Dr. Robert C. Mvles.
Shaking Across the Bloody Chasm.
RICHMOND ON THE JAMES.
Laying the Corner-Stone of the R. E.
Lee Monument.
Richmond, Va., Oct. 28 —The laying of the
corner-stone of the R. E. Lee monument was
attended by imposing ceremonias. In the pro
cession Gov Fitz Lee and Gen. Wale Hamp
ton rode side by side, and behind them
marched the Confederate veterans. Among
the ex-Confederates present, who were fre
quently greeted with cheers as they were re
cognized by the crowd, were: Gen. W. H. F.
and Oapt. Lee, sons of the dead chieftain;
Gon. Wade Hampton, Joseph E. Johnson,
•lubal A. Early, Daniel Ruggles, J. D. Imbo-
den, Bradley T. Johnson, ffm. McComb, R.
L. Page, George H. Stewart, L. L. Lomax,
Robert Ransom, Mat. Ransom, Epps Ilun-
ton, C. M. Wilcox, W. D Taliiaferro, ex-Gov.
Win. Cameron, United States Senator John
W. Daniel, also Col. Charles S. Venable,
Walter H. Taylor and Charles Marshall, of
Gen. R. E. Lee’s staff.
Capt. W. G. McCabe, of Petersburg, read
the memorial poem written by Capt. J. Bar
ron Hope, which concludes as fellows:
When the effigy of Washington
la Its broi z was reared high
’ r«*x mine, wl h otners, now long gone,
Beneath a stormy s«y,
j'o otter to ihe multitude
His name that cann„t die.
And here to-day, my countrymen,
1 tell you 1,-e snail rlue
wi n that treat “rebel” down the years—
Twin “rebels’’ side by >ide!
auu cuulrouilng suou a vision.
All our grief gives place to pride.
These two shall ride Immortal
And shall ride abreast of Time;
Shall H*ht no stately history
And blazs In Epic rhvme—
Both pu.i.oia. ooth Virginians true,
Both "rebels,” bdtb sub.lme.
Our past Is full of glory.
It is a shut In sea,
The Pdlars over!, ofclng It
Are Washington and Lee :—
And a future spreads before ns,
Not unworthy of the free.
And here and now, my country men,
r Upon this snrreS sod, f -
Let us feel it was “Our Father”
Who above ns held the rod,
And from bill to sea,
Like Robert Lee.
Bow rtverentiy to God.
Gen. F.ajly introduced Col. Charles Mar
shall, military secretary of Gen. R. E. Lee,
who delivered the oration of the day.
At the conclusion of Col. Marshall’s oration
Gen. Wade Hampton was called upon, and re
plied in a few appropriate remarks, in the
course of which be sa'd he regarded Lee even
a greater man (ban Washington, and spoke of
the great veneration which the people of South
Carolina had for tbe dead Confederate chief
tain.
Gen. Early closed the proceedings with ap
propriate remarks.
Western Waterway Convention.
That was a very important convention
which met in Memphis a few days ago, and
the members—including some of the most
practical and influential citizens of the terri
tory interested—were well aware of it. After
a laborious session of several days, during
which they discussed what was wanted and
the desired plan for obtaining it, they ad
journed. They passed resolutions—all they
could do—declaring that the convention had
assembled because of—
The urgent necessity that immediate action
be taken by Congress for prompt relief—for
averting, if possible, the disaster threatening
the great interests of the people of the Mississ
ippi valley and the Northwest, and
Resolved, The interests for which the con
vention was authorized to speak are entitled
Mississippians and Americans generally arfe
indulging in a reasonable share of pride over
the celebrity achieved by a young American
physician, Dr. Robert C. Myles, of Myles Sta
tion, Miss., whose recent operation upon the
throat of the Crown Prince of Germany has
given him an international reputation. A brief
sketch of his career may be interesting. He
was born in Copiah county, Mississippi, and
prosecuted his medical studies in the medical
department of the University of Louisiana at
New Orleans, an institution made famous by
tbe renown of the late Dr. Warren Stone, for
many 5 ears the leader of the faculty, and one
of the most eminent surgeons of his time.
