The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-10-19

w estmOrelanu cfaIG Hileu Will Woou, gram,
and country produce were to be seen!
Next, strolled to the grave yards! Ah!
there the old names met my eyes. They
were more populous than they used to be
but, save in that, not much altered from the
old times. There was no one with me, and
gave full vent to my feelings. My tears
could not but fow-although unused to
the melting mood"-as l stood over the
graves of the best men and women that ever
lived in Alexandria. Here lie many of the
excellent of the earth-Here rest, forever,
some Of the nobest spirits that ever blessed
their friends and companions. Oh how l
fingered around the tombs-How the names
the past. | threw myself in an agony of
grief upon the turf which covered the re-
mains Of one had loved fendly when he
was in the pride of youth-now, he is scarce
ly remembered of whose talents the
whole town did honor--and there prayed for
the dead Some may haggle-but the
heart and the feelings prompted the utter
ance from the lips. If prayers can avail,
Father in Heaven, bless the dead-glorfy
them Make them happy forever
Returning from my visit to the grave
yards, 1 met an aged man, whom had
known in other days. The lapse of time
had not obliterated his recollection of my
features. How cordially we grasped each
others hauds! "Let u.s." said 1, "cross
over to the Spring Garden" "Ah sir,
said he, "rhere is no such garden now"
We leaned over the fence OF market gar
demand looked at what used to be the
Spring Garden Theatre its ball al
ley-its shuttle boards--its bower over one
OF the finest springs [ ever saw-were all
gone-I believe the spring is there, yet-but
| would not look at it or drink it's waters
AS we sauntered down the lane " talked of
the 'eccentricities" OF our younger days
Josey Wiliams-shametu called Goat by
the boys-Robn Vaughn sixteen miles to
Occoquan, twenty-iour to DumfIies, and so
on, giving the whole route to Hobbies Hoie)
Billy Golngs, Pompey Gales, and many 9TH
ers. He told me that there were but few
left now who recollected any Of them.
suppose there are not an hnndred of
your people, who know any ibing about
Broomliaw and Peter -BlIy's Garden. And,
yet in my time, they were famous places
The first was the scene Of barJeeues and pic
nics-the latter Of evening walks, and gay
but innocent assent lages YOU had not
then, to make "Steam Boat Excursions" to
find IA place to be happy in, and enjoy your
self. Ii was within aoalking distance, in.
sight Of the smoke from your own chimnies.
Nor was there danger, then, of row." Or
"a fight" A man who made disturbance
ar a social gathering of ladies and gentle
men, then, would, X X
But am growing garrulous. will close
the sheec now-and, 1t may he, again at
another time, resume my "reminiscences of
Alexandria.
A private letter to a mercantile house Of
San Francisco, dated Hong Kong, August
llth, contains the folIowing: "A privateer
was fitting out at Shanghai, at the last dates.
A Capt Allen, who took the steamer Sur
prise to Shanghai, Caps. Lynch, formerly
steamer captain on the China coast, Mr..
Ward, who has held a coloneIcy in the
Chinese Imperial ranks, and Mr.. Clery, Uni-
ted States storekeeper at Shanghai, are en-
gagged III the expedition II is said that the
schooner has been equipped from the U. S.
naval stores. l think there was only coal
thereon"
The correct test, upon hearing "sensa-
ton story about skirniishes, fights, &c,
circulated on the streets, upon reliable au-
thority," is, first, to ask the authority. Ii
"they say" can only be produced, the tale is
generally without foundation. If A. told
and b. told G., it is usually Incorrect
H.. e..