Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-09-05
MISCELLANEOUS READING.

WEBsTER's MARsHPIELD.-Ac correspondent
OF the journal of Commerce writes as follows
from Marshfeld, Mass:
''As you know the most of Mr.. Webster's
| LOO acre farm has been sold. The same
| is true of his large stock Of cattle. His man
| sion still remains in possession Of his only
son and child. Fletcher Webster. esq, and
several hundred acres of land around it.
The place does not look as it did when in its
glory ten years ago; but it is still attractive,
and in pretty good condition. The interi-
or of the house is hardly changed at all and
the library, portraits &C.. are now very
much at the lord Of the manor left them.-
The number of visitors to the mansion and
grounds is rather increasing from year to
year. A register of names was opened in
1853, headed by that Of the Hon. Edward
Everett A pretty large book has been fill
ed with names of persons from all portions
of the world second volume has been open
ed. The visitors come mostly during the
time from May to November; and the ar
rivals are specially numerous during July
and August. The grounds are open to all
who may desire to inspect them but if one
wishes to pass through the library and other
rooms, where the patriot lived and died.
moderate fee is charged to defray the ex-
pense of furnishing attendants, &c. could
not but admire anew the magnificent field
still attached to the farm, and situated oppo-
site the old Governor Winslow house. 1t is
extremely level, and with but few trees upon
| it. In size it is equal to the Boston Com
mon. 1t is now all in grass, and hand
somer field cannot be seen in New England;
and, so far as know, it is the largest under
cultivation"
A PRINTING OrrIcE.--We imagine there
are very few who know, when they read the
daily newspaper. through what difficulties it
has passed before reaching them.
The country farmer, when the work OF the
day is over; the city gentleman or lady,
when they rise in the morning and call tor
the paper. We dare say, never think that the
paper which they hold in their hands was
once raw cotton that it afterwards formed
protection for some person from the sum-
mer's sun and winters chilling blast; or,
again, that it was "old rags" at one time;
or that before the paper ia printed the COM
positors have to handle about forty small
pieces of metal for each line, about seven
thousand pieces for each column, or about
two hundred and fourteen thousand OF those
pieces of metal for the whole paper. That
in order to present readable sheet the brain
of many writer's is taxed, or that the aid OF
electricity and steam are brought into requl-
sition. That the compositors 60 to work
about seven o'clock in the morning, hardly
ever leaving the Office before l2 o'clock at
night, and not unfrequently, not before l
o'clock; that the paper is then taken charge
of by the pressman, who with one of Hoes
large cylinder presses, propelled by steam,
and capable of striking of three thousand
impressions per hour, prepares it for the
mailing clerk and carriers.
Surely, no one connected with printing
Office, from the editor to the "devil," has
very pleasant aton.-Petersburg Bulletin.