After graduating with the highest honors he
returned to his heme in'Claiborne county, Mis
sissippi, and engaged in the practice of his pro
fession. But his consuming ambition yearned
for a broader arena, and he soon moved to
New York, where he attended lectures for a
year. Even then his thirst for knowledge was
unsatisfied, and the next step in his career was
a trip to London. There he attracted the at
tention of Dr. Morell MacKenzie, the famous
English surgeon, who became impressed with
his skill in the treatment of throat diseases,
and entrusted to him some of his most impor
tant cases. In all of them big success was so
remarkable that when the Crown Prince of
Germany came to London, and placed himself
in Dr. MacKenzie’s hands for treatment, young
Myles was called into consultation, and ulti
mately entrusted with the management of the
case. An operation was decided upon. In
order to accomplish it successfully, an appar
atus became necessary to cauterize the throat
by means electricity. The invention and con
struction of the instrument was left entirely to
the young American physican, and he succeed
ed so admirably that his invention was adopted
without hesitation, and need in the operation
with most gratifying results. Dr. MacKenzie
profuse in his compliments to the young phy
sician and presented him to the Prince with
the remark: “Here is a great expert, he invent
ed the instruments used on your throat'”
The Prince was warm in his acknowledge
ments, and grasping the young man’s hand,
said: “Splendid! excellent!” and was joined by
his German physicians in emphatic expres
sions of approval. He writes to a friend after
the operation: “I had the pleasure of meeting
him again this evening aDd he seemed gay and
much better. Of course I am highly pleased
with all my good luck here, and don’t know
when I shall go to Vienna. I have a splendid
hospital appointment. I have telegraphed an
account of the operation to the New York
Medical llecord and the Philadelphia News ”
The Natchez Democrat, with commendable
pride, thus refers to the young physician’s
achievements:
The Crown Prince of Germany, It was
thought, was affected somewhat similarly to
Gen Grant, and had called about him the first
physicians in the world to treat his malady.
The honor conferred upon young Dr. Myles of
Claiborne county, who was called upon by the
very eminent surgeon, Dr. MacKenzie, not only
to treat, but to invent the instrument for the
treatment of the Crown Prince, and the succees
of his efforts will, therefore, be all the more
thoroughly appreciated. Dr. Myles is one of
the most promising young physicians in the
world and a credit to his native State of Missis
sippi. Young and energetic, studious and thor
oughly in love with his noble nrofeesion, he
niii, we pjetuct'msKe H’J/auie ahd rfepucKlion
for himself that will make bim the peer of the
most renowned medical men ot both the conti
nents. We are proud of his achievements, be
cause we can almost claim him as a Natchez
man.
Dr. Myles has a brother in this city engaged
in mercantile pursuits, who promises to be as
prominent in commerce as his younger brother
is in medicine.—Memphis Scimetar.
Texas Surplus.
The state of Texas has been fortunate this
year in its tax collections, and has more money
in its treasury than it knows what to do with.
The comptroller in his final report estimates
the revenue from all sources at $1,050,000, but
it seems that it reached $300,000, or $325,000
over the estimate. This is principally' due to
the promptness of tax collectors and tbe collec
tion of back taxes. The farmers of Texas are
in aprosporous condition this year, and are
able to pay all their old debts to the state.
Much of the improvements are attributed to
tbe excellent legislation of the legislature, both
in the matter of appropriations and in the pro
vision made for forciDg promp’, accountability
from the tax collectors aud its land measures.
Texas is now disscusing what it will do with
this surplus. Its sinking fund is ail provided
for; the legislature will not meet for two years
yet, and cannot, therefore, appropriate this
money. It is calculated that on the present
working of the sew law that the staie revenue
during the next two years will amount to
$4,750,000, and the expenses to $3 050 000,
leaving a balance on hand of §800,000. There
is no manner in which this money can be used,
no purpose to which it may be devoted or in
vestment for it. It will have to be laid up in
to the highest degree of consideration from | jh e treasury, and will require all the vault
the national legisla ure.
