Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-10-11
Loo AL IT E N y


and Elizabeth Harrisou-action of debt
The Court was engaged, during its session on
Saturday, in hearing the arguments OF coun-
sci on points Of law, and in examining wit
nesses in this case, which was confined until
to-day. Brent and Kiuzer for the plaintiffs
T. T. Hill, L b. Taylor, Ii. W. Thomas. suG
+. L. Smith for defendants.
The Court adjourned until this morning,
at 10 O'Clock.
MELANCHOLY ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, an in
terestirg little son of Mr.. Fairfax III. Whit
ing, while climbing up a grape vine arbor, at
his fathers residence, on St. Asaph, be-
tween Duke and Wolfe streets, Oh Friday az
ternoon last, when about ten feet from the
ground, fell, striking his head on the left
side causipg conclusion vf the brain. lie
fingered until l. O'Clock that night " hen he
died. Arthur was about years old, and
was general fsvorite with all who knew
him. This melancholy accident has caused
the deepest grief TO his parents and a uumer-
Gus circle OF relations and friends.
The CANAL During last week the re-
ceipts Of tolls at the Georgetown Collectors
Office of tie Chesapeake and Ohio Canal.
amounted to $685.. Ascending trade S27O,
Descending, S2325.
REDUCTION IN THE FREIGHT ON GUANo.-
The Central Railroad Company have reduced
the freight charge on GuanO from Gordous-
Vile to Charlottesville, lrom S2.85 per ton to
$40.
AsTR NcMIcAL.--We had the pleasure a
few evenings since, of examining number
of the most interesting objects, at present
visible in the heavens, by the aid of the foe
telescope belonging to our friend Caleb ).
Hslloweli.
The Comet, Of course, claimed our first
atteution. This body, so striking to the eye,
is somewhat shurn of its briiliancy when
viewed under high telescope power--:Or not
only is the tail, owing to its immense leugth
almost completely cut fl tTom the field Of
view, bus the undefned aud misty naturc Of
the nucleus itself is very clearly exhibited
10 fact, the telescope not only largely disPeis
all preconceiyei notijns as TO the formidable
character oi our visitor, but goes far towards
proving, in the opinion Of scmc persons,
tina: the whole is bat vast coilccicn OF
vapor. A separate examination OF the tail,
too, showed it to be apparently dittu-
sed mass Of light, presenting nc distraction
whatever to the visibility OF the stars, num-
ber- of which were distinctly seen through
out its whole length.
But, notwithstanding the telescope dispe's
illusion, and thus robs the Comet CT its cx-
trinsic srlendor, it leaves j: au exceedingly
interesting spectacle to the Intelligent opser-
yer. The nucleus is seen to be deeply bu-
ried in its cloudy envelope, which Is crowded
down upon it 10 trent a. it plows us way
through the heavens; just behind tie nucleus
too, and for some distance along the centre
Of it's length, the tail appears o! darker
shade, as though nerchance 1t might be
rarer there than on the sides, or even hoi-
low. This il, however, probably, au optical
illusion.
The Comet having been fully Observed,
tho magic tube was directed to the planet
Venus. now the beautiful! Evening S;ar-lieT
anpesrsuce was beautifully bright. much
like that which the Moon 10 her fast quarter
presents to the naked eye. The cCntlgulty
Of the Planet to the horizon, was said, on
the present occasion, somewhat to obscure
her briliancy, and from the same cause foo'
her disc Yves said to be rather less sharply
defined than it would have beer under more
favorable circumstances.
From Venus, our attention was next called
to an effect lar cut in the rsgions q space
which sent out a small and faint glow OF
lipht, as if i, were feeble star struggling
70 show itself through veil Of mist
The telescope was directed upon this, and
10 a glorious viscn burst upon the view.
The neJ,.lG was re$Olced, ard what before
had seemed dull and feeble star now stocd
out before the eye beautiful Cluster OF stars
not, how ever, as stars usually appear, ou:
surrounded by, and interminsled with faint
lights, and dark spaces OF irregular benre'
the whole presenting one Of the most inter
es,ing of celestial objects.
Other aeJul9 were, also, o5serVed--.heo a
number of fine douhle stars, the planet
Mars, and later in the evening, ed Jupiter
Just coming plainly into view, with his belts
and moons.
The entertainment altogether was most
delightful ore, 10 every particular. The teie-
scope of our friend is truly beautiful 10
s,rnmer,. il il one constructed by fi'z, OF
Nav York. 1t rests on pier OF masonry
aid is eouatorialy mounted and graduated
IN as 20 enable the observer 70 direct the
tute to any Of jet in the heavens whose pc
s;tion is known, although Invisible to the
naked eve. Besides this, 1t has most cor
veuient apperdage in what Is called CLOCK