The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-04

soon given up. AT another time the Corpo-
ration ordered the boring of an Artesian
we'll in the centre of the Market Square
not then numbered up, as it now is, with
sheds, but thickly planted with fine trees
which gave grateful shade TO the market
people, and were not in the way Of any
body. This boring continued for months
specimens of the clay brought up at different
depths were formerly to be seen in the Mu-
scum. But the patience and money of the
people gave out-no water was reached
the project was abandoned the deep
hole finally filled up.
At last, the scheme was started of the
Cameron Water Works--(this, long since
the time of which | am writing and when
had removed from my native house, land
carried into successful operation. Water
carts ''faded away" like ghosts at mornings
beams, before the full and plentiful streams
from Cameron as they flowed through the
streets, and gushed out from the hydrants,
and Alexandria is now as well aootered as
any town in the coun r., North or South
the water itself delicious, and, | am told
wholes me, and the Water Works and Re-
servoir most admirably constructed and we'll
preserved and the whole business conduc-
ted efficiently. When so of en- speak, with
regret of the chanyes which see around
me in our old town, do not let it, for one mo-
ment be supposed. tha5 cannot appreciate
and approve Of, beneficial changes.
The Spa Spring" north of the town, was
on Sc tavorite place of resort, and indeed
its water, slightly impregnated with iron,
was an excellent tonic, and those who used
it Tor that purpose. gave it commentator. /
remember that one Of our old citizens, Mr..
A. c.. made daily visit to the spring, and
attributed much IT bis usual good health to
the Spa. He took $ me pains in making a
rustic path to it, and others afterwards pla-
ced around it benches. Then the Corpora
ton, think, ordered the Spring to be wall
ed around and had pipe fixed from the
fountain to a small reserve but the water
was not impr we'd it was popul rly believed,
by the Improvement" Large numbers of
The ladies and gentlemen IF the place used,
every morning and evening; TO walk to the
Spring. and gay and happy parties have |
often met there. Frequently in the pleasant
''moonlight Nights of our Virginia summer,
have seen hundreds Of our young people,
under the eyes Of their parents, enjoying
the cool air, arouud this old Spring
and, no doubt, many of them, making
wards ripened to happy marriages. /
know Of more than one of our Alexandria
bellies who We're "wooed and won" at the
Old Spa Spring-and who yet on the ami
versary of their wedding days make pill
grimage to the spot, to think of "aull lang
syne." It. isa DEPRESSION, know--but par
don it! Who. when he thinks not only of the
ilustrious men who have made the old State
the "blessed mother of us all,"-famous
through the world by their deeds in the
council and in arms. but, when he remem-
bers 1.-The home of his youth"-and all the
pleasant, delightful, associations connected
with his birth place, his former friends,
his manhood when he thinks of the
dead that lie buried under the green turf,
and those who are yet to lie there, con.
nected to him by the dearest and tenderest
ties:-who, thinking of these things, that
has the heart of man, can fail to love the
very soil on which he treads, as his own, his
native soil-and to consider, and regard it,
and be proud Of it, as sacred soil!
The Stone Spring was a fine flow of water
from the clayey ground, near Yeaton's
marsh. and, at one time, had around it
small brick enclosure, rooted. The enclo.
sure is now gone, leaving mot wreck be-
hind''-nor do l know that the spring exists
yet. That pains were taken to preserve and
protect the spring, may be known from the
fact that the municipal authorities, on more
than one occasion, in1ic ed proper punish
ment upon persons convicted of washing in
it-concernng which there are records yet
exsant. Yet farther North, in the Valley,
now 80 altered that it's former features can
hardly be recognized, was, what was called