Washington sentinel., 1854-01-04
gotal anb 9frsonal.

the boys deserving their sleds, run towards Penn
syvania avenue, crying out, but not in whispers,
Sire q " fren Window sashes are hastily thrown
up, and people thrust out their hatless and unbon-
neted heads, and look first one way and then
other to see the smohe. Smelling none in their
Immediate neghborhoods, and satisfied aieirheuses
are not burning, the heads are Withdrawn and the
sashes let down. Voices, " away with her ~ away
with her - hurrah !" " fire !" are heard from the
mouths Of those who are pulling the machine and
the bark of dog is occasionally thrown into the
chorus The Perseverance, bell still rings. One
engine or reel, after another, is swiftly wheeled
towards the avenue and to it, and the current is in
the direction of the Capitol People standing at
the corners, anxiously inquiring, "where's the
FIRE 2" but receive no satisfactory response. Ladies
and gentlemen on their way to church, stop and
watch the speed Of the fremen, with the engines
rumbing behind them. The :" Percy" bell ceases
its ringing. The engines are halted near the
corner of Seventh street; crowd gathers, and
people stand in the snow, and silently look on.
The rival companies salute one another, Hurrah
for Blue Dick or "the Franklin" or the Percy;'
few jubilant screams, answered by Juveniles on
the side walks. Engines are turned round they
who man the ropes then pull their apparatus home-
wards, but not SO brskly as they ran from their
engine houses Through slush and snow they re-
turn, stand about the doors for thirty minutes
or more 10 canvass the merits Of the amachines
and settle their minds which first arrived at a
given point. An hour is thus spent. and all be-
cause the Perseverance engine bell was rung
The Advent of the New Year was duly
honored and celebrated in Washington on Mon
day. The public departments, the courts, and the
corporation Offices, were closed. and, to great
extent, business was suspended elsewhere in the
city.
Thousands of persons, ofall ages and conditions,
visited the White House, to pay their respects to
the President, as well as to participate in the gay
and joyous scenes there presented, and to ex-
change congratulations and good wishes, prompted
by hearts warm with the influences of bright
new years day. The representatives OF foreign
governments were not remiss in following the
good old usage of calling upon the executive in
body The Marine Band was in attendance, and
performed many choice airs for the benefit ofth
dense assemblage.
Many Of our citizens, together with the heads
of the several departments of the government,
kept open-house," and extended their hospitali-
ties, in solid" as well as in liquid" forms, to
their numerous visitors. Everybody was well
come, and at liberty to make himself at home"
The good sleighing was not nnenJoyed. The
gingling of bells without, and the gingling of the
glasseswithin doors, added much life to the varied
scenes.
Important to Travellers.--Wel learn from the
last number Of the . Plough, the Loom and The
Anpsi" that arrangements are in the course OF
being made by which the speed over the Philadel-
phia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad will be
greatly increased, and the fare reduced, so as TO
place trip TO Washington from New York within
everybody's time and means. Indeed, at this
time, the necessary arrangements are made with
the Camden and Amboy Company, and are only
awaiting the action OF the Baltimore and Ohio
Company TO be at once perfected, and announced
to the public.
The company propose to sell through ticket
from New York to Baltimore, at fee dollars, and
rund trip ticket, giving the passenger about three
days, tor eight dollars and Gtiy cents They also
propose TO sell a through ticket from New York to
Washington for str dollars, and round trip ticket,
giving the passenger from three to four days. for ten
dollars, Arrangements are also making 10 have
line or train run from New York to Washington,
and vice versa, inside of ten hours, If these ar
rangements will not be combining economy with
speed, we know not what will do it.
improvements In Washington.-Mr. John
Sessiord, sr has furnished the editors Of the Ma
tonal IaeArgencer with a column of interesting
statistics, showing the progress of Improvement
in this city 1t appears that, within the year 1853,
there were erected $50 dwellings, % shops, ETC.,
and 81 additions. Running feet of brick pave
ment laid, 17,779
Our venerable citizen likewise gives the num-
Der Of houses erected in Washington in each year
from 1919, the number at that time being ascer-
tanned by actual count by himself and continued
till the end Of 1853. The total number of houses
in 1919, was 2,02S. From that year to 1920, 1888
were erected; from 1929 to 1889, sa5; from 1889
10 1s49 1867; from 1919 to 1853, 1888. The total
number Of dwellings now is S,265.
In the city are forty-eight places Of worship, viz :
Ten for Methodist and Methodist Protestants !;
Presbyterians, seven; Episcopaian, six; Baptists,
five; Roman Catholic, five; Lutheran, two !;
borgian, one each and also nine coored congre-
cations.
In the neighborhood of the city, great improve
ments have been made in agriculture, building.
ETC.
Judge Cranch.-This distinguished Jurist was
appointed TO a judgeship by the elder Adams. BY
reason of his infrmites, he is now prevented from
taking his place the bench in the Circuit Court
IA seat which he has adorned for more than half
century. He preserves his mental faculties in
full vigor and is, as ever safe counsellor.
On Monday between forty and fifty members of
the Washington bar proceeded in body to the
residence Of Judge Cranch, to show their respect
Tor the purity Of his private character and the es,
nation in which they regard his ability as jurst.
They were handsomely entertained.
Charley Burke-This celebrated comedian is
now performing with great acceptance at that pop
ular place Of resort, Risey's Variete, a crowded