Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
political — Diphtheria — Typhoid fever — Longevity — Religious revival — weather — surgical operation, &c.
Diphtheria, the scourge of the present day, in this and surrounding counties, prevails with a malignant fury, which seems not to abate in the least. Many children have died, and it is reaching higher, taking those of mature age in its deadly grasp. Typhoid fever prevails to a considerable extent, and the mortality is getting alarming.
An old negro woman, possibly the oldest person in the county, died at the poor-house in this county a few days since, whose age was about 105 years. Had she lived a short time longer, she could possibly be said to have witnessed the birth, the meridian and the death of a great nation, which, meteor like, has darted across the sky of the history of the world.
Times are getting terrible here, and if there is not a general "smash up" about negro-hire paying time, it will surprise most of us. Negroes will rate low the coming year in the way of hire. So much for the excitement of the times.
There is a considerable revival of religion in progress in this place, in the M. E. Church. So far fifteen to twenty have been converted, and the altar is nightly crowded with anxious penitents. The ministers have labored with much zeal and efficiency. There is also a protracted meeting being carried on at the O. S. Presbyterian Church.
Rev. S. S. Lambert, of the Virginia Conference, preached his first sermon and commenced his Conference year, on Sabbath last, in this place. His congregation are highly pleased with him.
The weather is very cold, with a few snow flakes lazily descending now and then.
Drs. Hill and Triplett performed an important surgical operation on a negro man, slave to James Crawford, Esq., of this county, a short time since. Much to the surprise of every one, the old man has recovered. They relieved him of a tumor of the weight of 20 pounds growing upon his shoulder. The old man for some time after the operation could not walk right, he had been used to the weight upon his left shoulder so long. But he is getting over that. Dr. Hill graduated at the last session of Richmond Medical College, and was one of the seceding students from Philadelphia.
The Deputy Marshal for this county, N. C. Smith, Esq., has completed his labors. The population of the county is 23,447, as follows: Free inhabitants, (including free negroes,) 21,059; slaves, 2,388; number of dwelling-houses, 3,763; number of families, 3,685; number of farms producing $800 and upwards, 1,851; number of establishments of the products of industry producing over $500,180. Pen.
