The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-14
Manuscripts Of an Old Bachelsr.-No 8.
"REMINISCENCES OF ALEXANDRIA

HORACE.
Demitrius and Tigellius, know your place.
Go hence, and fret among the SCHOOL BOY race.
In my walks along the ST. eets during my
present visit to Alexandra, often pass by
the old school houses-and if | have with
me "Demetrius or Tigellus," or any one of
my school fellows of the oldeu time, we al
ways have talk about the friends of other
days, our former teachers, and the incidents
of our boyhood. The "reminiscences, are
only sad, because they bring home to us
forcibly the fact of our advancing years
and the reflection that we too must soon fol-
low those with whom we started in the Ca
reer of life, most of whom have already
passed away, and many been forgotten. In
all else, they are cheerful and pleasing.
A modern essayist has written an ingeni.
Gus paper to prove, that, as happiness is re-
lative and comparative, the common idea
that our childhood, is, in general, the most
agreeable portion of our existence, is erro-
neous. Every man must judge and speak
for himself; but, it is most unnatural to me
to tell of youth as laboring under cares, or
misfortunes, or distresses, or as being time
of sorrow or complaint. The brightest and
merriest hours OF my life have been those of
my school and college days; at least, it was
then could adopt the motto on the Italian
sun dial, and say, mon numero nisi horas
serenas"
I we'll remember that upon my return
home, after had been to college for year,
I went to see the old school house-and how
my eyes filled with tears as stood and
looked at it's dingy walks, it's battered door.
it's broken windows, and it's dilapidated
fence And that same feeling comes over
me now. Neither change of residence, nor
lapse of years, has obliterated single re-
collection that then crowded upon my memo
ry. The pictures are as vivid as ever-the
incidents as fresh as if they had but just oc-
Cured. l can call over the names of all
the boys-tell who was the best scholar
who the "crack" handy and marble player
who the strongestand most expert wrestler
who the quickest at foot ball-who the
swiftest runner-the most graceful ska err
and the most fearless swimmer. And as the
line is passed in review, oh! the gaps that
time has made oh the bright faces that are
missing and are no more upon earth!
The Alexandria Academy was in the
building at the corner Of Wolfe and Wash
ington streets. The teachers, in my time,
were Leary, Allison and Fifeld. TWAS de-
signed that the boys should enter with Mr..
F., and when they were advanced sufficient
ly in the English branches, they were to be
sent down to Mr.. l.. The classical depart
ment was under the direction Of Mr. L. The
latter was an excellent Latin scholar. The
Academy had Board of Trustees, who
were faithful in their attention-and the in
stitution was in Furnishing condition for
severa! years. The Mechanics Hall-own-
ed by the Mechanics Relief Society, one of
the best societies ever organized in Alexan-
dria, and which ought never to have been
cuuCICu w ~ uOWu IChtCO w NIL a.
G. Bonner, very enterprising teacher, who,
for four or five years, had, probably, the
largest school in town. He was rather &C.
centric in some of his ways, but had the
faculty of interesting his pupils in their ex-
ercises and was quite successful in his
method of teaching. Mr.. James Caden.
also, had large school, which he kept up,
until his removal to Washington. He was
considered a very good teacher. Joseph
Cowing, an elderly English gentleman, pre-
sided over large school at the Brooke
Lodge. l remember him as a TALL thin,
white haired man, reputed to be strict dis
iplinarian-and the terror of bad beys,
upon whom he, in accordance with the old
fashion, would use the strap freely. Mr..
Holbrook, Mr.. Waugh, Mr.. Wheat (now
distinguished Episcopal preacher) also
taught school here at different times-and
the latter, had more pupils under his in.
struction than any other preceptor in town,
whilst he lived here. There were other
schools, besides these l have mentioned
amongst which | must not fail to record that
of Mr.. Wilbar's, who was famous as writ.
ing master, he himself, though crippled in
one of his hands, using his pen with skill
and grace, and always anxious that his bows