Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-09-19
GEORGETOWN AFFAIRS.
Corrsspondsnes Of TRs Star.

GEoReHrowN, Sept. Is, 1857.
In ooedlence to very friendly invitation from
Messrs. Petit Barber, the constructors Of the
nne building at the Convent of the Visitation, we
yesterday afternoon had the pleasure of partici-
Patlng In the ceremony or exercises of topping
OUT 10 our utter surprise, upon reaching the
premises, we found from fifty to one hundred in
Vlted guests, among whom were the Mayor and
sevaral OF our city fathers, all apparently like
ou,seli, IN good condition and anxious to enter,
win good will, into the active portion of the
duties TO be performed on the occasion. After
a general survey bv one and all of the las far
the work has been done) perfect proportions of
the noble edfce in all its parts, both in exeCu-
ton and arrangements, upon a certain well-un-
dersiOOd signal given by father Petit the soul of
good nature and hospitality, the whole company
faced about and took up the line of march for one
OF the large rooms, where a temporary floor had
been laid, and other arrangements made for the
occasion. Here again all hands were somewhat
surprised, but not at all alarmed to find long
table spread, and well filled with dishes, fairly
gfoanhg beneath their loads of luxurious ed bleS
Never did a pack Of eager hounds snuff up the
trail OF their retredting victim with more eager
ness than did these good easy souls the inviting
odor arising from the piles of delicious viandS
heaped mp before them. One and all seemed to
be possessed of one of those lower order of souls
described and located 10y Pinto, all the dormant
energies of which seemed to be aroused into raw
enous mood at the first sight of the formidable
fXingS before it.
Lewis Carberry, Esq by request, placed him
self at the head of the table, and introduced to
the company his homo, Mayor Crawford, who.
after few pointed reIna, ks, gave the word of
command to fall to, when d general ringing of
plates, presenting of arms, and a precipitate
charge was made by the company upon the high
piles and conical forms before them pretty
thorough demolition of these seemed completely
to pacify, silence and put to rest the before
toned soul; aud a host of honest good fellow
qualities, which had before lain in ambush slyly
peeping out of the loOphOles of the heart. finding
this Cerberus asleep, soon plucked up spirits
and turned out in their HOLIDAY suits, disposing
their possessors to laughter, good humOr, and a
multitude of friendly offices towards their fellow
mortalS. All seemed to he partial believers in
spiritual manifestations. These the spiritsl were
consulted to some extent; after which many sud
denly became brim full of logic, and entertained
the company with short speeches, a Dutch song
and sallies of wit, which completely convulsed
the company with laughter. These exercises
were INDUCED in until the shades of night began
TO narrow the range Of vision to very small com
pass when the company departed to their homes
well pleased with Father Petit and Mr.. Barber's
method of topping out buildings, and with their
good opinions of the excellent Sisters of the es-
adjustment, who kindly furnished the abundant
supply of substantials for the OCCASION in no way
impaired
The building is truly a noble one, and will
stand IN after years 4 monument to the me
chanical skill of Mr.. \. Barber, Mr. r. Petit
and Mr.. George Lonodon, his assistant II fronts
ITO feet on Third street and s. on Fdyette. Ii is
four stories above ground. and contains about 10
rooms, ALL warmed upon the most modern style,
and differentiated. Mr.. Mills, who drew the
plan some twenty years ago, seems TO have been
thoroughly acquainted with the necessities of Il
building for school purposes, and arranged every
portion with an eye to comfort, convenience and
health. The first stone in the cellar was laid on
the 18th of June last, and the cap stOne of the
Dick work laid on yesterday with rejoicing The
very short space of time in which this extensive
building has been reared is almost incredible:
nevertheless, the workmanship of both the car
penter and bricklayer is of the most substantial
character, and will compare favorabIy with any
in the District When Father T.. and Mr. b. has
another topping out may we be there to help.
GEORGETOWN, Sept 10, 1s57
a called meeting of a large number of our citi-
Stns was held on Thursday evening" in the hall
of the Vigilant engine house, for the purpose of
recognizing the company. After the usual pre-
limnaries on such occasions had been gone
through, the following gentlemen Were elected to
ii / the various offices until the LIST Of January
prOximo: G. ii ROdier, president; fl C. Addi-
son, vice president; III. q Divine secretary; H.
o Reaver, treasurer; A. ROder, chief engineer;
NJ ;. McGinnis, captain of engine; John Find
ley, captain of suction: John scott, captain Of
hose. The very best feeling prevailed during the
meeting, and, from the character of the persons
who composed it, we are encouraged to hope for
the formation OF orderly. active and efficient
company. Such company is much needed in
Georgetown, and if the reliable portion of the
people would have such in their midst for tie
protection OF their homes and property, let them
attend the adjourned meeting on Tuesday even
Ing next, and assist, by their presence and infu-
ence, in its proper formation so that those eIe-
ments which generally originate iremen's riots
may he prevented from having any connection
with il.
Letters have been received in our city from an
the canal, bringing the Information that the
break upon the canal had been SO far repaired aS
to permit the water to DE let on ; but owing to
the great deficiency of water caused by the low
state of the river, and tn" lraky condition Of
Dams No. and ;, the fleet of boats which have
collected above the break are all tight and fast
aground, and will not he able TO proceed down
wards until after rain sufficient 10 cause some
rise Of water in the river. We hope the rain
which visited us yesterday reached that far If
SO, IL may have served in some measure to relieve
the difficulty. There appears to be screw loose
somewhere upon the canal, we can't say exactly
Where. A more active and energetic President
and Board of Directors never i'll our opinion had
charge of the work But we regret TO l,r com
PEELED to say that our confidence in the ACTIVITY
Judgment and experience Of some of the super
lniendtnts Is OF a very limited character indeed
Coroner Woodward held an inquest. Yesterday
afternoon, over the body of a white infant sup
posed to have been still born which had been
thrown, by some biped brute, into the canal ba-
sin, near the Watershed bridge. The lury rem
deFcd verdict according To the above facts
Sufficient evidence was elected, but not of
character recognized by law to satisfy the Jury
OF the identity of the mother.
Rev. John Lanahan, of your city, presiding
elder of the Potomac district of the Baltimore
Conference, is announced TO preach in the Dunn
blrtOn-street Methodist church, at IL O'Clock to-
morrow morning
The offerings of beef cattle at Drovers' Rest and
Fosset'S, yesterday, amounted TO 700 head; 500 of
which Were sold at 81 80, SAL on the hoof equal
to 50 Siae net; one small lot, of very prime sold
at II 21 the remainder Were driven TO Baltimore
Lambs very scarce and high, selling at S3al per
head
The flour market is buoyant, with a small adj
vance over our last quotations, which We're s. >
a 5.3. The wheat market is also active with an
advance Of a few cents-but little arriving. =
INN % arm Aann