It waters and fertilizes thereby a considerable extent of country — being useful also to its friends in a military point of view. It looks after the agricultural rather than the commercial interests, these last being sufficiently provided for in the harbor of Norfolk. It is a Virginian, not a Yankee, river, and consequently moves with dignity, takes its own time, looks about the country, and makes itself acquainted with home affairs before proceeding to foreign ports. Moreover, having always been in the service of the cavaliers, and having held out against Cromwell, it could not be expected to take the oath of allegiance to Lincoln and Butler. Dutch gap was rather too outlandish for its aristocratic stomach. Instead of blowing up the James river, the final explosion seems to have blown up General Butler, who disappeared about the time of that concussion. Butler and Dutch gap have come to an end together. Lovely in their lives, in their deaths they were not divided. In the meantime, Richmond is quiet, and the James as quiet as if he had not put a quietus upon Dutch gap Calm and composed as Robert E. Lee after a great victory, the James is awaiting, with unruffled serenity, what will come next. Long may it flow, untrammeled and majestic, to the sea. The heels of hostile armaments may plough for awhile its disdainful tides, but, like their armies, they can only hold the space they occupy; and the surrounding waters will yet sing their requiem.