That they reaffirm the action of former river
improvement conventions; that it is the mani
fest and imperative duty of the government
to make the permanent improvements de
manded—
Tnat the failure of the appropriations to
continue the improvement of Western water
ways is recalled with regret—
That this convention invokes Congress to
regard the interests of the people of the great
Mississippi Valley and the Njithwest—
That the convention recognized with satis
faction the benefits which have already re
sulted to the navigation of the Mississippi and
its tributaries by wbat already had been
done—
That the action of the executive committee
of the improvement of Western waterways
■was approved—
That the convention indorse the Mississippi
and Missouri river commission, aud recom
mend their continuance—
That it is the duty of Congress to provide
by legislation for tbe removal ol obstructions
to the navigation of our public waterways
erected by railway corporation—
That the convention approves the improve
ment of the connection between Lake Michi
gan at Chicago, and the Mississippi river—
Of the opening of the Bayou Plaquemiue in
Louisiana by means of locks—
Of the improvement of the system of wa
terways which is formed by the Alabama river
and its great tributaries—
That the convention approves the method
adopted by Congie .s, of embodying in the
river and harbor bill all appropriations for the
improvement of the rivers of the country—
That the convention favorably regards the
movement for the construction of the Hene-
pin canal to connect the upper Mississippi and
the IUiuois rivers.
That the convention regards it as the duty
of the general government, by special appro
priations, to maintain and protect the harbors
of the principal cities and towns on the large
waterways.
The Chairman was authorized to call a con
vention for the Western waterways for the
year 18SS at such time and place as he may
designate.
Mrs. Mark Hopkins, who is said to be worth
About $40,000,000, is noted for her charily.
i?he has given to Great Barrington, Mass., a
church which cost $150,000, besides paying tbe
minister’s saiary. Many a youug girl has to
thank Mrs. Hopkins for her start in life.
room of the new apartments in the capital.
There are not many states that can beast of a
superfluity of revenues. The chief explana
tion l.es in the possession by the state of Texas
in its magnificence of public domain, and its
excellent legislation in the matter of tax
collections.—New Orleans Times-Democrat.
THE ST. LOUIS EXPLOSION.
Sensational. Views of the Fire Chief-
Experts Believe In the Cas Theory.
St. Louts, Nov. 2.—John Lindsay, chief
of the lire department, says, regarding the
explosion in Fourteenth street yesterday morn
ing, by which eight persons were killed : “In
my opinion the explosion was not caused by
either gas or gasoline. Neither of these could
haTe demolished the budding in which it ex
ploded, and all the surrounding buildings, the
way you see at Fourteenth street. I never
saw such a complete wreck in my life as the
one yesterday morning. I was ou the scene in
four minutes after the alarm was struck, and
the place was then as you find it to-day. Either
dynamite, gun-cotton or giant powder was
what exploded, and no one can make me be
lieve otherwise.”
The opinions of a number of experts find
ample proof of gas, or gasoline.
A “CRACKER” MILL IN THE BACKWOODS OF FLORIDA.
* ABA MARTZ.” ’
Brorazs- S-:wc-. -I -^predated, srzvfr-
much, the production by Am Hartz to Com
missioner Onld, furnished by yonr correspond
ent, W. R. L., in a recent issue of the Sunny
South. Thinking that your poetry-loving
readers will be interested in other poems by
same author, I enclose several which I con
sider “real cute." As regards the first piece,
“And No One Writes to Me,” I copy the fol
lowing from my scrap book:
“Tbe sequel to the publication of this piece
was very remarkable. Letters came by the
hundreds—some containing money, some sym
pathy, some abuse, some humor, some satire,
and many with notices of provisions and cloth
ing on the outside for Asa Hartz.”
Yours trulv, A. B. Tardy.
Vaiden, Miss., Oct., 1887.
“AND NO ONE WRITE3 TO ME.”
Its Location, Advantages
and General Growth.
Gigantic Ship-Construction Enter
prises—Washington’s Pew in
Christ Church, Where He
Worshipped.
The list Is called, and one by one
The anxious crowd now melts away;
I linger silll and wonder wby
No letter comes tor me to-day.
Are all my friends In Dixie dead?
Or would they all forgotten be?
Wnat bave I done, wbat have I said,
That no one writes a line to me?
It’s mighty queer!
I watcb tbe malls each weary day.
With anxious eye the list o’errun,
And every him whose name Is called—
But love him more who gets not one;
For I can sympathize with bim
Aud feel how Keen bis grief must be,
Biuee I’m an exile from my home
And no one writes a line to me.
