription, to be prepared and placed in the church, on the west wall, near the northwest corner; and they also had erected to his memory, in Cedar Grove Cemetery, a beautiful monument, with an epitaph and significant emblems. May 15th. On this day was issued the first number of the Virginia Temperance Advocate, a weekly paper, edited by the author of these sketches, and devoted to temperance, morality, literature, health, &c. It was favourably noticed by the press, and well received by the community; the subscription-list included the names of many of the most intelligent citizens in town and country. It was subsequently edited by W. W. Davis, Esq. A very heavy and extensive grain business was done in the spring of this year; the principal cause of the demand being the scarcity of food in Ireland. A large number of English and American vessels were freighted with corn, flour, meal, pork, &c., &c., and a scene of great activity was exhibited in the commercial portion of the city. Some of the enterprising and more experienced merchants were greatly enriched, while the injudicious and incautious sustained heavy losses. There were some who might have adopted the following lines: "Of all the days since I was born, I hate the day I dealt in corn; |