The Local news. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1861-1862, 1862-01-11

bic situation lin the old days, however, We
did not care 80 much for situation land
strenuous efforts made again to place it up
on its former footing of popularity and USE
fulness. ] hope that it may continue to be
preserved and enlarged-that norude grasp
may ever be placed upon its treasures--that
mo profane foot may everinvade the temple
of the muses., or unhallowed hands desc
crate its altars." To me, q Library, next to
. Church, is the most sacred Of places-nor
can any man who has experienced the con-
soling influences of communion with immor-
tai minds, feel any thing but disgust when
he sees ignorance, or vulgarity, disregard,
or misuse, or neglect, the labors Of those
minds left for our instruction, in the Books
which they composed. IS bi2d
The love of literature created in our midst,
by the example of our best citizens, the bon
orable distinction often conferred upon young
men of genius and learning, the excellence
of our seminaries Of learning, and the taste
for reading cultivated from early age. pro.
duced thu most gratifying results. Let any
one take the files of the Alexandria Gazette,
from about the year 1917 or 'lS down to the
year 1927 or ., and he will see some of the
fruits of the tree" in the number OF bril-
liant essays on politics, criticism, poetry,
and miscellaneous subjects, which, during
that time, occupied every week portion Of
its columns, contributed by the young mon
Of that day-just then taking their places
upon the stage of life assuming modestly,
gracefully, but with self possession, the toga
virilis. That was the arena in which they
mostly exercised their intellectual powers,
and prepared for the sterner realities Of tho
active duties before them. Some of these
essays would be applau.lei, if reprinted-at
this day. Learning, research. imsgioation,
wit, were often displayed-and the best mo-
dels of English composition followed with
no unequal steps," remember when
P. r. F.'s criticisms on Mr.. Adams, 4th
Of July GRAFTON, under the signature of
Servius Sulpitius were copied into the jour-
nails of Boston-when the successful imita-
hon OF Canto Of Lord Byronfs wAs thought
for a long time to have been the genuine pro-
auction of the noble bard-whes the laugh
letters of Nicholas Pedroza.
hair dresser" best specimens Of French
English that l ever saw-were read in the
White House at Washington, by those whom
they pleasantly satirized-when D. B. wrote
line verses-E. r. B. interes ing letters-W.
A. McC. strong political articles-and Dr..
B. and G.. B. A. threw in occasionally a
translation from the classics, ior . note on
some controverted point in history. These
we're only some of these young men whose
leisure time was occasionally passed 10 intel
lectual amusement or this kind Of mental
I could mention many others
some still alive-Others gone from earth,
and recollected but by few Of -us;old Alex
andrians who are yet left behind. Nor did
their seniors disdain, on proper occasions.
" to tilt in fair and pleasant combat, !" with
these younger champions in. the list. Not
will be found in the columns
70 which have referred, thegrave comments
If elderly gentlemen on the passing events
If the day, or On subjects affecting the gene.
ral welfare, written with ability. When .
divine illuminated his censures
against theatrical representations and the
lrama, and was chivalrously met, aud some
thought successfully answered, by ;" Philo-
he did not know for some time,
that his antagonist, who had won the plau-
Its Of the town, was q young and. briefess
awyer, who would converse with him on the
merits of the controversy, and never. men,
ion thathe was the man who was - oppcs-
ng him in print saig A.. y ~. aaAe
EfThers once existed here literary. or de- !
,ating ssapciation Of young men, called the
Periclean Society-the best Of it's kind, il
LII that relates to the material of which such
are. usually composed that Iihave
sver known. To it belonged many of those
who had literary taste aud talent for either
speaking or writing-and on the nights of
ts meetings there were assembledin the cid
Town Hail. as respectable, as talented-if