I do declare I
Within a quiet, happy home,
Far. far Iu Dixie’s sunny clime.
There oweils a quiet, happy maid
Who wrote to me In by-gone time.
Now others from their dear ones hear
In tender letters, loving, free—
Yet here I’ve been this half a year.
And wby does 9be not write to me?
Wt ’re not estranged.
Will no one write me Just a line
To say that I’m rememb red yet?
You canDOt guess how much delight
I’d feel could I a letter get—
Cjuld I but near from some dear friend
Whose face I ne’er agatn may see.
Will some one now my anguish end?
If some one doesn’t write to me
I’ll get exchanged.
SHE WOULDN’T BE KISSED.
JENNY LIND DEAD.
The Incomparable Songtress of Form
er Davs Passes Away.
London, November 2.—Jenny Lind (Madame
Goldschmidt) the celebrated Swedish singer, is
dead.
She was sixty-six years old and had been
seriously ill for some weeks.
She retired from the stage after marriage
in America in 1852. but reappeared at various
concerts in aid of charities. She had not ap
peared in public since 186(5.
At Fort Donelson and Philadelphia.
When Gen. Buckner, now Governor of Ken
tucky, made his last sortie from Fort Donelson,
he was met aud repulsed by Col. Thayer, com
manding the First Nebraska Regiment. The
two commanding officers never met again until
they grasped each other’s hands at the Phila
delphia Centennial, Gen. Buckner as Governor
of Kentucky, and Gen. Thayer as Governor of
Nebraska
Miss Winnie Davis win Have no Such
Tricks Piayed, Even by a Colonel.
At Spar; a the scene was one of lively inter
est, and furnished au incident which will no
doubt belong remembered by all who witness
ed it. A wedding had occurred in the town at
three o’clock in the evening, and the fact be
ing generally known that the daughters of
l’res dent Davis would pass through on the af
ternoon train, the crowd, which numbered 200
or more, left the church after the ceremony
and repaired to the depot. When the train
arrived a rush was made for the rear of the
car containing the President’s daughters and
party. After some delay Miss Winnie ap
peared upon the platform and was introduced
to the assembly by T. M. Hunt, in response to
which came a storm of applause. At this
juncture Colonel J. T. Jordon stepped upon
the platform, and with a neat little speech,
presented Miss Davis with a beautiful wreath
of fiowtrs. The Colonel, however, who is no
ted for his gallantry, seem to feel that he had
failed to express the full warmth of Hancock’s
admiration for the “Daughter of the Confeder
acy,” and straightening his tall form to its ful
led height, he asked il he might not be per
mitted to kiss her. There was a merry twin
kle in the eyes of the Colonel, and he advanc
ed, as though to perform the coveted pleasure,
hut, to the amusement of everybody present,
the young lady threw her bands to her face
and rushed into the car, laughingly exclaim
ing: “No, indeed, Colonel, you cannot play
off such a trick on me.”—Cor. Augusta Chron
icle- _
That Historical Bide.
The old family bible that belonged to “Mary
the mother of Washington,” is still in exis
tence, and is kept in a branch of the Washing
ton family in Virginia. It conta ns the family
register, recording tbe birth of George Wash
ington, Feb, 22, 1732. The binding has a
cover of cloth woven by the hands of his
mother.
Editor Sunny South:
Alexandria, a port of entry and the capital
of Alexandria county, Virginia, is delightfully
situated on the right bank of the Potomac,
seven miles below Washington. The county
was originally a part of Fairfax, and was duly
ceded to the Federal Government as a portion
of the District of Columbia jointly with the
territory granted by Maryland. It was thus
held until 1844, when it was retroceded
to Virginia, and organized into a county. Tbe
area is small, being only ten miles long by five
miles wide, comprising 18,421 acres, assessed
at $790,578. The soil is fertile, and has been
brought to a high state of cultivation. The
population, including that of the city, is esti
mated to be upwards of 19,000. Tbe city at
an early date became a commercial centre of
importance, and long before the city of Wash
ington was thought of, shipping sought the
harbor of Alexandria, the river here being one
mile in width, and with a depth sufficient for
the requirements of the largest ships—there
beiDg thirty-five feet of water at the wharves.
