Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-03-31
EV ENING STAR.
Local Intelligence.

Venus. Hone quotes from an altman &C printed
70 years since, in England, among others, the
following line:
The first Of April some do saw
Is set apart fOi AllfOols day,
But why the people call il so
Nor l. nor they themselves do knew.
But on this day are people sent
On purpose Tor pure merriment.
But Ills thing to be disputed.
which Is the greatest fool reputed:-
The one thar innOcfntly went
Or he that him designedy sent.n
The disappointment of the satyrs, who went
10 river to see Veuas battle, as related by
ovid, may have had something to do with the
fools" part In connection with it, and that
part attributes to this story the origin of the
ceremonies Of the Roman ladies, 'swho per.
formed sblutions under the myrtle tree,
crowned themselves with its leaves and offered
sacrifices 10 Venus "
I" But soon with myrtIes she her beauty yelled.
From whence this annual custom was entaiied.o
Forty-dve years ago, the coming FIRST day of
April, Napoleon married Maria Louisa, Arch.
Duchess Of Austria. With the Hindoos all
fools day occurs on the 3lst March, and Mus.
seimen OF the highest rank participate in the
sport.
ALUMNI OF WASHINGTON SsMNARY.-Some
twenty-five or thirty years ago, the Alumni of
this Seminary were students of highly re.
spectacle school in this city, and nobler set
Of fellows never was before or since colleotsd
within the walls Of similar institution. The
Washington Seminary was the chief literary
institution in this District, and its pupils were
the children Of many honest, worthy families
Of the District and vicinity.
A quarter OF . century has passed away
The teachers have nearly all gone to their
long account, and the boys" no longer such,
have been scattered in every direction to seek
their fortunes upon the checkered theatre of
ins-no two of them pursuing the identical
eccapstion, bat each one independent Of the
other. When We look around US as We daily
do, and observe those who were our early COM
panions-When We meet them one by one and
interchange the show de- do'' with them, we
wish to enjoy all the happiness again as We
used to do-to turn boy again, and TO greet all
our old compeers once more en- u.asse-that We
may recognise their familiar faces-recount
our old jokes and tricks, anecdotes, wit, and
fun The very anticipation Of such Q reunion
delights rs. We now observe those who used
to be boys with rs occupying posts of honor
and distinction, rejecting the highest credit
upon themselves and upon their Alma Mater;
and Why should not those, who, years ago,
we're young fellows" together, now be again
associated? With this view, therefore, the
Alumni Of the Washington Seminary have
agreed to associate themselves under that
name, and meet annually at the old Seminary,
and there, interchanging salutations, revive
the good old school-boy days.
A meeting of the old students of Washington
Seminary will be called in q few days, and il
Is hoped eur old Seminarisns will not fail to
attend. An annual meeting day will be ap-
pointed, and arrangements made for future
celebration. Oacers are to be appointed, &c.
of which due notice viii be given.
A NBw STEAM ENeINE-Our neighbor eff
The Union has just put into operation a new
steam engine, manufactured by VIM. N. Ellis
Co, of the Eagle Iron Works, Of this city,
and for efficiency, simplicity, elegance of
Workmanship, and beauty Of finish, we do not
thiHk that its superior can be found in the
country. It was exhibited at the late Metro
politan Fair, where 1t dsservedly attracted
both attention and admiration. The engine
II OF twenty horse power; length of stroke, 18
inches; diameter of cylinder, inches.
Our contemporary says: 1t drives with per.
feet ease IL large printing presses, and has
sufficient power to drive double that number
The new boiler is what is commonly called "a
locomotive boiler" and for economy in the
consumption Of fuel, accomplishes even more
than the guarantee Of the builder. The old
boiler consumed about twenty 1--we hundred
dollars worth Of fuel every year. With the
new boiler, the cost Of fuel will not exceed
eight hundred dollars year. Nofather ever
watched the virgin movements Of his first born
with more unspeakable satisfaction than the
foreman Of our press room watches the swift,
silent, and certain movements of the beautiful
piece Of mechanism intrusted to his guidance.
He firmly believes that no such engine ever
WAS or ever will be built; and "a his experience
In these N alters is not inconsider able We will
not undertake TO question his judgment.
THk CoDHICAfIos OF TIE LAws.-It Is to
be hoped that our observing, experienced, and
we'll informed fellow citizens will not hesitate
to lay before the board charged with the duty
Of codifying the laws of the District Of Colum.
bia, their views Of the legal reforms they may
think necessary. II il to be sincerely wished
that the labors Of the Board in question will
result a. bene6cially as possibly for the pub
lilo interest; and th at good result IL only to be
accomplished by and through the joint labors
Of all competent To advise wisely in such mat
tsrs and those Of the Board themselves The
experience Of nearly every active business
man in the District CT Columbia will enable
him to maks soms suggestion or other to the
Board from which the latter may draw inror-
nation likely to assist them In the successful
dischsrge Of their duties.
THEFr.-On Friday morning, about two
o'clsck, the auxiliary guard, while on their
beat on Pennsylvania avenue between Third
and Four-s and a-half streets, discovered a man
whose movements excited THAR suspicions th at
he either intended to break into store In th
visinity or commit an aot Of incsndi arism As
soon as he Peresived that they narrowly
watched his conduct he slipped around the
corner and outran the guardians Of the night
on returning to the place where tho man was
1rst seen thsy found . champagne basket CON-
tanning six fne hams, which, il was certain
under. The circumstances, did not come into his
possession honestly. They were taken to the
Watch-house, where, this morning, Mr.. j. H.
Caldwell, q dealer in the Centre Market
identified them a. his property. The rogue
had prised OF plank Of Mr.. CaldweIl's GOV.
cred stand, and by this means took his pick of
the bacon.
CARPETS .-Those in want Of these indis-
pepsiblss will find Just now at Clsgett 4 bod.
sons inducements to buy, such az are very
rare, indeed. They are actually selling new
sarpeting Of all qualities, from the most ele-
CANT and fashionable down to the ingram, at
L. ha1 70 fow ,srntt.