The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-02
ALEXANDRIA. VA.

ANOTHER CHANGE.-We had occasion. soor
after we commenced the publication of tn,
LOCAL News, to notice the changed condition
OF Alexandria-the utter stagnation of bust
ness-suspension of all commercial inter
course-the large number of unoccupict
houses-the desolate appearance of tn.
streets. and the general gloom that pervadec
everything. The contrast then, with wha,
Alexandria bad been but few months pre-
yious to its occupation by the Federal troops
was striking, but the change which has taken
place since that paragraph was written, has
been even greater. Now there is not an un
occupied house on King street, and, instead
of deserted or even quiet appearance, that
street is crowded from dawn till the hour
when the demand for the ''countersign" from
the military police, on duty, prevents the
passage Of soldier or civilian, except by spe-
cial permit. II, as we are informed by our
older fellow-townsmen, and from the recollec.
tions of that favorite contributor to our sheet
the "old bachelor" long rows of wagons,
with their snow-white canvas coverings, used
to line the upper end of King street, the num-
bers then could not at all compare with the
long trains that now hourly traverse it's entire
length, and the multitudes that throng the
side walks, give it more the appearance of
Broadway, than the main street of a city only
the size of our own Houses, too, upon this
thoroughfare are in such demand for stores,
shops and eating saloons, that rents have
gone up to point never before reached in
the palmiest days of the city, and, in many
instances, advances have been paid to rent
ors doubling the original prices
The houses being all occupied. stands"
after the fashion of larger cities, are making
their appearance at many of the corners of
the street, and in front and by the side OF
large establishments. The side streets, too,
leading into King, are also brushing up"
and partaking, in great degree, of the bus
tie and life of the main thoroughfare, and
Prince, Duke and Cameron streets are grad
aally merging from quiet and seclusiou into
activity, hustle and life.
This sudden infusion of unwonted ANNA
lion, and the rapid imitation of business. has
been caused by an influx of persons from the
northern cities, induced to make this their
abode while the United States army is sta
toned within the immediate vicinity of this
place, for the purpose of supplying the SUIT
lers, and retailing to the soldiers, whose
wants are, of course, numerous, and as SOL
diers, like sailors, will spend money when
hey have it, business Immediately after "pay
day. is generally very brisk, and the old
maxim, "quick sales and small profits" is
slightly altered-large being generally SUBJ
,tituted for small.
One of the principal features in the pro-
yress of the change which has taken place,
s the vast number ofeating houses that have
uddenly sprung into existence. and all of ,
which appear to be doing thriving business. I
We believe no other city, in this or any 9TH
r country on the globe, of similar size,
an boast as many eating houses as Alexan.
ria at this time. The man an hungered t
annot 60 astray for food, for on all sides the
igns of restaurants meet the gaze, while the
delicacies Of the season., hanging round l
n the outer wall, tempt the appetite, and Q
ldicate the luxuries to be obtained with q
The river front of the town alone presents
ne. same quiet and dull monotony that it has :,
Inhibited ever since the occupation of the
ty. On the wharves occasionally a few
,ectators gather to look out upon what il q :
ow literally waste Of waters" or to y
wait the arrival of some small pungy, thaty :
as been permitted to pass the batteries be-oSs
W. But all business is suspended, and =,
aste and decay will soon do their work, in
ted by disuse and neglect. !"
The change from gloom and quiet to the
usual and temporary activity and hustle, n.
,ich we have noticed above, is doubtless tn
sasing to behold, but in all the throng that ar
the thoroughfares of the city B,
" comparatively few are the familiar IA II
one meetsi Nearly all are strangers, most tai
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