could sway their victory over the industrious poor.  So public was it, that she openly boasted its purpose and its adaptation to the ensnaring vices of passion.  Yes, this create in female form had spread ruin and death through the community, and brought the head of many a brilliant young man to the last stage of cast-off misery.  And yet, so openly tolerated and countenanced by leading men are these things, that on the 31st of July, 1852, this mother of crime appeals to the honorable board of aldermen, as appeared in the “Proceedings of Council” in the Charleston Courier of that date, in the following manner: 

“Laid over until a monied quorum is present.

“Letter from Mrs. G. Pieseitto, informing Council that having recessed her new brick building in Berresford street at least two feet, so as to dedicate it to the use of the citizens of Charleston, if they will pave with flag-stones the front of her lot, respectfully requests, that if accepted, the work may be done as soon as possible.  Referred to the Aldermen, Ward No. 4.”  The street is narrow and little used, except for purposes known to the lanterns, when honest people should sleep.  The information might have been couched with more modesty, when the notoriety of the woman and the dedication of her tabernacle of vice was so public.  How far the sensitive aldermen of the fourth ward have proceeded in the delicate mission, or how much champagne their modest consideration has cost, the public have not yet been informed.  Rumor says every thing is favorable.  We are only drawing from a few principal points, and shall leave the reader to draw his own inference of the moral complexion of our social being.  We make but one more view, and resume our story.

An office connected with the judiciary, so long held as one of high responsibility and honorable position, is now held merely as a medium of miserable speculation and espionage.  It is an elective office, the representative holding for four years.  The present incumbent was elected more through charity than recompense for any amiable qualities, moral worth, or efficient services to party ends.  A more weak man could not have been drawn from the lowest scale of party hirelings, though he had abdicated the office once before to save his name and the respectability of the judiciary.  It may be said, he was elected in pity to speculate on misery; and thus it proved in the case of Manuel Pereira.  This functionary was elected by a large majority.  Could his moral worth have been taken into consideration?  We should think not!  For several times have we been pointed to two interesting girls,—­or, if their color was not shaded, would be called young ladies—­promenading the shady side of King street, with their faces deeply vailed, and informed who was their father.  The mother of these innocent victims had been a mother to their father, had nursed him and maintained him through his adversity, and had lived the partner of his life and affections for many years, and had reared to him an interesting but fatal family.  But, no sooner had fortune begun to shed its smiling rays, than he abandoned the one that had watched over him for the choice of one who could boast no more than a white skin.