Record

D3580 - Longsdon family of Little Longstone - [14th-20th Cent]
- C - Correspondence

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Archive Reference / Library Class No.	D3580/C/445
Title	Charleston, South Carolina. William Longsdon to Mother - does not like Charleston though town pretty well built and streets wide and regular, but country so extremely flat as to have no sort of variety. When walked 2 miles seen as much as if walked 200. Yesterday walked with a countryman. Soon after came to skirts of the city had to cross by boat the Ashley River about a mile wide. On both banks very extensive marshes covered with rushes so that all roads have a foundation of wood - multitude of sticks or branches which forming a light and bulky body will not sink. Over this nothing but a little common earth or sand. No stone within 3 days journey except what imported. After crossing, entered a sort of forest of pine trees - every here and there a patch of cleared or half cleared 20 or 30 acres. Clear by setting fire to them as near root as possible and then stubbing up what remains, when land is worth the labour of this last process. Several paths just wide enough for a carriage. Really curious birds - red bird is brilliant scarlet all except tail which is brown and has small tuft on head. Mockingbird exclusive of its imitative qualities can sing very melodiously. Many others of most beautiful plumage but writer's knowledge of natural history not enough to furnish her with names. After wandering couple of hours without increasing their enthusiasm they returned home and are writer believes only 2 people in Charleston whose feet have carried them a dozen miles on one day this year. What would give her more pleasure than anything writer has mentioned would be to see a small branch plucked from a rosetree containing 5 or 6 beautiful roses and buds, and orange trees loaded with fine fruit - said to be sour but does not take from its appearance which is very rich. People have character for hospitality but does not extend to too much familiarity at least where ladies concerned. At a tea party should stranger be present females range themselves on one side fire and gentleman composedly take the other and after a length of time someone becomes bold enough to break the silence and, if a gentleman, perhaps addresses himself to a lady. The lady if spoken to by a stranger seldom returns any answer larger than a monosyllable - and to quote writer's informant a person is expected after this to go home and say he has passed a very pleasant evening. Must understand that not having been at any tea parties writer does not speak from ocular evidence but believes this custom of rank and file observed respectively by ladies and gentlemen is pretty common. At house where writer boards formalities are dispensed with and ladies 4 or 5 in number would find it difficult to keep the gentlemen under such restrictions were they so disposed. They are social enough but if could get them would prefer private rooms. Interruption by so many people being under 1 roof renders it always necessary to retreat to one's bedroom to read or write. Does not accord with his disposition. Addendum on 9 January to Father. Been here a month without any encouragement to buy cotton - great number of strangers this year and high prices in England - unusual demand for article at most extravagant rates. Considerable part of crop now shipped and yet no appearance of any speedy drop. Probably shall not stay as long as intended. Unless change will set out northwards by land towards end of month staying at some of principal towns in Virginia to see what advantages offer for fixing an establishment though does not think will become inhabitant of that part of country. To reach New York in March and probably spend rest of year there. Travelling here not so good as in England, stages not made on best principles, which together with bad roads, makes long journey serious undertaking. Accommodations of inns are poor. Own health better since writer crossed the Atlantic. 8 January 1816 Received 25 Feb.
Date	1816
Level	file
Repository	Derbyshire Record Office
Archive Creator	Longsdon family of Little Longstone

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