Washington sentinel., 1854-02-07
yotal anS 8srsonal.
TRIVIAL Incidents Connected with Grave

Trivial Incidents Connected WIN Grave
'suhject.--We have heretofore alluded to the fact
that false report prevailed in the city few days
since, to the effect that one Of the members of the
grand jury, physician, was, on Tuesday, while
in the jury room, suddenly stricken by disease and
died. to the excessive griefof his felow-assocates
and of his relatives and many friends.
There are few incidents connected with this
subject which may now be innocently mentioned.
It appears that on Tuesday morning the doctor
drove up to the City Hall, and, after remaining
there short time, sent home his carriage by a
friend, (who had business in the direction Of his
residence) while he proceeded on foot to visit
some of his patients in the upper part of the city.
Just about this time the painful report of his death
was started and circulated. II soon reached the
ears of his family and they, Of course, lost no mo-
ments in inquiring Of the gentleman who brought
home the carriage as to its truth. The gentleman
could give no information, as he presumed the dis
tressing event happened during the time occupied
by him in his journey. The wife Immediately got
into the vehicle, and proceeding to the City Hall
there had the inexpressible JOY of meeting with
her husband in his usual good health nothing
whatever having occurred to impair it.
During the same forenoon relative ofthe doc
tor had returned to Washington, after an absence
of about sixteen years. His sister, in JOY Of this
event, had dismissed the school of which she is
the teacher and this termination Of the educa-
tional duties of the day was construed into mark
ofrespect for the deceased.
There were other events which willing minds
accommodated to the report, thus authenticatng
the rumor, without much room for a reasonable
doubt as to the doctors death.
On Tuesday night, a friend sent messenger to
the doctors residence to inquire into all the par
tculars Of the supposed sad event; and the mes
senger, though at first startled by the appearance
Of the doctor, who answered the bell summons,
had the satisfaction of learning from his own lips
of his good and sound condition.
An old gentleman, with imperfect eyesight, de-
clared that he had seen piece of Grape on the
knob-mistaking shadow in the partially opened
door for substantial badge Of mourning!
Friends focked to the house to tender their
sympathes, but went away assured that the doc
tor was still alive.
1t is said that while truth is putting on his boots
falsehood travels league, and SO it was in this
once, several days elapsed before everybody was
assured Of the falsity Of the rumor.
On Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning,
the doctor was walking by the navy yard and at
bell-ring the hundreds of workmen issued forth for
their homes. Seeing their friend, they were great
ly amazed, and at stopped to cautiously scru-
tinize his features and assure themselves Of his
identity. This fact being established, they rushed
forward to shake his hand and rejoice with him
as though he had just risen from the dead!
How and by whom the report was started is not
known; but certain is the manufactured intelli-
gence occasioned stir in the community, and
created not little annoyance TO the doctor him
self.
The Age.-Several evenings ago, DR.. s. c.
Busey delivered lecture before the members OF
the Columbian Engine Company, they having re-
Gently established library, with view to intel
lectual and moral improvement-an example
which we trust will be followed by their fellow
fremen everywhere.
The subject of the lecture was sthe age'-the
present age-one prolific Of very much thought
and expression. "The arts and sciences are ad-
vancing with locomotive speed" TO borrow the
language Of the doctor; 'sthe genius Of invention
is around and about us; the phenomena Of nature
are made subservient TO man." The kind of spro-
gress" which he advocated is that marked by a
spirit of consistency and characterized by desire
to improve the spiritual and temporal condition Of
man; that which is intended TO extend true civil
izaton and advance the cause of religion and
civil liberty. This alone is worthy Of commenda-
tion. In pursuance Of the thought, the doctor ad-
ministered heavy dose of medicine TO those af-
fected with the 'sickly sentimentalities" Of the
day, and to others, whose pride it is to adorn their
exterior in preference to enriching the mind with
useful knowledge, and whose jokes and small
talk afford unmistakable evidence of the extent of
their mental possessions.
In fact, he skilfully exposed the alarming dis
eases of the times, including that which assigns
to intellect merely secondary grade. There is,
he says, as much fanaticism in relation to the
social condition of men there is in religion and
politics, and it is equally as dangerous. And he
pleasantly showed that this, too, is age of theo-
ries, sophisms and hypothesis. Turning aside
from the diagnosis, he adverted to and commented
the general prosperity of the country in all the
in the social condition generally; his remarks
being in advocacy Of that sound and substantial
progress which tends to elevate, not depress man
in the scale Of being
Our limits will merely admit Of an alluson to
the doctors creditabe efforts-the first lecture be-
fore the library association of the Columbia fire.
men. 1t was delivered in the presence of large
numbers Of hearers, who bestowed upon it the
praise to which il was entitled
Elegant Penmanship.-We yesterday saw
some superb specimens Of penmanship, executed
by Messrs. Tracy and Williams, late professors Of
that art at Duff college, Pittsburg Pennsylvania,
who have opened academy at Washington
Place, on Seventh street. They come TO our city
highly recommended as teachers. Good chro-
graphy is accomplishment which every one
wishes to possess; and if persons who so fire.
quently complain Of their "hands," and occasion
others much trouble to decipher their manuscript,
do not now amend in this particular it will be be-
ran hay lad yba al, of ~.