Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-12-27
LOCAL ITEMS.


Laws. reported in reference to the subject
referred TO them. that no legislation was
necessary in regard to fixing by law, fare to
he charged by Omnibus and Hack drivers:
The Committee On General Laws reported
an act amending an act defining the duties
and fixing the compensation Of the city sur
yeyor. The hill fixes the salary at 500 per
annum and s. per diem while engaged in
work for the Corporation; for surveyinga lot
81 to be paid by the owner of said lot, with
compensation Tor assistants and 81 Tor re-
cordng in plat book .s...
4 petition from Mr.. +. L. Smith, for a re-
mission uf taxes on a lot within the bounds
of the late city extension, was referred to
the Committee on claims.
An order for opening the Soup House aud
appropriatins $3.50 for the same was passed.
The Committee on Streets reported In
favor of the proposal of Mr.. Reid, for paw.
ing Fairfax street, between Queen and
Princess streets, which was adopted.
An election for messenger of the Board
was postponed until the first meeting in
March.
COMMON CoUNciL.-The minutes Of the
last meeting were amended so as 10 read TO
the intersection of Duke and Union streets.
4 petition from L. L. Smith was referred.
Action of Board of Aldermen, in regard
tc omnibus and hack fare, was concurred in.
Raport of General Laws Committee, in
reference to compensation of City Surveyor,
received from the Board Of Aldermen, was
amended in various particulars, and ordered
TO be returned to the Board for their con-
currence.
Action Of Board Of Aldermen for opening
the Soup House concurred In.
Communication from the Board of Alder
men, in reference TO paving Fairfax street
exteuded-laid on the table. Adjourned.
DINNER TO THE INDUSTRIAL SCHooL.-A
sumptuous dinner was given to the children
OF the Industrial School connected with the
Young Mems Christian Association, on Mon
day last. Contributions of turkies, chick
ems, hams, sweet potatoes, pies, cakes, apples,
&C., were sent TO the Armory Of the Rlhe-
men (which was politely rendered, free OF
CHARGE where a table, forming hollow
square, had been prepared, which was soon
beautifully spread with the good things men
toned, that came pouring IN from all quar-
tiers. After everything had been arranged
to suit the most fastidious, the matron called
the classes, which were marshaled by their
teachers, and conducted III regular order to
their places at the table.
After the blessing, and the children had
been invited, they did ample justice to the
elegant dinner; at the same time, they exhi-
bited commeudable modesty, aud preserved
remarkably good order, showing that the
benign influence Of their teachers had not
been IN vain.
After dinner. each scholar, with Il bundle
from the table for home consumption, re-
paired with the teachers TO the Hall OF the
Young Mems Christian Association, where,
after prayer. and the Christmas carol was
sweetlv sung, each scholar was presented
with dress, as Il Christmas present. After
which, Mr.. Scntt addressed the school IN
some appropriate and eloquent remarks.
Then the exercises were concluded with the
doxology, and al went away with bright
faces and merry hearts.
Too much cannot be said in praise of this
institution, which is now III u most flourish
ing condition. We have in our midst. some
of the most noble ladies in the word-to
prove it, We point to this school and the
night school. besides other standing mona
rnents of pure benevUlence and selt-sacrlhce.
CHOIR MrsIc.-un Christmas morning, in
company with several friends, we attended
High Mass, at ST. Mary's Church, at 4 o.
clock, A. NJ We are not connoisseurs In,
nor critics Of, music, nor were we, so early
that morning, enjoying remarkably tran
uul and pleasant state OF mind, and there
fore easily pleased, for We were tired
and almost worn out with our prolonged
efforts to have the latest news for Tuesday s
Gazette, but we must mention the especial
delight we experienced in listening to the
music Of the choir The lady portion of St.
Mary's choir has long been noted for its ex-
cellence, tut on that morning, it, if possible,
eycclled Itself. The tenor, a gentleman be-
longing to tie reporturial corps, was far SUI
perior to many we have heard in famed ope-
ratio companies, and OF the base, we will
say, without fear of contradiction, that the
distinguished and powerful Amod!o was
vastly his inferior. The accomplished and
gentlemauly Prof. Foertsch was at the or
gan, and the swelling and sweetiy modula-
ted tones OF the we'll mauaged instrument,
commingled with the voices Of the singers
the melody Of each of which was peculiarly
distinctive and well articulated- produced ii
total, the pleasure Of experiencing which,
we shall long remember.
CHRISTMAS Tuesday last was Christmas,
and as Il consequence the Gazette was not
issued yesterday morning. All other hol-
days are local, natotal, peculiar. The
Christmas festival is the WORLDS holiday. 1t
is the oldest extant, aud was celebrated be
fore any other was ever thought OF. Ii was
first kept by angels, who inangarated it with
songs Of lave to d, and peace and good
will to men," and it will continue To be cells
brated till the drawn of the millennium.
which is The ccn.ng elimination OF the sys-
tenn of which it was the beginning. But
the gnuc Christmas was not ike those which
have preceded it, in our sectinn tor though
"ChriStmas comes hut once year,
And when it comes il brings good cheer
still the feelings of the heart were not allow
Of full vent The prevailing dread though
appe lrently concealed by the general h'larl-
~ and generous sympathy Of the time, still
cropped out upon the surface, and married,
what should otherwise have been Il happy
day.
HARPER's FERRY-A ramon prevailed ex-
fansi, ok in TOWN last evening of an eHlUfe of