Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-03-19
Letter from Petersburg.

Correspondence " tie Aiecandria Ga=ette.
PETERSBURG, March l5-Thc season Of
Lent is being observed here by our Catholic
and Episcopal citizens, With ceremonies Pc
culiar to those denominations. Al the
church of the former, in addition to tile reg
ular service, an impressive ceremony, styled
the "Way Of the Cross" is observed On
every Friday evening, and is participated
in by large and deeply interested audiences
The congregation i, at present, under the
pastoral charge Of the Rev Thomas Null
vey, who is very highly esteemed as IN able
divine, and much admired for his social
qualities BY the members Of his own charge,
as well as by those Of other denominations,
who have the pleasure Of his acquaintance
The Rev Robert IL Andrews, formerly 81
your city, delivered two exceedingly interest
ing discourses in this church on Sunday
last, to delighted auditors, and won great
praise by the ability he displayed in the dis
cussion Of his subjects; and if these be fair
specimens of his style, he bids fair to take
high rank amongst the divines Of his par
ticular persuasion.
Evidences Of an early spring trade are
every where visible in our midst, and a
spirit Of hopefulness seems to peryade al
classes of the community, which i doubt
less owing to the growing disposition to en-
courage direct foreign trade from this port,
as we'll rs the absence Of that spirit ~
croaktuj which hangs as dead weight on
any community where it exists, and which,
| am sorry to say, have seen exhibited in
some localities with which am quite fami-
liar. The truth is, the confirmed Croaker is
greater curse in business community
than an occasional confagratiOn, for while
the damage done by the latter may be re
stored with additional protection against
similar result; the destructive Influences Of
the former are never ended but are con
tinually at work until the poison engenlcr-
ed by this spirit, communicates to and diff
fuses itself throughout the business opera
tions oi the more timid, and the sad effects
are seen in the loss Of energy and the utter
abandonment Of means, which, If properly
persisted in, might have led 70 the most IA
vurable and prosperous condition Of affairs.
Many improvements are now in progress
here, which will add greatly to the business
facilities, az well rs to the adornment Of the
cty-the most noted Of which is the cree
ton, by Messrs Stevenson, Weddell & Co.,
of a spacious block Of buildings, to be used
rs stores. They are 10 occupy the present
site of Powe's Hotel, on Sycamore street.
to be four stories high, with iron fronts Of
the most chaste and beautiful patterns; and
if completed according to the plan, will pre-
sent as handsome an appearance As any
buildings for similar purposes in the Union.
These evidences Of the increasing prosperity
Of this city, cannot but be highly gratifying
to those who have contributed 70 bring about
this result; nor can they fail to stimulate
their juniors in business, to aid in develop
ing and maturing those plans, which have
heretofore been attended with such happy
consequences.
see by the Gazette, thar the spirit Of i'm
provement is also abroad in your city and
that the present season bids fair to be mark