Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-08-31

" AR DEPARTMENT. = tdShiHYfOH. H. t.,
August 81, 1871. | Il. m.-Thc barometer con-
tinucS low on the California coast, but has
risen very generally since Tuesday night east
of the Mississippi, except in New England
The area Of lowest pressure, after extending
northcastward into Canada, has stretched
southwark to Maine Southwesterly winds
have continued to prevail from New York to
Michigan. and southwardS. and westerly winds
on the upper lakes
Dangerous winds have been reported only in
restricted regions on Lakes Erie and Ontario.
Clear and pleasant weather prevailed on We'd
nesday from the Ohio valley northwestward,
and in the Gulf and Southern States clearing
weather. with occasional light rains, is now re-
ported from New York and New England,
with Il severe northwesterly gale on the sum-
nit of Mount Washington.
Probabilities. Clear and pleasant weather is
probable for Thursday on the lakes and south
ward to the gulf, with light or fresh winds
from the southwest and northwest. The
threatening weather in New York and New
England will probably clear away by the after
noon, with increasing northwestery winds
Southern LANDS. During the war, (Feb-
ruarv 1864. and while the Federal army was
occupying tract of land near Alexandra, Va,
the land was sold for non-payment of direct
tax by the Government, and Messrs. Reynolds
aud Sngerlanl, Of New \ ork city, became the
purchasers The tract was held and used by
the military several years thereafter, when 1t
was turned over to the purchasers. The firm
since then filed claim at the Internal Revenue
Bureau for rent Of the premises from the time
of purchase to the time they came into actual
possession, and Commissioner Doug lass decides
that they are entitled to six per ct. per annum
on the assessed value Of the lands rs a rental
for the time specified. and orders its payment.
This was the only claim Of the kind on file.
1t is Il fact worth noting. however, that OF
lands sold for direct taxes the Government now
owns in Virginia, South Carolina, Flcrida and
Tennessee, about million acres, the Airing
TON estate Just across the Potomac having
been acquired by the Government in this way;
Many persons in the States named above still
occupy such lands and refuse to relinqulsh pos
session Proceedings will be made against
these parties soon. and the lands will be taken
possession Ct by the |. S. Wash. fhr""'cle.
Moop Lawn. --The Mount Vernon estate
has been greatly subdivded a portion ofthe
arieinal tract was donated by President Wash
ineton to his niece. wife of Major Lewis. A
large brick mansion with imposing Wigs
but IF old fashioned construction. was erected
on dis place. aud here the General delighted
to spend :. large portion Of his leisure time.
But Tie owners of this beautiful place, which
WAS called Wood Lawn, now lie buried at Mt.
Vernon close 10 the vault in which the Father
Of his Country ard his beloved Martha now lie
cntom bed. Wood Lawn. after passing through
several hands. is now the property OF a New
IIamp>!irn gentleman. a Mr.. Mason Its sur
rounding4 ard associations have been remark
ably changed. Under It's first pruprlctorS, IT
VA. the scene Of much old fashioned state and
famous gaicty. The ancient families OF east
crn Virginia. long since decaycd. made It the
falving point Of their lcvees and assemblies,
in which the wine and the dance furnished the ell
emcnts Of good cheer. \ portion OF the man,
sion is now used as Baptist church. We had
the pleasure OF hearing Very excellent sermon
there one Sabbath from Rev. Mr.. AcIsou OF
Washington. - Washington Lhr0htcts.
The South AFRICAN DIAMOND FIELDS
The Salem Register publishes letters from Cape
Town. G.. e.. H.. which state that diamonds
ar: found Is tl,r hundred ever day. \ sta.
bic bCy had just returned from the field OF
operation with one ot - carats OF such per-
feet shape that it will lose little by cutting,
and is Of great purity. 1t IS valued at t2J: O!U.
One Of 81 carats has also been found, and a
Cape Town laborcr has returned with one OF
- carutS. 4 young American strong about
stumbled upon / stone worth 50, Uh'. Anoth-
err American found seventeen in one week.
They are sent down from the fields By hun
drcds every week. They are found over, an
i,h linz
every day. The bankers readily make large
advances OH thcm.
An .AiiMuEl. There is here III this city i
collection, the property Of :: private gentleman,
thai in many respects is among the most uni
,,llc and valuable in its specially to be found IN
the l'nitcd States and includes oh Gets of great
rarity. This is the museum Of firearms, belong
ING to Mr.. W. C. Dodge. ut the corner OF
Seventh and f.. streets northwest, which en-
braces nearly every form of firearm ever used
or invented since the old Arbast was abandon
c,l in warfare and the primitive matchbox
muskct took it, place. down to the very latest
improvements in rifles and revolving arms,
such as the Winchester repeater, Smith x
WcSsnn's improved rcvolvcrs the Chassepot
and needle gun, RrmingtOn's army rifle, and
others which have attained celebrity - |lnsh.
R,tT"L
GEORGETOWN COLLEGE, ID. C.-Several
changes in the faculty Of Georgetown College
are contemplated for the term which commence
cs on the 4th proxime. There will be no change
in the principal officers Of the collcgc-Rcv:
Father Early retaining the Presidency and
Rev. Father llcaly the Vice Prcsl dcncy. Rev.
Edmund Young. who was formerly Treasurer,
but who has been teaching i'll California for
five years past wiki return and resume the pro
fessorship Of rhetoric. while Rev. John Gulda,
who also formerly taught in the college, but
who has been teaching for some time, past IN
Baltimore, will be recalled to take charge OF
the classes in philosophy.
WASluXGroN ITEMs.-.Architcct Clark, OF
the CAPITOL Building. has under consideration
the propoSition to extend tho west front OF the
center Of the Capitol facing Washington, and
make it the main architectural front, instead OF
it being the back of the building IS it now Is.
The outlook from a hotel point of view IN
Washington Is not encouraging TINS season.