The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-06-02

A DECIDED SxNsATIoN.-The stream Of Quaker
dom which runs up and down Chestnut street, Of a
summers afternoon, was thrown into q singular
state Of commotion Saturday last by the appear
ance in the public streets, for the first time of a
pair of trousers upon the lower limbs of one of the
fair daughters of Eve. They were decidedly an
improvement upon the fashion Of our original
mother, whose costume, according to the fashion
descriptions of that period, did not embrace pair
OF trousers either so long, wide, of such un-
doubted respectability Of material and manufac-
ture. The sensation produced great; men,
women and children gazcd at it--them, we mean
with various feelings of favor or disapprobation
The bellies of fashion looked rather eezngly at an
innovation which had not the sanction of the Paris
fashion mongers, the only authority with them in
matters Of dress, whose DEGREES have the force of
vermillion edicts from the ruler Of tho Chinese EN-
prc. Long-skirted ladies drew themselves up
with prim propriety which would have proved
blasting to tho assurance of lcss presuming reyo-
lutionist and champion of the rights of the female
half OF creation. The beaux the only indi-
viduas who seemed to look upon the new fashion
with any degree OF pleasure. They were tickled
with II amazingly, though eomo with hirsute em-
bellishments under the nose occasionally stroked
their upper lips with additional pride, which
plainly said "You may steal trousers, but
moustaches arc the inalienable gift of nature. ;,
Never were pair of feet and ANGLES more closely
scrutnized and criticized since tho day the cob.
bier discovered the defect in the foot Of one of the
works Of Apellcs' chisel. They bore examination
admirably, and, as tho neat little lasting boot
expression was, decidedly pretty" We know
not who was the wearer of the pantaloons, but the
lady is undoubtedly Of those who consider the
sexes equal in rights and privileges, and she s
sIbly, experimenting with view to discover which
drcss is the best adapted to making ones way
through the crowd Of voters up to the ballot box,
when the glorious elective franchise shall become
in practice universal, as it now is in theory only.
Speed the day! We may then have pretty rulers,
if we cannot get wise ones.--Philad. Ledger
ORANGE AND ALEXANDRIA RAILROAD Com
rASr.-The second annual meeting of this com
pany was held yesterday in this placo-a large
amount OF stock being represented.
The reports Of the board and of the chief en-
ncer for the past year read, showing the con.
dition of the works and affairs of the company.
Payments, on account OF stock, have been made as
follows Eastern section, S336,290 81; middle sec
ton. S75,923 IS; western section, $4,636. There
will be required to complete and equip the eastern
and middle sections, over and above existing
means, Ss6o, 900; which the board propose TO bor-
row upon the bonds Of the company. secured upon
their road and other property The entire road
has been located to Gordonsve, where it connects
with the Virginia Central Railroad, at a distance
Of eighty eight and half miles from Alexan-
dra Ofthis distance sixty two miles arc in various
stages OF Advancement. The four miles next TO Alex
andria arc now in working conditions; and the laying
OF the rails proceeds at the rate of six eight miles
use to Culpcper Court house by the first Of April
1852. Efforts arc making 10 increase the subscrip-
ton for the western section frsm which sufficient
means arc confidently expected TO enable the COM
pany to put tho remainder OF the road under con.
tract Two thousand five hundred tons of rails
contracted for in Wales, TO be delivered by the
first Of December next, which will lay the road Il
Culpepcr Courthouse, distance Of sixty two
miles.
The engines and cars have been contracted 70,
by Messrs Smith Il Perkins, Of this place--witt
the exception Of one engine procured at the North
some of which are already on the road. and advan.
| tageously employed in transporting materials.
Considerable delay and loss to the company were
caused by the failure Of Egglcston, Mcdonald &
Co., the former contractors; but, under the second
lettings the work is advancing with all reasonable
| Observation-Disclosures Gazette.
NAvAL.-Thc United States brig Porpoisc, from
the African coast, put into st. Vincents, Cape do
| Nerd Islands, on the 9th Of April.