The Western Democrat

[COMMUNICATED.]

Charlotte as She is.

MR. EDITOR:—During the afternoon of a pleasant day of March it became a privilege and a duty to visit your increasingly attractive and beautiful town. Assuredly it presents more of the aspect of a city, and such it should be universally denominated. Whilst it is conceded that the general character of this historically interesting locality assumes its complexion from the spirit of its population, and is dependent for its elevated tone on their urbanity, intelligence and social refinement as well as their wealth, enterprise and liberality, it is equally undeniable that actual and visible improvements, and also those which are still in contemplation, are the worthy exponents of a cultivated architectural and ecclesiological taste, and of the upward tendency of secular business. Having obtained an easy carriage and a skillful driver, with horses plunging and rearing with the most spry spirit, I enjoyed a full view of the McAdamized streets, pavements and buildings and remarked to a friend—an ennuyé pleasure-seeker—that Charlotte, as she is, presents a diversified landscape of order and beauty, animation and business, and affords to the travelling stranger a theme for colloquial interviews or pencillings by the way. The edifices which we saw displayed an artistic elegance and finish combined with a deserved regard to domestic comfort and convenience. Col. Osborne—the great orator of the State—has erected a splendid mansion adjacent to the magnificent and beautiful domicile of Mr. Elms, so frequently noticed and justly admired. Mr. Brem's grounds and residence present a neat, elegant and imposing exterior. The edifices in his immediate vicinity are constructed upon an admirable plan, and the manner in which the work has been executed reflects unusual credit on the architects and mechanics—especially the one pointed out as having been recently erected by Gen. Young, who is not only a model of true politeness, but an exceedingly popular and effective speaker; and whose lady is possessed of an intelligent taste, so refined and delicate, that she will doubtless soon embellish the garden and yard with all that genius can invent, perseverance accomplish, or polished sensibilities approve.

Messrs. Carson, Wilson, and Williams, and other gentlemen of the same class, live in very eligible and delightful sections of the city and have everything around them neatly and tastefully arranged.

My attention was particularly directed to a handsome and spacious enclosure formerly occupied by a Female Academy but within a few years purchased by a young Mr. Carson who, it is hoped, will erect there a palace-like edifice on a scale of magnificence and grandeur commensurate with his ample and princely fortune.

In the eastern and north-eastern portions of town we discovered the elegant mansions of Dr. Jones, and R. F. Davidson, and also on the right of the main street, leaving town, the buildings of Mr. Phifer.

The business houses of Elms, Williams, Davidson, Springs, Parks, Irwin, Bell, Brown & Brawley, Steele, and Spratt, are deservedly popular and are driving a heavy and profitable trade.

Among the more recent establishments we were shown through Mr. Springs' Steam Flour and Meal Factory, which does credit and honor to the public spirit of the enterprising capitalist, and from which we desire he may realize remunerating profits sooner than others who have invested their funds in similar property.

There are at least four Churches—the Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Roman Catholic. The second and fourth are small when compared with the first and third in the order we have mentioned them; and it is reasonable to suppose that the regular members of the former are proportionally more scattering and transient than those of the latter. The Presbyterian denomination sustained a deep and irretrievable loss in the death of their pastor. He was one of the great men of the State. Nature had endowed him with a clear, strong and vigorous mind. By perseverance and devotion to his duties he acquired an unbounded influence as a citizen, and an extensive reputation as a gentleman, scholar and minister. May the mantle of his many virtues rest on his successor whoever he may be.

Liberal donations have been contributed for the purpose of erecting a first class Presbyterian Church which, when completed, will be a durable and beautiful monument of munificent liberality and cultivated taste. It is also contemplated by many citizens to build a Female College, a draft of which has already been procured.

I will not weary you with items of information with which your readers are more familiar than the writer; but, if any apology be necessary, let it be the desire to acquaint you with the favorable impressions which your city makes upon the numerous visitors who throng its streets and hotels, and I thought this end would be most satisfactorily accomplished by writing a few "hurrygraphs" for your columns.

TRANSIENS.