Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-02-12
Yofal anS DerspnaI.

tible. Wewere once familiar with all the localities
but il is not so now. The "sprit OF progression
has .blocked up" with houses our Fairgrounds
and has even overrun grave-yarJs, once sacred
and inviolable, and swept away orchards, at thai
time tout oftown." where we often honored the
proprietors with visit, over the fences, tempted
ny pendant fruits like those which even our 6rs
parents could not resist We freely say, however
that we are willing TO make reparaiion on the pre-
sentation ofthe bills for damages.
Towards park was a favorile resort on the Sab
bath and holiday occasions. It's grateful shade il
summertime was always duly appreciated; but
now wealth and taste have destroyed the beauty
and fragrance of nature, and immense piles Of un
poetical bricks, and mortar. and stone, occupy that
once delightful resing-ground. Architectural
taste asserts its supremacy and foliage and birds
live hut in the memory. il is there that the mon
ument 10 Washington looms up in classic gran
deur, surrounded by so many spacious and ee-
giant edifces.
But we will not attempt 10 particularize. II is
sufficient for our purpose to say that the waste
places" are nearly all filled up. There are few il
any, lonesome paths, as OF yore. A spirit seems
10 have been awakened ITO finish the city, as il
was circumscribedby the corporate limits gene
ration ago; and now enterprise is continually
diverging easi, west. and north, destroying the
country" in lis onward advance.
Buildings which were once considered respec-
table" have been pulled down 10 make room for
imposing structures, and even church >teeples are
higher than in days past and the places of wor-
ship themselves have lost their ancient aspect OF
planness. Verify, changes have been made, not
so apparent 10 the constant jewellers Whereabouts
as to those who, familiar with what Baltimore
was n former days, and having III cir homes else
where. occasionally revisit the city, aad contrast
its past with ills present aspect
But few ofthe sign boards bear the same names
they did quarter of century ago. and strange
faces almost entirely circulate where familiar conn
tenances were SO often seen. A new generation
has come into being, crowding ssthe old folks from
the stage Of action The spirit Of posthumous re-
spect. too is abroad, evidenced by The providing
Of handsomely adorned cemeteries for the repose
of wasted mortality. Enterprise, and tact, and
commerce. and the arts, and the sciences, are en-
conraged TO extent never before equalled.
Charitable institutions increase, and the social
condition continues TO be Improved. Prosperity
seems TO exist in all directions, aud an ardent city
and State pride. as ever, prevails. Enjoying a
pleasant. favorable, and healthy location. with in
centives to positions of honor and worldly veal.
governed by benefcent laws, and with past h.-
tory which the people may always fondy cherish,
we not aware ofany population more happily
circunlstanced than that Of Baltimore, and with
more abundant reasons TO be thankful 10 gra.
cious Providence
The Recent Attempt to Break Jail On
Saturday night last, between eleven and twelve
o'clock four Of the inmates Of the jail Mullin,
Montgomery, Long, and Charles, (alias Sims,) made
nm effort 10 escape. With an old caseknife and
IN iron stair rail- they effected an opening in the
wall which separated their apartment from the
centre ball--the latter occupiedby female prison
er-, who on this occasion proved that their sex
could be safely entrusted with secret, The
guard heard the noise occasioned by the mechani-
cal operations and, on ascending TO the cell.
peeped through the grating, when they saw one
fellow squeeze through the I" hole in the wall'
which he and his companions had made, and
then another followed but had hardly got
through, uhe women facilitating the transit by
seizing the adventures by the shoulders and
gently drawing them out, head foremost,) when
the hoarse voice of the guard came like
thunderbolt upon them. These two however
directly returned 10 their quarters through the
same small aperture, mortified and disappointed
Of course at their failure. The object Of the
prisoners was, getting into the centre hall, TO
saw one Of the iron bars Of the window, and let
themselves down into the yard by means of a
rope made of blanket. This effected, there
ha, E,rtb ar h,
wooden fence.
Some friend Of the parties had provided them
with files and neat little saw, which the keepers
captured in possession Of the prisoners
They We're in remarkably good spirits before
surprise, MS appears by letter which was
iuund addressed to Mr.. Daniel Smith, the jailor,
and his assistants. The writer says:
g An opportunity having offered this morning.
by which | was enabled TO breathe little fresh
air, and indulge for day in one or Two other
luxures prohibited in the Institution Of which you
have charge. ], Of course, ayailed myself OF the
o .asion 10 bid you good morning for the present.
YOU need not trouble yourself offering a reward
for my arrest, or making my leavetaking public.
as have too many interests in Washington, 10
admit Of my sacrificing them for the short time
have 10 serve our venerable Uncle Sam. So yon
may expect me for breakfast on Tuesday morn.
lug, except my mind undergoes material change
in the interim. JOHN NJ. MULLlN"
Another letter, written by Jim G. Sims, Tor
Chares,) reads as follows
ITO the jailors 10 general: At the option OF Joe
Sims was sent to remain in your charge until
could amass sufficient captalto start an insurance
Office. Not seeing much prospect of beiterng my
p-cunary prospects here, have, in conjunction
with some others, concluded 10 paddle my own
canoe for while, and let Mr.. Sns's vessels run
their usual risks. There are various objections
which have to Uncle Sam as boarding master,
in none Of which include the very gentlemanly
jailors. Should ever visit you again, hope to
meet you all as friends. Good morning, gentle.
men
Quite COOL
The inception and failure Of the plot reminds
us of The remark Of Burns, that .'ihe best laid
schemes of mice aud men gang aft agley"
Theft.-On Saturday man named Alfred APP
peiius, went TO the house Of another, Charles
Brown, residing on Eighth street, and asked for