The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-12-11
CORRESPONDENCE.
WAsnINGToN, Dec. 8, 1S45.

y
well imagine The careful persons, like the sim
ners. (from their want of care, } take the broad
path, that is, the middle of the street, aud even
then are not safe from fall Our police regula-
tlons are not enforced at all in the Capitol of this
great country. Though there exists law tina,
tue snow shall be cleared from the pavement. by
the occupant of each house, in front of his door,
yet you would in vain learn the existence of such
an ordinance from the actions of the landholders
or their tenants. Several persons have had iniu-
rinus falls and to add to the terrors of the walk
ing. the boys play handy our broad avenues,
and plug tops TO the imminent danger (not always
in mere perspec,ve) of the noses and yes of The
wayfarers
Though our hotels and private boarding houses,
are well filled. ii is the opinion that we shall not
have very gay winter. Mrs. Polk has not any
taste for mere gayety. she being member of the
Presbyterian Church. Of which Mr. Sprole's)
she with the President is n constant attendant
You may see each Sabbath the plain carriage of
the President, regular as the coming of the day,
drawn by couple of horses going church wa I'd and
hnmeward, morning and afternoon. Mr.. Buchan-
an, the Secretary of State, is Presbyterian, and
bachelor. gaiety will no, have much to do in
his household. Mrs. Walker is member of the
Methodist Church. and one of the most amiable
aud intelligent ladies' in the land The Secreta-
ry, her husband, is fond of society," but he prefers
should imagine the social evening, where friends
collect without premedilalion, to the set party.
Mrs. Bancroft has lately lost an interesting
daughter, and is in deep black. saw her yes
-, IL. e
a member, and Of which, as | have heard, her
husband was formerly distinguished preacher.
The Secretary of the Navy is an interchangeable
member of the Cabinet, and will have no doubt,
do much to elevate the literary character of his
conntrymen in the line of political life Mr.
Pauldng former Secretary of the Navy, you
may remember, did not distinguish himself az an
official. know not what the predispostion of
the Secretary of War and Post Master General
may be, to fashionable life, but think not very
favorable. The Attorney General with his ex
cellent family have removed from street over
the canal, just out of town, and much to the re-
greet of their friends who will not be able TO visit
them as much as they otherwise would. Mr..
Mason is the very soul of kindness and hosptal.
ty, and most popular with all parties. To one
of the finest nelects in the country he Joins the
most nnpretending and winning manners. You
Virginians may well be proud of him.
Notwithstanding the disagreeable walking yes
terday, the Churches as far as could Judge, was
we'll attended. 10 the morning | heard Mr.. An
ger. the Unitarian clergyman, lately from New
England. He preached a doctrnal sermon from
Hebrews, chapter IL, v. 9. "Looking unto Jesus,
the author and finisher of our faith; who for the
joy that was set before him endured the cross,
despislng the shame, and is set down at the right
hand of the throne of God"
Not agreeing in sentiment with the Rev gen
tIeman. shall say nothing of his faith but he is
certainly man of mind. He, however, reads his
sermons, and scarcely ever lifts his eye from the
MS. He has great defect in his reading.
He sounds too much the double S, in his pronun
citation and gives kissing tone, of course, to his
enuncaton of the letters. | observed several
strangers of talent among his audience.
In the afternoon heard Mr.. French, of the
Church of the Epiphany. ! was too far off to
hear his text, but the subject was the use of mu-
sic in divine worship. The subject was admra-
bly, illustrated from the work of inspiration, but
am sorry to say that Mr.. French's choir made anv
thing but harmony in their musical exhibition
Some eccentric stranger had got into the choir
and he took the decided lead and kept it., line
ahead of all the rest This put me in mind of
Pope's line, with which consoled myself,
''All discord, harmony not understood.''
Washington is healthy-there was talk of
Small Pox being amongst US, but there ia no case
of it that know Of great number of persons,
old and young, have lately been vaccinated And
should the disease be amongst us, there is little
danger Of its spreading. bill is TO be introduced
before our City Council providing for the vaccina
ton Of the poor.
The cause of Temperance goes on bravely-
Notwithstanding the bad example SCI, US by GER
tain Of the Representatives of the land, the faith
full still abound.
Our Lady friends are making great prepare
lions for Fairs. &c. The Rev. Septimus fusion
] see, publishes card inviting his friends to
Festival in aid Of the new Church which is be-
ing built for him, and Mr. French's congregation
are busy in setting up Fair, to be held in Apollo
Hall.