The Potomac was early utilized & the Colonial
days, and Alexandria steadily increased ia im
portance as a flourishing centre of trade, hav
ing export and import relations with the West
Indies, the East, and Europe, direct. Tbe
record of its citizens during the War of the
Revolution was one of the highest honor and
credit, and it wss a favorite city of resort and
residence for President Washington, whose
own magnificent estate was but a short dis
tance off. The wealth and prosperity of the
planters of Virginia and Maryland reflected it
self in the mercantile activity of Alexandria,
and, with her natural advantages, she would
undoubtedly have become the great metropolis
of the Middle Atlantic Seaboard but for the
advent of the “iron horse” and the tapping of
vast regions by direct lines of railroad to other
centres. As it was, Alexandria was a most
important commercial centre, with most favor
able prospects when the dark cloud of civil
war suddenly arose above the political horizon.
Alexandria was much affected by the vicissi
tudes of the war, her trade was largely cut off,
and she became a centre for a vast armed
camp of the Federal forces. In May, 1861,
occurred here the first tragic event that was a
forerunner of the bloody campaigns conducted
in Northern Virginia. The Washington gov
ernment early foresaw the importance of Alex
andria as a strategic point, and the man-of-war
“Pawnee” was stationed off the town. Her
boat’s crew had been tired on by Confederates,
who subsequently left the town, as it was be
ing occupied bv Federal troops. The forces
comprised the First Michigan Regiment, which
advanced by land, and the New York Fire
Zouaves, under Colonel Elmer E. Ellsworth,
who were conveyed in two schooners. Ells
worth advanced to the centre of the city and
took possession in the name of the govern
ment, while Colonel Wilcox marched to the
station ot the Orange and Alexandria Railroad,
seizing it and a large quantity of rolling stock.
While many Confederates had left town, num
bers stayed behind, among them Hr. Jackson,
proprietor of the Marshall House, and who
had had the Confederate Hag flying over his
premises for several days. The flag was plain
ly seen from the White House in Washington.
Ellsworth went into the hotel, proceeded to
the roof, and hauied it down. While descend
ing the upper staircase he was shot by Jack-
son with a double barrelled gun. Ellsworth
fell dead, and Jackson was in turn shot through
the head and pierced with a sabre bayonet by
Francis E. Brownell, of Troy, N. Y., who,
with six others, bad accompanied Ellsworth to
the roof. Immediately after Jackson was
killed a woman came rushing out of a room,
x threw herself on Canal, oonneci
Was bis wife. The j\Ohio,
I! ,’iiiCir:.,- V:...
j only here but all ovar the land. It was a chaf-
I acteristic forerunner of the awful oonflict.
Ellsworth’s body was removed to Washington,
and the funeral services were performed in the
East Room of the White House, President
Lincoln being the chief mourner. Duriug sub
sequent months Arlington Heights were forti
fied, and Alexandria occupied by the Federal
army. Sherman’s battery was stationed here,
while the Ztuaves held the hill above the town;
the Massachusetts 5th was located along the
canal, while the 12th New York held Roach’s
Mills. It was during this period that McDow
ell’s army, massed between Alexandria and
tbe Chain bridge, made its advance to the
bloody battle-field of Bull Run.
These are a few historical points of interest
that I could not refrain from mentioning.
But it is the present wonderful growth of
Alexandria that I wish to tell to the readers of
the Sunny South
Growth is the order of the day. Improve
ments of the most substantial character are
observable everywhere. An average of one
hundred or more new houses are springing up
yearly. From Mr. J. R. Caton, the wide
awake real estate man, we learn that there
was never before in Alexandria such a demand
for land and houses. Mr. Caton is a gentle
man full of enterprise, and much of the pres
ent boom the city is now enjoying is due to his
efforts. The opening of Mt. Vernon Avenue
first originated in the mind of Col. M. B. Har
low—the idea being to have an opening from
Washington to Mt Vernon as a drive, sub
stantially paved and beautified with fine shade
trees and flowers. This is just what Washing- i
channel for tne enormous annual shipment of
this splendid article of fuel via schooners to
New York and the New England States, etc.
