The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-11
Manuscripts Of An Old Bachelsr.--No Is.
"REMINISCENCES OF ALEXANDRIA.
H@c studia adolesceHta Aunt, &c.-ClcERo
These studies improve youth, DO.

Heo studia sdolesceat tam alunt, &c.-ClcERo.
These studies improve youth, d.
There is no better eyidenoeso the sound
and healthy condition Of society and of the
taste Enlightenment ofSa community-than
the attention that is paid bysit to education,
literature, and the culture Of tho fine arts.
Wherever you see colleges, academies, and
schools Observation-Disclosures collected--and
science and belle lettres pursued with plea
sure-thers, you may be sure, not only the
graces but the virtues of life, most abound.
ITO have good book in ones house, is bet.
ter than to have joint Of meat" is an TIA
liam saying, Of wise philosophy; and when
you find that theoretical philosophy carried
ont into practice, in SO far that the intellec'
tual vents of our minds are as much cared
for as the material wants of our nature, be
assured that happiness, contentment, and
harmony will prevail. The old Roman poet
!. long ago said, what is now 60 often quoted,
that it may be called classic proverb-and
proverbs are the wisdom Of antiquity sane
toned and confirmed by experience-''in-
genuas didicisss fdelitur artes, emollit mores,
nee sinit esse feros." This is as truc at this
day, as it was when the words were first
written. s.g 5
TWAS the boast of Alexandrians, in the
days Of old Alexandria, and in tho times Of
which write, that no community excelled
theirs, in the qualities just alluded to, and
which will be the theme of this short manu-
script. Our boys and young men, then,
were brought up" to appreciate the value
Of, and to take delight in, useful knowledge
and literature. While they early learned
in tho words of Cicero, which have adop-
ted as the motto for this paper, that these
studies, "adolescentiam AUNT they were
taught to believe, and act upon the belief,
that, likewise, 'senectutem oblectant. Sc
cudas res ornsut, adversis solstium ct psrfu-
GUM prebent; delectant domi, non impe-
diunt foris; pernoctans nobisoum, peregri-
nantur, rusticantur."* With this apprecia-
ton. the results to be expected, followed, of
course.
The Alexandria Library, one of the oldest
institutions of the town, was in full vigor in
my boyhood-and was most literally pa
tronised. Its managers were always amongst
tho best and oldest Of our citisens-and
they were attentive to their duties, and omit
ted nothing that they could do. for its bene'
fit and in its behalf. There was Circulat-
ing Library, kept by Mr.. K, respectable
and worthy bookseller, and afterwards by
his daughters, and Mr.. G.-and from this
source, the reading public could obtain ell
the new novels and light works which made
their appearance. When one Of SCOTS
novels was reprinted, and received here, the
rush was great, and applicants had to be
booked, week or two in advance, in order
to obtain an early perusal of the coveted ro-
nance. This Circulating Library, supply
ingas l have said, the light works Of the
day--and there were not a then a. many
trashy. paper covered, books of that stamp,
e. there are now, by half-left the AlexaD-
-dria Library to its, legitimate task Of col
Letting standard worksin history, biography,
science, poetry, &C.. &C.. And, in course of
time, . most valuable collection was formed,
Thy donation first, and afterwards by regu-
lar purchases, as the institution could spare
the. funds,) comprising in many einstapces
fine editions--often printed and ,bouod in
England land selected with Judgment. OF
the librarians lean remember W. g. c., g.
D., s. Mall polite. attentive-and what
was encouraging to us, kind to- boys who
loved to read and visited the library for that
purpose, They would search the shelves for
The books We wanted-look over the cata-
.loxue to find what We Inquired for, and ask
ds;; how. we liked what we read, and what
ske thought Of the work over which we were
10 often absorbed. Every Saturday, yop
could find a half dozen or more studious
youths: waiting about the Library door, I'M
sil.i was opened-and then, when the hour
Of admission arrived, quickly taking their
seats, with book inland, and spending the
morning, delightfully."- and probably to
themselves. In all the families Of subscri-
bers to the Library, books from it's shelves,