Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-04-19
F. FNING STAR.
Local Intelligence.

WHITE House "A number of our prominent
citizens participated yesterday, in the festivi-
ties attending the annual opening of the W hite
House Pavillion-a delightful summer resort
on the western bank of the Potomac, about
twenty miles distant from Washington The
party went down in the fine steamer Thomas
Cci,yer, under the command Of Captain Ged-
ney0 which had been chartered for the occa-
sion, and was gaily decorated with national
flags. The weather was most propitious-a
fsirer or lovelier day never dawned, to glad
den the heart Of man, or to brighten the
face of nature. Our own limpid and beautiful
Potomac was calm and tranquil as the sleep
OF innocence, ruffled only by the sporting
Nayelets that were chased upon its bosom by
gentle and nooling sephyrs.
Inc company reached the White House
about noon, after delightful run of two hours,
during which An abundance of good things
were partaken Of on the boat, and kindly and
social sentiments exchanged by the Joyous
participants in the festivities Shortly after
landing, the party were gratiied by witness
Ing seine-haul-upwards Of twenty-five thou
sand herring and three hundred shad, besides
innumerable "smaller fry" having been
gathered in by the hardy fishermen at one
sWoop OF the immense seine This, though
considered good haul at this backward sea
son, il by no means a fair sample of the yield
OF that watery mine Of wealth. A hundred
thousand herring and two thousand shad are
frequently caught by one haul at this landing.
There are now seventy i've hands employed at
this shore under the direction of Col Burke.
At ~ O'Clock dinner was announced, and
the company, with sppetites whetted BY the
pure and refreshing air, wendell their way 70
the large dining hall, where q scene was pre-
sented which would have pleased and gratifed
the most fastidious or epicurean taste. The
tables were graced with all the Injuries and
delicscies OF the season, both spiritual and
material, prominent among which were dis.
played, in all their freshness and richness,
the ever memorable and never-to- be-forgot.
ten Plank Shad! And, oh they were de-
iciousi Their sweet fumes seem yet to linger
In our olfactories, and are as balm to the hap
py recollections Of that joyous dinner scene
After the party had done ample justice to
the bounteous repast, Capt l. NJ. Powell, who
was seated at the head Of the table, arose and
stated that at the instance of several friends,
and in accordance with his own feelings he
would propose q sentiment in honor of their
old and esteemed friend, Philip Otterback. sr..
Esq, who sat near him. The gallant Captain,
after pronounciDg glowing eulogium upon
his venerable frierd, offered q toast CO npli-
mentary to him, which was received with Ct all
the hsnors," and greeted With hearty cheers
BY general req 2est, Mr.. F. McNerhany was
called upon to respond in behalf of Mr. Otter.
back, which he did, offering, in conclusion, a
toast, which called out Mr.. Edgar Snowden,
Editor Of the Alexandria Gazette Mr.. s,
after brief response, offered sentiment
complimentary to Col. Jno. A. Washington,
"a descendant Of the illus:rious father of his
country9 who briefly returned thanks. Mr.
Randolph Coyle propo: ed the health Of the
gentleman (as he is a modest man We omit his
name) who on a former occasion ate stpe,
pIGnEsd Shad without rising from the table,
and deserved to have his name inscribed in
letters or gold upon the imperishable tablet
of fame! The toast was drank with IN bounded
enthusiasm.
At this point the company arose, and after
spending an hour or two in various arause-
ments, shortly before sunset turned homeward,
reaching the Washington wharf about eight
o'clock, and bearing with them the most pleas
ing and agreeable recollections Of a ! the Incl
dents Of the day.
Great credit is due to the gentlemanIy les
sees Of the Pavilion, and especially to Mr. Of
terback, for the elegant Entertainment pro-
vided on this interesting occasion, and for the
unexcepionable manner in which the whole
affair was conducted.
DEATH OF JOHN AGG.-We are sincerely
panied to learn that our esteemed fellow citi-
sen, Mr.. John Agg, late q clerk in the Post
Once Department, died this morning at 9 a.
N at his residence, near the Naval ASYLUM
north of the city. Mr.. Agg was a native of
England. and first came to this country, SEINE
twenty i've or thirty years ago, as a theatrical
manager. His profession was literary, and
during considerable portion Of his residence
among US, he was connected with the press, as
editor of the National Journal, formerly pub
lished in this city, and, subsequently, as Con-
gressional reporter and correspondent He
was gentleman Of exalted personal character
and rare accomplishments from books, and
possessed fine horticultural taste shedding
light on society wherever he was we'll known
His death will be deeply regretted by large
circle OF friends in and around Washington.
Bis funeral will take place to morrow after
noon, at p. m, from his late residence.
TIE ECLIPsE.-Thousands of our residents
were gratiied, last night, with q view of the
occultation Of the planet Venus; persons in
some parts Of the city standing in crowds to
witness the celestial spectacle. The predic-
tons Of the astronomers proved true. In
Baltimore, according to the American Of that
city, the phenomenon could only be secn
from elevated positions, but this was not
the ease in Washington. 1t was observable
from the streets, though the moon and Venus
were near the horizon. The planet hid itself
under the dark edge of the moon a few min
mites before nine O'Clock; the one, as it ap-
psared, blending with the other; but the two,
after the lapse Of twenty minutes, were again
visible In the heavens. 1t was Q calm, beau
tiful night; the weather pleasant and May
like; and the spectacle was in a high degree
Interesting to all who witnessed the phenoms-
non. -
METROPOLITAN MECHANICS ISsrIrUrE.-At
Q meeting Of the Metropolitan Mschani In.
stitute, held last night, the following officers
we're elected for the ensuing year President,
Joseph Henry; First Vice President, Francis
Mohun; second, Charles 2. Wood third,
Joseph Bryan fourth, VIM. B. Todd; Cor
responding Secretary, Thomas Rich Record
ing Secretary, Peter NJ Pearson; Financial
Secretary, Henry Janney; Treasurer, VIM
T. Bayly; Librarian, Hollis Amidon Dirsc-
tors Phiness J. Steer, Thomas Creaser, VAL
sntine Hsrbsugh, Charles Edmonston, VIM
H. Ward, A. Baldwin, Samuel Lewis, James
o'Neil, and Thomas Barry. There are twenty
four directors, one third OF whom are elected
every year for the period Of three years. The
ninth person here named was elected to sup
ply the place made vacant by the election Of