Four different lines of steamers ply to New
York, Philadelphia, Baltimore and Norfolk,
thus rendering transportation cheap and expe
ditious. Fine and spacious warehouses are to
had here at very low rates for manufacturing
or commercial purposes, many of them having
wharf privileges and direct railroad connec
tions.
George R. Hill & Co., are the steam manu
facturers of crackers, cakes and fancy breads.
A walk through this model establishment
discloses to one’s eyes the secret of the won
derful success of the firm. System every
where, energy all-pervading.
Among the most progressive business houses
is the drug store of Mr. J. B. N. Lunt. This
establishment is a model of neatness and ac
curacy.
The banking house of Burke & Herbert is
one of the oldest in the city.
Noticeable among the best we had tbe pleas
ure of meeting were, Capt. Herbert Bryant,
Col. J. Broders, J. R. Chapman, A. A. War-
field, R. C. Acton, N. Strauss, Maj. George
Duffey, J. Eichburg, John Donnally & Son,
and R T. Lucas.
Dr. D. N. Rust has a first class dental depot.
Mr. M. B. Perry and Mr. S. L. Munroe, were
among the gallant young men of Alexandria.
Mr. C. C. Carlin is the coming newspaper
man of the city. He is bright and full of am
bition, and his letters to the Washington Re
publican deserve special mention.
George Wise represents the Insurance busi-
ton needs, as there is no drive now except to ness of Alexandria. L. Bril Jr., is the propriq-
the Soldiers’ Home. Col. Harlow deserves to
succeed in his undertaking. It will live as a
monument to his public spirit and persever-
ecce.
Alexandria has many marked advantages;
among them, and one of the most prominent,
being its nearness to Washington. There is
communication each half hour, daily, by boat
or rail. The municipal administration is pro
gressive and able. Hon. J. S. Beach is Clerk
tor of the cafe.
One feels that they have not done justice to
Alexandria without mentioning the many ele
gant churches there; notably, on account of
i s historic associations, the venerable Christ
Church inseparably identified with the memory
oE the immortal Washington. It is, and al
ways will be, an object of interest. It is con
structed of English brick, the first ever broueht
to the United States. Here Washington wor-
Beauties and Celebrities.
American Life Under Eigh
teen Presidents.
Prominent Statesmen and Brilliant
Belles—Fashionable Styles, Enter
tainments, Anecdotes, Etc.
A Picture of Henry Clay.
An artist from New York—Mr. Linen
painted an excellent cabinet portrait of Henry
Clay, which was shown in Washington.
While Mr. Clay was ’•lining with the Presi
dent at one of his regular Cabinet dinners
given in rotation every Saturday to the mem
bers of both Houses, a servant whispered to
Mr. VanBuren—“the house is on tire.” Van-
Buren rose very coolly, apologized to the gen
tleman next him, and left the room for a few
minutes. The whole kitchen department was
in flames; but a few l-ails of water quenched
the (ire. which had made little progress. When
tne President returned to hig company, and
explained the cause of bis absence, Mr. Clay
turned to him, and, with a placid look, said:
“Mr. President, I am doing all I can to get
you out of this house; but believe me,” here
he put his hand on his breast, “I do not want
to bum you out."
The expression the artist threw into his
portrait was that with which Mr. Clay said
these few words. The eyes lighted up, the
lips slightly apart, the big, broad mouth ap
parent, a half smile spread over his face, the
whole countenance beaming with lofty intel
lect, and blending wit, dignity and good hu
mor -
Some Admired Belles.
One of the most admired belles in Wasn-
ton during Gen. Jackson’s administration, was
Miss Cora Livingston. She married Thomas
Barton, who went aR Secretary of Legation
with Mr. Edward Livingston on the Missions
to France; was left as Charge des Affaires when
Livingston returned, and came to the United
States in 1838, bringing water for the tire
between President Jackson aud Louis Phil-
ippe.
Tue beautiful Mrs. Ashley—afterwards Mrs.
Crittenden, was also the star of the most
brilliant circles, and Miss Octavia Walton
from the South, was a celebrity for her gifts
and accomplishments.
(Mrs. Madison In Washington.
It was during Van Buren’s administration.
