Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-06-11
LOCAL IT. 8.

4 '
Lewis Mckenzie, esq. the President of the
Company, Sidney 6. Miller, the Contractor
for its construction to Clarke's Gap; 7. ii. De
Witt, Secretary Of the Board of Public
Works, }. 7. Armstrong, Of the Board of
Aldermen, John West, of the Directory of
the Alexandria Canal, and several other gen
tlemen, the writer took "A ride over the Alex
andria, Louioun and Hampshire Railroad, as
far up as Arlington Mills, to which point the
rails have been laid, yesterday morning,
leaving the Depot at { o'clock, and enjoying
a most delightful trip. The country along
the line of the road presents, at present, a
most beautiful appearance-covered with the
richest verdure.
The road, as far AS completed, is one Of the
finest in the State, as it bids fair to be one Of
the most important to Alexandria and the
Commonwealth The material used in its
construction il Of the best description, the
bridges equal to those on any road IN the
country-in appearance slight, but strong
and durable, and constructed on the most APP
proved plan-and there is Il solidity about
the work and an ease and smoothness with
which the cars move over it, which is u SUBJ
iect Of remark and commendatlon. Al
though in Il gondola car, the jar was not
AS great MS we have experienced III the pas
senger cars on many roads. There is anoth-
er noticeable feature on this road; that Is,
a DISPLAY of neatness which Is rarely seen
on Il work in course Of construction. There
is no sloyenliness and no half done work
Every thing is fntshed a. the work progress
cos and hat part of the track which il bal
lasted presents all appearance most pleasing
to the eve of the traveller, Every thing is
done right at first, and while a little more
time NAV be occupied III thus making n
neat finish" yet i'll the end 1t Will be found
the most economical method.
The work Of track laying is being pushed
forward, and At the Mills we found numer-
Gus teams engaged i'll hauling the cross ties
up the track, preparatory to laying the rails.
The grades on the road are very light. and
so far the curves few and easy.
The bridges over the Canal and Washing
ton Turnpike are models and elicit the adj
miration of all skilled III engineering; and
the sight from the Turnpike, a. the cars
20 daslling along above, is truly picturesque.
When the long trains from the Coal
fields of.Virginia, laden with their rich mill
eral products, shall commence coming, in
wha, numbers, and with what pleasure, will
our people. at leisure hours, stroll near To
that place to witness the iron horse, "a he
comes laundering on, drawing after him
freight for many vessels already awaiting
his arrival at our wharves.
The approach to the city by this road is
most advantageous and beautiful, giving the
traveller Il glimpse of Washington city and
Georgetown. with a fine view of the Potomac
and the MARYLAND shore opposite: and the
country around our city, especially in that
direction, is in the highest state 81 cultiSa-
ton, and presents a most charming appear
ance.
The locomotive Lewis Mckenzie, which
took our party out, is Il splendid engine,
built with all the latest improvements, and
when il was desired, we were taken along at
a most rapid speed, The buildings Mt the
Depot are all very neat, and combine conve-
nience and cummOdiuusness. Indeed, all
that we saw was well calculated to please.
The morning was bright and clear-the at
mosphere delightful--the country beautiful
the company most agreeable-the ride
inyigorating; and we shall not soon forget
our first trip over the Alexandria, Loudoun
and Hampshire Railroad. May its progress
he rapid ! 1t is destined to be a great state
work, and long may its officers live to ENJOY
the honor and praise they 50 Justly deserve
for the energy, perseverance and ability with
which they began and have advanced this
road.
CAR MASurAcroRY.-The large Car Fac
tory of Mr.. John Summers, on Pitt street,
between King and Prince streets, has been
completed, and workmen are now engaged
on the first Passenger Car for the Alexan-
dria, Loudoun and Hampshire Railroad.
We hope soon to see a large number of
hands employed there, and cars turned out
almost daily, not only for our own roads, but
for shipment South and West. They can be
manufactured as substantially and cheaply
here rs at the North, and our facilities for
transportation are equal to almost any city
in the Union.
LEcTuRE.-The last lecture of the course by
Rev. Mr.. Lanahan, on the subject of Catho-
licism, and in answer to the lectures of Rev.
DR.. RYDER, was delivered in the Methodist
Episcopal Church, on Thursday night 10 a
very large and attentive audience.
W,sH1yGToN IrEMs.-The work on the new
Dome of the Capitol has received a fresh
start By reason of the arrival from the toun-
dry at New York Of some hundred and fifty
tons of iron work for the interior of the first
or pillar" section Of the dome. This iron
is now in process of being put in place, to do
which q considerable number of workmen are
engaged.
The Washington National Monument So
ciety, having applied to the Secretary Of Val
for an engineer officer to take charge OF the
monument. under the direction Of the socie-
", a. an engineer and architect, the Sc
retary has detailed Lieut.. Ives, of the tOpo-
graphical engineers, for this service, in az
dition TO his duties under the War Depar,-
mant.