Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-11-11
For the Spirit of the Age.
TO MISS MAGGIE GLENN.

Pardon me-, an entire stranger, for presu-
ming to address you with so much familiari-.
ty; but to tell you the truth, | have heard
so much about you, hat | feel quite like an
old acquaintance. And knowing that you
are interested in what is going on in the world,
and particularly among your friends and re-
latives, | have concluded to give you an &C
count of a trip l had to Georgetown, in com
pany with your sister, Mrs. M, Miss F., Col
2. and Gen. Goodman. You will please ex-
cuse the slight mistakes l may have made in
the titles of the gentlemen. In such excellent
company you will not wonder that every mo-
ment was enjoyed.
Just imagine us starting from 9th Street,
at two o'clock in the afternoon, with our
cloaks wrapped about US in the middle of Oc-
tober, and a high wind blowing the dust in all
directions, and, by the way, the dust is al
ways ready for a frolic in Washington, as you
well know after spending so much time as
you have in this place of places Well, as |
was saying, when we started We were all in
high spirits, and had several ideas between
US and as we took an omnibus they were not
quite all blown away before we reached the
place. Our first visit, after leaving the yehi-
Gle, was to the cemetery ; and what a lovely
resting place it is for the weary pilgrim, after
plodding on through this world; how peace
= lO11y liz Nu11 1O OOW1 Ub 1OOO III O1lO VI OIIO
many pleasant hooks in those delightful
grounds, while the beautiful birds of the for
est chant their songs in the tall treetops over
: his quiet bed. While the Col. and the rest of
! the party were strolling about, [ took occa-
i sion to make a sketch of the Chapel, which
| is a little gem in its way, with the ivy cling
ing about it so lovingly. Before leaving the
grounds we entered it and sung one or two
songs that called forth considerable applause
, from the Colonel.
Il Vending our way from the city of the
dead, we assembled the Heights and had a fine
view of the surrounding country. Our
thoughts were naturally carried back to times
IS when our country was the scene of war and
bloodshed, and we congratulated ourselves
that now every one can sit under his own
, wine and fgtree-with none to modest or
make him afraid" provided he has one. After
J some rather severe punning, we left the
rs heights for a visit to the convent. Being &C
i'd quainted with IN accomplished young lady
- who attends school there, we were cordially
welcomed within those walls, and allowed to
be visit the public rooms and dormitories, all Of
u which were in exquisite order-not a particle
y of dust could be seen resting upon anything
After we had seen all parts of the building we
10 were ushered into the music room and oul
0d fair friend gave us one of the finest perform
dIlC0S UPON GIlC SIdI1u pIdIlO CIldG We o. 4Lc
nd tened to in a long time. Miss l.. is certainly
cs a genius, being only fifteen years of age anC
possessed d of such wonderful execution. : VIZ
- hope she will soon come out into the WorlC
" where her talent can be more fully apprecla
ny ted.
to On leaving the convent we took our wa,
cd to Mrs. Emma D. E. n. Southworth's, an
rly met a very cordial reception from that lady
nd Her parlor speaks of taste and comfort in Ian
hv guage not to be misunderstood A cheerfr
nv fire was burning in the CRATE when we entel
II ed, and a more cheerful conversation coul
'ne not be desired than was carried on during til
EN- hour we spent at her house. She told I
to many interesting incidents in her life an
md travels, which made her works still more Ell
tertaining than they had been at the time
reading them. Her house is delightfully."- 81
ler uated on a hill overlooking the Potomac, ar
the view from the piazza is one of the fine
lng we have vet seen. Your sister was very muC
use delighted with our visit and hardly knew no
she to tear herself away from a place of so mu'
interest and the General entirely outd
himself in the way of complimenting the fa
Authoress. 1t was quite dark when we I
turned home and the wind still kept up
III l bowling, but we neither needed WING or dul
so well pleased were we with our ~excursio
der And the hot oysters served up by a most e
fore celehU O0G@' ooulc hoC DC eaIieoS least
and aeason alia u 1In u soui' put Mere iuli0
of terta;nmon4 - m%y 10 III baou 10 : :
tlon sinner man." Thus ended our trip, but
me; livein hopes ofone other of equal interest, ey
lntS a journey to a certain valley farther SOU
where the tall trees stand, reckoning your
tand ter's return. It may be that Charley will
saw one of that party. So please widen the &C
Gle" a little, for the admittance of your rien
- including ABBIE
Washington, Oct 26, 1857.