The widow of tbe great president, James Mad
ison was there. Mr. Clay’s meeting with her
at a party given by the French Minister was
noticed; the lady rose at his approach, extend
ed her hand, and gave him one of those smiles
which no doubt helped to make the dominant
party adhesive in the days of her presidency.
Her movements were all grace, ease, and elas
ticity of youth. On one occasion a gentleman
weui up to her aDd said:
“You do not remember me, Mrs. Madison’”
“Yes, I recollect you very well, Mr.—.”
She had not seen him for twenty six years.
It was this intellectual power combined with
all the graces and elegances of her sex, that
made her onto almost the center and source
of nower in tne overnment
Adams atjthe Theater *
A theater, prbbaVtj'T is aboatuie‘S»t place •
one would have expected to find John Quincy
Adams. But on the occasion, once, ot flaok-
etts appearance in Washington, Mr. Adams
was observed in the theater seated in the cen
ter of the pit. During the whole evening he
looked neither to the right nor the left. Ha
was surrounded by large numbers of the mem
bers of both houses, wno cams to enjoy the
character of Falstaff. The ex-President be
came interested—absorbed—and occasionally
laughed until his eyes filled with tears. He is
said to have had an enthusiasm for the old En
glish drama, and its effects on him were as
strong aud natural as the first play would
have on the nerves of an innocent country girl.
His appearance then and there with his fine
bald head and few silvery locks, bad a pictur
esque and pleasing effect*
of the Court. A. W. Armstrong, Leonard shipped for many years, and the good people
Marbury and G. A. Musbach are among the | were accustomed loiter around the door, each
leading lawyers. 1 Sunday, until his equipage appeared. When
The streets are paved, well graded and lit by I he and his elegant wife entered the church, the
gas. The mam bttsiness thoroughfares pre- I modest farmer stood abashed with uncovered
sent a scene of business activity, and are lined head, whiie the greatest man in the country—
with large general stores carrying as complete and, all things considered, one of the few real-
and extensive stocks of goods as can be found
in Washington or Baltimore. The city has an
abundant supply of the finest and purest water,
so pure that the reagents which blacken ordi
nary hydrant water elsewhere do not affect its
transparency. Its fire department is unex
celled in the country for its efficiency. The
city is quiet and orderly, and its morality is
decided!y above the average. Its health is ex
cellent. One of the schools, with fifty board
ers, has had but two deaths (those of a teacher
and a pupil) in more than half a century, and
advertised one year that its physiciaus’bills
averaged but twenty-five cents to each student,
at fnll rates.
The educational facilities of Alexandria are
excelleat. The public schools are justly cele
brated and ably conducted—a staff of twenty-
six teachers instructing an average of 1,700 pu
pils, separated into eight grades. There are
also more private schools, for the population,
than in almost any city in the Union. St.
John’s Academy is a military school liberally
patronized by the public, and whose pupils in
1887 hailed from fourteen different States and
Territories. The Potomac Academy has also
a large attendance. Other educational institu
tions are St. Mary’s Academy, ihe Arlington
Institute, Mount Vernon Institute and tte
Alexandria Female Seminary, besides Catholic
and Lutheran parish schools and many private
schools. The Masonic and Odd Fellow frater
nities are here represented by powerful lodges.
Everywhere are new enterprises estab
lished, ample capital invested; and these
conditions, coupled with the city’s per
fected railway and water transportation
facilities, place her in the front rank of
Southern cities—attractive both to the mer
chant, manufacturer and real estate investor.
Her railway system comprises the Alexan
dria & Fredericksburg, the Washington & Al
exandria (operated by the Pennsylvania Rail
road); the Virginia Midland & Washington,
Ohio & Western (operated by the Richmond &
Danville). The Baltimore & Ohio connects
here with the Virginia Midland via ferry across
the Potomac to Shepherd’s. The Alexandria
ly great men the world has produced—was
greeted by the nobility of the district.
The family pew is still in a fine state of
preservation. Ithasahigh back, with three
seats. Your correspondent sat in them all, to
make sure of it. It is said that Washington
occup’ed the third seat—and sat “bolt up
right,” with his face to the congregation in
stead of the pastor. It was in this same
church that Thanksgivings were offered upon
the securing of the Independence, while where
Washington City now stands was a wilder
ness.
