The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-25
Manuscripts Of an Old Bacheler.-No Is.
"REMINISCENCES Of ALEXANDRIA. -

even 10 all SGIauSeIS VI oyouin0.o ""o
could appreciate and enjoy the true "home
feeling" which was at the bottom of the pc
81 culiarity, if may so call it, was itsprocis-
ciazism-its segregation from the fashiona-
r BILE follies of other CHESTS comparative
isolation--its sui gensris character and ha-
bits, giving distinctive tone and marked
features to the manners, customs, and, some
2 said, even to the appearance of the inhabi-
tants. This arose from several causes, some
Of which, tit is acknowledged. were not ia
vorable to mere business interests-and
which may have had an untoward influence
upon the accumulation rof fortunes, or the
d increase of the value of real estate! Among
these, may be mentioned the temporary sep
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS in many respects and
which came at last, to be SO admitted by all
the parties concerned-of the town from its
parent state-and its location near a grow
ing capital with which it had, in truth, no
community of interest, no associations of
previous social or political intercourse. and
no desire to be connected. Happy was the
day when Alexandria was restored to the
fond embrace of its ancient Mother, from
whom its affection and love were never alien
ated! 6a
s. believe, in the opinion of the noisy, ra-
pid, fast, so-called "eaders Of the ton,"
and tails to the kite of what is rather face
tiously termed in these modern days. a
Fifth Avenue Cod-6sh-Aristocracy, the
thing is to be cosmopozitan-some English-
some New England-some Southern-and
a good deal Faenchy Nothing of this was
known or. recognized here Alexandria,
was Virginian all over tossilifed from the
year 1900 The vulgarians, had the term
been known then, would have it called it,
in their miserable slang-"an old fogy
town"-by which people Of sense would
have readily understood a respectable, quiet
town, with a respectable, orderly population,
mainly intent upon attending to their own
concerns 10 their own way, and not ambit-
Gus Of representing suburb either of New
York, Boston, Philadelphia, or Washington.
The fashions" for the ladies', to be sure,
came on, in regular succession and in due
time, from the milliners and dress makers
in the large cities; and, were, in due time,
adopted. This was fate TO which our
mothers, wives, sisters, and daughters had
t, submit, not--amiable geston-from
their own choice, but because they were not
willing to appear otherwise than most beau
tiful in the eyes of those whom they loved
q best, and cared most to please. They knew,
i, that whatever men might sag, they were al
ways expected to be dressed in the mode
g and it was to crafty others not themselves
that they submitted to the tyranny Of fash
ion."* But beyond this, there was no fol
lowing the lead which ignorance or folly
might start elsewhere. We had our own
kind Of social society--of dinner PARTIES
evening parties-dancing parties. We had
our own times and seasons for employment
and leisure--our own serious pursuits--and
our own pleasant recreation 8. There was
no 'apeing Of high life," in other places
and, 10 truth, no desire to introduce new
iuouAC1 bCSouoO eeoJ tAO'~ACu ~ OlhCi
cities.
The effect Of this may be easily conceived
Without producing actual quaintness, it
made society mogeneous-and gave it a
tone and coloring, which home-bred people,
with home-principles- home-predelic-
tions, loved to contemplate, and could high
~ relish. In word, there was more of
heart than art--and not dependence upon
the mere accessories and superfuties OF
life, to make life. itself agreeable. Now a.
DAYS, to be at all even comfortable, it is con-
sdered necessary to live in a large house"
If not "a Eve story brown front" at
least three story brick one! In the times
of which I write, the wealthiest men we had,
did not DisA FIR any other than "a frame
duelling-and when their means permitted,
and the wants of their families required
IAN enlargement of their borders" and
: they substituted brick for wood, the style of
their residences still Continued modest a d
unpretcnding-for rho most part; or if they
chose to ornament them it was rather 10
their gardens and grounds, than in the size