Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-02-19
LOCAL ITE MS.

fce will A. we have already mentioned, be
formally opened tomorrow. The lot on
which it is situated, is on the \. h. corner OF
Wolfe and Royal streets, about 5O feet on the
former and 80 on the latter The build
inc il of brick. with walls Is inches thick 10
the second story, and ii above, and covered
with slate. The shape is that OF L, the d.
mansions Of the transverse section beng %
Inv 30 feet, and those of the front building
l4by %: the height to the cornlce is about 81
feet, and the floors are elevated feet from
the Ground. There are two double round
t.,ppcd windows in the first story, and three
in the second on the front, the rear having
four. and the sides two single ones in each
story: while the sides of the front building
have one to each In the centre Of the front
is a large white cross, and above the front en-
trance 4 marble tablet, bearing the lnscrip-
tion;-"St. Mary's Hall, erected by the
Young Catholics Friend Society, a. d. 1858"
Passing up the steps in front, you enter
spacious vestibule through sliding doors, and
observe. on eacl side, door which leads to :.
handsome room 80 by 2S feet in area and IL
feet high, ventilated in Il superior manner by
means of hues. These are intended respec-
tivcIv for male and female free schools,
whenever the revenues of the society shall
warrant their establishment, and they have,
accordingly, separate entrances, one opening
10 Wolfe, the other to South Royal street
Immediately at the front door, are two STAIR
cases, leading to the second story, and at the
head of these. door opens into a fine library
room 90 by 10 feet in size, situated over the
vcstibule. Opposite this is double door,
through which the main hall is entered
This is one of the finest rooms i'll Alexandria,
being 80 by % feet in the clear, and ID feet
in HEIGHT. 1t has ten fues for ventilation,
and is provided with the usual appendases
of benches. chairs, &c. The stand Is at the
east end. opposite the door, and is built IN
three sections, the central one, OH which Is
the Presidents desk, being elevated two steps,
and those on the sides, for the Secretaries,
one step above the floor. The desks are OF
neat panel work, stained in imitation OF
black walnut, and richly vanished. This
room is to be used for the meetings of the
Young Catholics Friend Society, and for St.
Mary's Sunday School, which will occupy 1t
for the first time tomorrow morning.
From the junction Of the main and front
buildings, handsome cupola rises, which
contains Il bell of fine tone, weighing about
500 lbs, and is surmounted by beautiful
cross, supported by scroll work. The cost
of the entire building, including the lot, has
been somewhat less than five thousand dol
lars. The brick work was executed by
Emanuel Francis the carpenters work by
Jenkins a. Lambdcn, and J. \. Steiner: the
painting and glazing by Monroe 4 Hurdle;
the clustering by George W. Maxwell: the
gas fitting by Cogan & Brother and the stone
work by Charles l.. Neale; 5. L. 6. Morsell,
esq, being architectural superintendent.
The hall will be blessed precisely at three
o'clock, tomorrow afternoon, by the Rt. Rev.
John McGill D. d., Bishop of Richmond, az
many persons being admitted only, as the
hall will conveniently hold; and immediatey
afterwards. the Bishop will deliver, Ill St.
Mary's Church, an address, explanatory Of
the ceremony. and Il collection will be taken
mp in aid of the building fund.
The NAPIER BALL.-The mplimentary
bali given to Lord and Lady Napier as =
mark of the cordial esteem entertained for
them during their residence in the Uni
Ted States, and of the sincere regret enter
tanned at their approaching departure, was
in every way worthy of the occasion. The
tickets were all taken, and many residing In
the city, who had delayed making appllca-
ton until yesterday, found themselves too
late. Parties of ladies and gentlemen came
on from the northern cities to attend the ball,
and, had the halls been larger, 1t Is estIma-
ted that at least two thousand persons would
have graced the scene. As 1t was, some
fourteen hundred were present.
The guests entered the hotel by the door
on 18th street, which was temporarily shell
tered by porch extending over the side
walk. The entire range Of parlors on that
side of the house were used as reception and
dressing-roomS. \ broad staircase, decora-
ted with natural flowers, led down into the
main ballroom. This is one hundred and
fftv feet in length and was draped with the
flags Of all nations. the ''stars and stripes
and the ''rcd cross" predOmnatlng. At the
northern end of the room was platform Tor
the quests of the night, behind which were
fulI-lcngth portraits Of General Washington
and Queen Victoria The floor was painted
in cmhematical devices, and in IN orchestra
was "a full quadrille band, which dlscoursed
very fair music. In suite of slde-rooms,
communicating with the ballroom and with
each other were seats for those who chose to
be lOokerS-on.
The scene was of course very brilliant
one. graccd rs it was by many prominent
government officials: members of Congress;
officers of the army the navy, and the marine
corps: foreign ministers, secretaries, and AT
tachcs: and fair representatives of almost
every State of the Union, besides foreign
lands. We noticed several special reporters
from New York, busily engaged III taking
notes"
Late in the evening curtain at the south
crn end of the dining-hal was drawn up and
disclosed prolongation of equal length
which was occupied by supper-tablc most
profusely spread Some Of the ornamental
devices in confectionery were very appro-
pirate. The festivities were prolonged until
late hour in the night, and apparently to the
enjoyment of all who participated IN them.
The Messrs. Willard deserve great credit for
the manner in which they carried out the
views Of the committee. Wash. Union.
CHURCH MEErING.-Wc learn. that pursu-
ant to previous notice, Il meeting of some of
the subscribers to a House Of Worship for the
use of the Methodist Il. Church South, con-
templated to hc erected in the neighborhoOd
of Mokcly's SchoOl-House. Fairfax, was held