Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-08-04
For the Phenir Gazette. ]
ALEXANDRIA MUSEUM.

DAYS that visited the Museum of the town.
In other towns, had seized with avidity, the
first opportunity that occurred, of witnessing
the productions of Nature and Art exhibited
in them. but the little reputation of our Mu'
scum, and the neglect with which it was treat.
ed, induced belief that it would not repay
the trouble of a visit In this belief, did vi
sit it, and have been much mistaken.-And
though l have witnessed, with the highest
pleasure, those of Philadelphia and New-York.
yet ours may vie with the best, and stand e.
qually as great monument Of pleasure and
instruction Though it has not had the adj
vantage of being located in large city, ia
nous for its population and wealth, yet it can
with propriety rank with Peale's of Philadel-
phia, and it excels Scudder's Of New-York.-
Possessing the richest and most interesting re-
lies of ancient times, one would naturally sup
pose himself carried back to the period, when
they were as common, as they are now the
reverse. They recall to the mind, delightful
images of times long past, and revive feelings
ola noble and exalted character.
1t would be work of unceasing labor, to
undertake an enumeration of the beauties
that adorn ito point out the magnificent
and brilliant spectacles that meet the eyes OF
every beholder. The mineralogist can be
gratified with the richest and choicest selec-
ton of minerals,-the sculptor with some of
the finest productions of the chisel,-the
painter with the most beautiful touches of
Van Dyke and of West, and the man of plea
sure with every thing amusing and instructive.
In gazing upon the bastile, (made out Of the
cement of that building Immediately after its
destrction) we are naturally led into train
of reflection upon the pain and miseries, that
many an unfortunate fellow being has endured
when incarcerated within its walls. We SYM
pathise with the noble beings that have there
dragged out miserable existence, for ina
ginary or feigned crimes, the victims Of un-
controlled tyranny, and despotic sway. Our
feelings are lifted from this sad train of re-
| Election and highly elevated, when we are told
it was presented to the father of his country by
the great s good La Fayette, the ever stedfast
friend to liberty, and foe to tyranny. The flags
taken from the enemy during the war of our re-
volution are objects of peculiar interest. We
behold the flags of our naughty invaders, who
were carrying devastation thro' our land, COM
pelled to sink before the blows of Freemen,
and become the spoiia op,ma of those whom
thew were destined to enslavc. The gilded
ground work, and rich embroidery of the Hes
sian standard, bears a strong contrast with the
poverty of the petty hireling prince, who bar
tered for gold, the destruction of his princi-
patty and people. He sold himselfto tyrant
to enslave people struggling to be free, and
vet bore as the motto of his standard, '.pro
pr incipe ct partial" The black Wax Candle
that Illuminated the prison of Louis XVI is
placed in the Museum, and trivial as may be its
appearance, it still excites the most painful
emotions. Howev much Louis may have
deserved death for the wrongs he inflicted
upon his people, and the cruelties he ex'
ercised upon them, still there is something
| repugnant in the idea of a brave people
putting to death their own prince and sove'
reign. The part he took in our struggle
for freedom-the assistance he afforded-natu'
rally leans us to his side, and causes us to con-
denim the punishment; yet it is firmly believ-
ed that he deserved death, and that it was the
only method of quoting the murmurs of an
injured people, and proclaiming to crowned
heads the extent oftheir prerogatives.
There are thousands of other gratifying
sights, that will amply compensate every visi'
tor. It an institution that ought to be pa
tronized, and the people of Alexandra can by
sufficient encouragement make it the pride
and ornament of the town, and the admiration
of every beholder A little protection would
render it known, and every traveller who So
iourns in the place, would pay it visit, and
depart with satisfaction at the hberaiity Of
our citizens have been correctly informed
that this Museum is the exclusive property OF
the town, and that the Mayor and Common
Council are constituted Board of Managers
under whom the present interchangeable, ASST
duous, and highly competent manager per
forms his duty. ! ask of those who have moi
seen it, to go and judge for themselves and
feel satisfied that the opinions here advanced,
will meet with the appreciation OF every impair
iaiperson. CiiiHEN
| During violent storm OF rain on
the 9Th inst. in Kingwood, N. J. a sun,
fish 4 inches long, fell into the yard OF
Mr.. Nathaniel Atchley, and was i'm.
mediately taken up alive by him and
placed in tub of water where 1t swan
about, right glad apparently, to get
| into its native element. How the tsh
came there, we are at loss to divine,
as the place where it fell was more
than mile from any stream of water,
and no person was near, save those
l. ftxe