Later, the gallant R. E. Lee wsrshipped
here; and the tall old spires of this church
looks down on the graves, in the surrounding
church-yard, of many courtly and courageous
Virginians, whose loyalty and devotion to the
cause of liberty perpetuates their names in
history with that of Washington. This old
bnilding certainly is replete with inspiring
memories.
I should do gross injustice to Alexandria if
I failed to mention the Arrow Steam-Ship com
pany of New York, who are now preparing
ground at their yard in Alexandria for the
construction of 540 feet trans-Atlantic passen
ger steamship Pocahontas. Work on it is to
begin very soon, and when completed she will
be the largest vessel ever built iu America.
There is also located here one of the finest
Marine Railway and Ship-yards accessible on
this coast. The company is now engaged in
constructing a new type of steam-ships whose
speed will open a new era to ocean navigation.
Further it can be said of Alex mdr.a that it is
a typical Southern city, which while only six
miles from Washington, the capital of this
great and grand republic, it offers unsur
passed advantages as a location in the “New
South” for business enterprises, residences
and manufacturing industries.
Marie Wright.
Natural gas is usea tor uouseuoid purposes
almost exclusively in Portland, Indiana.
1.200 stoves are fed by it and the number is
increasing.
‘‘Mrs Florida Whit©’’ and Her Cousin.
Mr. Cass had given a splendid party at his
residence to close the year—1834—attended
by all the fashionables. The New Year levee
at the President’s was densely crowded; all the
foreign embassadors, consuls and charges be
ing mere in their brilliant costumes, army
and navy officers in full uniform, members,
citizens, etc. The President, flanked on eith
er side by Webster and Van Buren, looked
the picture of happiness. Amos Kendall was
present, but none of the clerks of hig depart
ment. The levee closed at two, to the regret
of many, who knew this was the last levee of
the season, and that to the private parties
which are to henceforth be the order of the
day, they caunot be admitted.
“Mrs."White, of Florida, is here,” says a
letter-writer, “and report says she intends in
troducing a new style of everything. Sue has
but lately returned from France, and there is
no doubt that she will bear the palm from all
party givers.”
The lady usually called “Mrs. Florida
White,” (because her husband, Colonel White,
represented Florida,) was celebrated for her
magnificent beauty and intellectual accom
plishments, throughout the Gulf States. She
was Ellen Adair, the daughter of Governor
Adair, of Kentucky. Her sister, Mrs. Benja
min F. Pleasants, was also greatly admired in
Washington society. These were two of the
seven daughters of Governor Adair, all of
whom were women of mirk for beauty and
talents.
Mrs. White’s cousin, Mrs. Fitzhugb, was a
courted belle in Washington in 1815. She was
tall and Bplend idly proportioned, posstssing a
commanding dignity of mien, with faultless
grace in every movement. She was fair, with
Olue eyes, and her dark brown hair fell in
heavy waves almost to her feet. Refined in
telligence illumined her beautiful face; her elo
quence iu conversation was fascinating, and
the elegance of high br ;eding harmonized in
her with feminine gtnteness. She was the
daughter of Dr. Rude, of Kentucky. Her sec
ond husband was Mr. C. M. Huntington,
Commissioner of the general land office in
Washington. President Tyler offered him the
position of Judge of the United States Court
in Indiana. 4
Hard Honest Work Wins.
If every boy in the country who has his way
to make wonld sit down with the fact, long
enough to master it, that nothing but hard,
houest work will bring anything worth having
in this world, there would be fewer young men
lookiog for some kind of work where they
could keep their hands clean, aud in doing
which they could lie in bed till eight o’clock in
the morning. There would be fewer looking
for such jobs, and more who were anxious to
work at trades, where the prospects of amount
ing to something is much greater.—American
Machinist.
A Veteran of the Sea.
The Europa is the name of a barque which
recently loaded at Newcastle, N. S. She was
built at Krageroe, Norway, in 1801, and has
only once before, in 1830, crossed tne Atlantic.
She was used as a transport during the Crim
ean war and took part in several naval skir
mishes in the war between England and
France. She has the reputation of never hav
ing touched ground since she was launched.
Though of the old tub pattern she traveled
from Bordeaux to Newcastle in twenty-six
days.—Toronto Globe.
