Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-09-29
EVENING STAR. =
[coNMUyIcAfsD.
Uncle George, the cid Bricklayer, with Henry
Clay and his Mutton-Visit TO Georgetown
Ccliege-In Curiosities, &c. -.a.'
GEORGETOWN. Sent. 21- l2hI

Clay and his Mutton-visit 70 eeorgetown
College Its Curiosities, &c. .a
GEORGETOWN, Sept q, 1854.
Having leisure hour few DAYS since.
in company with friend | took a stroll
to Georgetown College for the purpose oI
enjoying the pure air, the agreeable com.
pany Of the inmates, and examining the
many objects of interest with which the
venerable institution abounds. -.,s -
On the way thither we had the plea.
sure of calling ia to see old L ncle George.
Everybody in Georgetown and thousands
elsewhere have heard of old Uncle George
Mahoney. the unwavering friend and ad-
mirer of the great compromiser, Henry
Clay. For several years the old gentle.
man has been driven by age and phys.
ical affliction from the walks Of busy life
to the quiet shades Of his own neat cot.
tage near the college gate from which he
rarely ever enaerges except to attend his
church, which is situated within a few
steps of his own door. At one time he
was one of the leading mechanics of the
District, being by occupation brick
layer; and many an elegant building
in existence bears the impress of his me.
chanical skill. And Notwithstanding the
weight of more than three score and ten
years and severe Affections bear heavily
upon HIM, he still retains all the vigor OF
mind and buoyancy of fispirits that char
acterlzed him in early lie; and nothing
seems to give him moro pleasure and sat
isfaction than friendly visit by an old
acquaintance, to whom the second salu.
tation is the presentation of a we'll filled
snuff box, with gentle invitation to
take little clay, after which, if desired,
his remarkable piece of mutton is exhib-
tied. We denominate it remarkable, BE-
cause of its associations and the great
length Of time it has been in the old gem
tleman s possession. Upon it there hangs
a tale, mot the original one, though,
which, although Uncle George does not
feel free to relate to every visitor, we
shall venture to unfold, and risk our long
and intimate Acquaintance as an Offset to
his objections, ii he should have any to
our so doing. -' -
1t will be remembered by many that,
twenty years ago, the great Mr.. CLAW
had presented to him by friend, while
in Washington, remarkably fine sheep,
which he had slaughtered and dressed,
and divided among his numerous friends
in the District of Columbia. A piece of
this mutton was procured by Uncle
George, from one of his old friends, Mr..
S. Cropley. Immediately upon receiving
it, he formed the determination never to
eat it until his idol (political) was elect
ed President of the United States. when
he intended to have it properly served, =,
and furnished with all the necessary or
naments and condiments, and invite a
number of his political friends to part,ci-
pate with him. He accordingly secured
the services of one of our most skillful
butchers, Michael Weaver, who exercised
his very best skill in7curing it in the
most approved style. And strange to
relate, although, the aforementioned
space of time has elapsed since it was
cured, it still remains in perfect state
of preservation, and retains all the odor
peculiar to that species Of meat. But
unfortunately for the old man, his hopes
in this particular were never realized
And although the man whom be ardently,
we may say passionately adored, has
years since been gathered to his father
he still retains the piece of mutton as a
sort of memento to remind him of his
MIR. Clay's) many efforts to Danish dis
cord from our land, and to make our
country great and glorious. And TO this
day the bare mention of the name of Mr..
Clay, in his presence, or recapitulation
of any Of his public acts, seems to send a
thrill Of Joy to his heart, and cause his
bosom 10 heaye with thrill of utterable
emotions, and tear Of regret to course
down his cheek, that the man whom he
loved no longer lives and acts among the
great men of our nation in the halls of
legislation. -5 g
From Uncle Georges we continued our
way on to the college, where we met
with very gracious reception, and re-
ceived acordial invitation to examine all
such objects as might tend to interest
and please us. ID .--a.t-o. .
In every part of the spacious buildings
attacked to this institution, there is much
to crafty the taste of the lovers of the
fine arts, most of the walls being thickly
studded with rich paintings and engrav-
ings, many of which are of antique ORR
gin. and as curious in design as they are
excellent in execution. In the museum
there are very many rare natural curiosi-
ties, as we'll as curious specimens of Inc
chaDical skill, both from civilized and
unciyillzed life. Also large collection
Of the gold, silver, aud o;her coins of
almost every civilized nation now in ex-
istence, together with large number of
well executed and costly medals. --.-
The library, which contains some nine
thousand volumes, abJundS with works
of the rarest character, being the pro-
ductions OF some of the greatest authols
who have ever written, and many of the
books are as curious in execution as they
are remarkable for the brilliant and in
shuctive thoughts which they contain.
Here lin the library the antiquarian, il
familiar with the languages, may find an
abundance of mental food on which TO
feast and satisfy his peculiar mind =
Works upon almost every subject, and
in every tongue. Many of which date
back several hundred years, ..,-..--
Every department of this extensive in
stitptian which is allotted for the use of
the students, is constructed and arranged
so as to be most conducive to health, and
Al al Af1.k l.