Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-12-21

This homespun party is but the beginning
Of the end. Other Virginia cloth parties
will follow. The movement must go on.
There is no helping it. When our mothers,
our wives. daughters, sisters, sweethearts'
head the way, who can refuse to follow
A FREE SCHOOL ON A GRAND SCALE.
The New York correspondent Of the Bos-
ton Post, gives the following account OF II
public school in the metropolitan city.
The public school in Twelfth street, near
Fifth avenue, partakes of the characteristics
of its locality, and stylish surrounding
Its teachers are literally of the elect; being
unsurpassed as regards their capabilities
and accomplishments. The scholars, all
girls, are for the most part bright, Looming
and beautiful in person, and generally are
most daintily dressed, and affect to be very
distingue in manners. A fashionable ar
pervades the parlor-like school-rooms. and
everything savors of style and ton. Within
doors, and during school hours, this Is a
model school, aud marvel Of good
management; but there are one or two
draw backs to its perfection, which may as
well be aired before it shall be too late.
rivalry seems to possess the minds OF these
miniature women in regard 10 their outward
adornment, and to such an extent Is 1t car
ried, that parents are beginning to lind that
they cannot afford to send their aughters to
this free schuol-because, forsooth, It costs
too much TO dress and hoop them. ANY one
who will spend the morning hour, from eight
TO nine, near the mental Mecca OF these
500 damsels, will be convert to the views
! am ventilating. The natural sequence OF all
this il that fond fathers and mothers are de
tered from availins themselves OF free edu-
catonai privileges for their children, on ac-
count of the extravagance in dress, aud the
Wanting vanity displayed by the scholars
who now attend the Twelfth street public
school. Further than this, the conversation
as well as thoughts of the pupils, converge
to the same focus, leading it 10 be safely
inferred that whatever may be their text
books, their studies are chiefly aSthe-
tic Nor is this all The rivalry be-
tween the scholars in doors is matched by
an outside rivalry equal in degree, between
boys of every age, who await ut the gates
the schools dismissal. OF attcrnoons;-and
whose felicity it is to wait upon these pretty
girls with pretty dresses to their respective
homes or elsewhere. lmcipient beaux and
bellies, unfledged tops and hlrts. daily pair
of together, take easy lessons Of love, and
part to play the same game over on the
morrow This may be all right and proper,
but mistake ifthe theory Of common school
education 10 correctly conceived and carried
into practice by SO palpable nursery Of
luxury and vanity as have here described.
OBJ ENGLISH CHRISTMAS PLua PrDpI>G.-
To make what is termed pound pudding,
take Of raisins well stoned, currants tho
roughly washed, one pound each, chop a
pound of snet very finely ard mix with them:
add quarter Of pound Of flour, or bread
very finely crumbled, three ounces Of sugar.
one ounce and half Of grated lemon peel,
blade of mace. half small nutmeg, one
teaspoonful Of ginger. half 4 dozen eggs we'll
beaten: work il well together, pnt it int" u
cloth. tie it firmly. allowing room To swell,
and boil not less than two hours Ii should
not be suffered to stop boilins.-Hari>-
burg Tel.
The Idler, the Lounger, the Spectator, tn,
Rambler, and the Tattler. are all classical
works. but many a fellow is all these cilarac'
tiers in one-and yet no student ut all
UCTION SALES Al No. IS KING 81.
n OF USEFUL AND FANCY ARTICLES.
JOHN T. CREIGHTON, Auctioneer, informs The
public that he is having regular ENENlN