From the account published by the correspondent of the New York World, we extract the following description of the rebel Capitol.

So soon as we descend into the plains of beautiful Virginia, we observe the change in all that distinguishes an old from a new country. Richmond is a model of that exterior respectable convervatism which is the chief boast of that people. It is in its natural site one of the most picturesque places in the world. Richmond of to-day is, however, the Richmond of two years ago turned out of doors. With the seat of Government came also the troop of sharpers, gamesters, politicians and adventurers, from which the South was never free. The hotels are anomalous, and do not court comparison with the hotels of even Washington. On the streets may be seen the same string of tawdry men and women, a little the worse for wear. Handsome women we saw, however, whom fashion could hardly adorn. The stores are still open and equally crowded, but the shelves are very lean and bare. There is a certain effort of dress on the part of the military, but is far from being a success. The vehicles are faded and shaky; the horses poor and jaded; the streets, naturally beautiful, neglected and overrun with war
traces. Some of the private residences look quite old and comfortable.

The army of Gen Hooker is again on the north side of the Rappahannock. It began to recross the river Tuesday afternoon, and was all over on Wednesday morning. The troops were annoyed considerably by the firing of the rebels from the neighboring hights, and there were some casualties, but the accounts go to indicate ihat the passage of the river was made in good order and with admirable success under the circumstances. The first reports of the retreat stated that it was preceded by a severe battle and defeat of our forces on Tuesday, but later accounts deny that there was any battle on that day, and state that the army was deliberately withdrawn from prudential reasons. Some have already made haste to charge Gen Hooker with cowardice in ordering this retreat, but it is too soon, and the facts are too imperfectly known, to make a just judgment in the matter possible, and it is quite likely to appear that Gen Hooker has demonstrated by the movement that he is a prudent leader, as he has already shown himself a bold one.