The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-07-03
From The Philadelphia Pabiic Ledger.
THE VICTORIA MANIA;
Or, A Day in PHILADELPHIA.

Messrs. Editors: | lately left my native
town i'm the country with the intention OF
spending day in Philadelphia, and for that
purpose [ took the steamer Robert Morris at
/ Wilmington When landed at Dock street
wharf fancied | was in some city OF the
| English domnions. The moment | landed
on terra frma espied large placard posted
on wall at a corner of a street; IT run as
follows: 1.-The splendid painting of her
| Majesty Queen Victoria still continues open
at the Masonic Hall" | walked little fur
ther on, when stopped opposite fashionable
BARRIERS shop-at The window, among other
articles, was a variety of hair brushes, with
portrait of 81 her most gracious Majesty" on
them was very much surprised 10 see
this, but, on turning the corner, noticed the
words "her Majesty Queen Victoria" in very
prominent characters, and found out that It
was recommendation of some tooth pow
| der, because she patronlzed IT, entered
the Exchanse-the first thing saw was
bust of her Majesty standing on the mantel-
piece. walked out, and doubted In my own
mind whether the days of old had not re-
turned, and we were yet bowling beneath the
scepire of England. ! strolled up Chestnut
sireet--saw al an auction store some Yankee
clocks Tor sale, with Victoria portrait for
an ornament; | stopped at perlumer's TO
purchase something in his lne-saw some
Queen Victoria soap, composed expressly
for the coronation" After having made
few purchases, | crossed the street, and, at a
hat store, in Bank Place, saw some "Victo-
ria riding hats" and an engraving Of her
Majesty" mounted on white charger, air
ing herself in Windsor Park, on Friday, Sep
TENDER 8, 1893, at 27 minutes past 10 o'clock,
A. M. walked on, and stopped at cigar
store, where, among other catchprnnies, saw
5" Victoria canes" Victoria riding whips"
&c. Kept on. and was opposite dry goods
store where !" Victoria lace" Victoria mus
lin," and Victoria gloves" were for sale
continued my walk, and great crowd
| opposite bonnet store-thought somebody
was hurt-asked what the matter was, and
found that the true Victoria shape" was to
be found there.
/ | walked on and met man with tray on
his head, full of plaster images, among which
her Majesty's" bust was very prominent
| Passed the Masonic Hail. where .her Ma es-
" is for exhibition" Whilst | was reading
transparency, standing on the pavement some
thing was thrust in my face, and "A cry at the
Same announced, Buy Ledger, Genius,
fimes.' and something else; got the two
first. On opening the Ledger, the latest news
from England was, "the Queen was in per-
| feet health" In the Genius there was no.
| iice of an old woman who sold ;. Victoria bean
soup" | had now walked mile. Crossing
Tenth street, | saw muslin transparency
with Suy's Nictoria-last day." painted on
1t. | stopped to look into music store,-
There was the "Virtoria grand march, the
Victoria quadrilles," &c. When | had
Toasted my eyes on the many fine ornamental
| instruments OF music, &c. heard mourniul
noise: turning round, poor ragged urchin
wished me to purchase paper OF pins. did
so, and put them in my pocket, having first
noticed that they were patronIZed by "her
Majesty Queen Victoria" could bear this
no longer; went down into an oyster cellar,
got something to eat, and walked as fast as
could 10 the wharf; there was no boat to 90
until the next day, so had to 20 to the BAL
timore," formerly Victoria House" where |
went to bed and fell into uneasy sumber.
At daylight | got up and went down to the
wharf. and got on board the steamboat as well
as could. Saw fine brig with the English
ensign flying. What is her name !" said | !;
90" said little boy, that's the Victoria"
| turned my head away, and saw man COM
! i1g up to me with very mysterious air he
commenced telling me that he was n poor
4 man, who was obliged to sell few trihes, as
! he was palsied, and could not work. "Well,
what hiye you got p said |. He had n little
basket with him, which he opened, aud drew
ou, puff II "Qteea Tictonia's Family Pills.
/ this capped the climax of Victorias. got
1 box out Of pure compassion, and they, like
most other pills, turned out to he mere shave.
he time drew near to start, the la / bell rung,
/ the hawsers were taken in, and took my
! leave from Phrladel phia.--bu think that the
name of Victoria-deIphia should be given it.
I A. ID. +.
\ Philadelphia, June, 1889.