The Nevada Democrat. [volume] (Nevada, Calif.) 1854-1863, 1857-05-20
a Remarkable Pilgrim.


the following beautiful aud impressive story of
the quadrennial pilgrimage of a venerable gen.
teman to the Capitol, to witness the Inaugural
ton of the President. The gentleman alluded
to can be no other than George Washington
Park Custis, the only man living who has known
personally all the Presidents:
A PILGRIM TO THE APPROACHING INAUGURATIoN
ON THE FOURTH or MARCH NExT.-On the 4th of
March, and on Pennsylvania Avenue, apart
from the crowd, will be seen an aged man plod-
ding his way TO the Capitol Hill, pilgrim to
the Inauguration.
Since the inaugarations have occurred at the
city of Washington this individual has made
pigrimages to them, by visiting certain spot
near the Capitol, where was once large stone,
on which that pilgrim would sit during the per-
Torrance OF the ceremonies in the building, aud
when the first gun announced that the ceremo-
nes were complete, the pilgrim would rise. and
pronouuciug the name of the new President
and his date in the order of succession of the
Chief Magistrate, the old man would remark,
what nextY aud then take up his line of
march for his home in Virginia.
This pilgrim has had the rare honor of per-
sonally knowing, taking by the hand, and break
ing bread with all the Presidents of the United
States. Brought up in his youth at the then
seat of the National Government he enjoyed
the most distinguished opportunities of seeing
things that illustrated and adorned the early
age of the Republic, dgnifed to all time as the
AGE OF WASHINGTON, storing his mind at that
auspicious period Of his life, with recollections,
the most imposing of the olden time, and the
glorious memories of the past,
On the inauguration of Mr.. Madison in 1909.
the pilgrim departed from his usual habit of be-
ing merely "looker-on in Vienna" and took
a somewhat remarkable part in the events Of the
dav Whom tho President 10 tired from, thn 10 nj
tol, on rushed the crowd to the worship of the
rising sun. The avenue was nearly deserted,
while the hum Of the multitude faded in the dis
tance, then appeared on horseback, and entirely
alone, Thomas Jefl; rson. The oM pilgrim point
ed out this spectacle to two Revolutionary Off
GERS, Col. Thomas Parker, and Major Butler,
(who were lookers-on,) saying, "See gentlemen.
how soon great man becomes neglected, and
his services forgotten in America, when he ceaS-
es to be the fountain of patronage and power
Whatever may be the patriot and statesman's s
politics now, they were the right sort in l776.
and led to the independence of his country
Honor to whom honor is due" The Revolu
tionary vetrans now begged to be introduced,
and the small party falling into line, the retired
Chief Magistrate was escorted on his route down
the avenue. by trio Of his political opponents.
The Pigrims stone has been removed for some
years, to make way for the improvements of
the grounds about the palace of the National
Legislature, but the pilgrim will be somewhere
near the ancient spot, and while the sounds of
artillery still linger about the echoes of the
Capitol. the old man will say, "James Buchan-
an, fifteenth President Of the United STATES! What
ncXt?' And then having in all probability per-
formed his last pilgrimage TO an Inauguration,
the old fellow will take up his line of march Cor
his home in Virginia.
MI. CAsANAvE-E -EMBALMNG THE DEAD We
have already had occasion to notice the eXraor
binary process of embamng discovered by Dr.
Holmes, OF New York, aud of which Casanave,
Of New Orleans, has purchased the patent for
that city and its environs. There are two spe-
cial features about this process which render it
at once marvellous and admirable. The first is
the instantaneous manner in which it is effected.
The corpse is'not eviscerated nor any portion of
it removed, but a simple incison is made In the
arm. aud the anti-septic fluid injected into the
blood vessels. The second is, that when the op-
Grafton is completed the body presents per-
tectly natural appearance, without odor, and so
remains for an indefinite period, perhaps for
ever.
On Saturday last we had an opportunity of
testing the value OF this astonishing discovery.
We accompanied Mr. Casanave to Cemetery No.
III Benvlle street, in which he had erected
brick chamber for the purpose of temporarily
this room in an open cotiu we found the corpse
Of a little colored boy, aged aboOt three years
who we learned by the certificate Of his medical
attendant, DR.. Wether, died Oh the 5th of Octo-
Der, 1856. He was embalmCd few hours sub
sequent to his dccease aud had lain in this vault
ed chamber upwards OF six months There was
not the slightest sign of decomposition visible to
the eye. or percepuble to the smell or touch
The corpse resemblcd that Of one who had just
breathed his last. The child had been large
and plump, aud his sickness, though mortal, had
been too brief and violent to effect emaciaton
Consequently the face, arms aud body had not
shrlvelled or shrunk away, but presented per-
fectly natural appearance. The apartment, as
well as the corpse was free from any cadaver
Gus odor whatever. We were lost in admira-
ton at the surprising results of this truly scien
tiiic discovery.
A highly respectable gentleman from the
North, who died on Friday, was embalmed the
same evening by Mr.. Casanave, and his remains
will be placed in the vault. until his friends are
ready to remove them.-Erchange.
---------..---.. ...-
AGoxIzING SCENE AT A FIRE.--A terrible fire
had just taken place in Aldgate, London, on the
premises Of a vctualer. The discovery was
made by police-constable No. GAS of the City
force, by seeing smoke pouring through the ap-
pertures Of the bar shutters The constable,
without delay, sounded the alarm, and sent off
for the Royal SOciety's fre-escape. Afterisome
trouble the whole Of the inmates, consisting of
the laudlady, her son aud daughter, Mary Hol-
man, the barmaid and Jos. Rippon, the barman,
were made sensible of their impending danger,
VIII en- they made an attempt to descend the