Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-08-22
LOCAL NEWS.

TEACHERS INSTITUTE. body Of teach
ers assembled at the Washington school house
ats p. NJ, yesterday, pursuant to adjourn
ment, nearly the same persons being present as
in the morning, with the addition Of two more
teachers from Alexandria county, and one
from Fairfax. The City Superintendent after
waiting until all were seated, again introduced
Major Jed Hotchkiss. of Staunton, who pro-
reeded to give his views on the proper teach.
inc of Arithmetic, contending that decimal
fractions should always be taught with the first
four rules, and that pupils should be required
TO read large numbers at sight from left to
right. without the usual process Of first hume
rating from right to left, which he compared
TO spelling out the words in a book or news
paper after one could read. He also, deprecat-
ed too much haste in teaching numeration,
which, he said, was greatly neglected in most
primary schools. He concluded about p. H.,
All internission of ten minutes having been al
lowed during the progress Of the lecture and
was eomplimented by unanimous vote Of
thanks, expressed by rising on the motion of
the City Superintendent.
The arrangements for to-day were then stat
cd by the Superintendent, and the Institute adj
iourned until 10 a m:
This morning DIR. F.. A. Stabler delivered Il
very interesting lecture before the Institute on
the best means Of promoting the health OF
pupils and teachers, u synopsis OF which Will
appear tomorrow.
MAYORS OFFICE jane Simms, who had
escaped from the work house was sent back to
his old quarters.
Two young men, for fighting in front OF the
restaurant of Mr. Colmus on Royal street, were
nned and discharged.
Joe. Winston, colored for striking Sophoro-
MA Furglson. also coored, was fined and dis
charged.
William Smith, on complaint Of Mrs Groves,
for disorderly conduct, was dismissed as the
charge was not sustained.
NIGur REPORT Night cloudy and COOL
Two young men had Il fight about nine clock
on ROYAL street near the Market square which
attracted large crowd Three prisoners and
one lodger were at the station house.
EXAMINATIONS. We are requested BY the
Superintendent Of Schools to say that all per-
sons desiring to be examined as teachers must
attend at the Washington school house to-mor-
row at o clock, pHnctnaNy; as he will not ex-,
anime at any other time before the, opening OF
schools. having pressing business, both public
and private, to employ him. Due notice has
been given to all concerned, and if they are
deficient in plinctuality, they must give place
~ those who possess that virtue
DRouGuT. The drought still continues, and
all the late corn iu this section of the State, has,
in consequence been blighted. The truck farms
and gardens are also suffering for the want of
rain: souc OF the pumps in the city fail to re-
spoud to the working Of their handles, the
mill streams have dried up, and even nayiga-
ton on the Alexandria Canal has been inter
rupted by the low water Almost daily clouds
gather in the heavens and hopes OF refresh
lug showers are raised only to be disappointed.
Still TRAvELLING Mrs. Disnoud, who
rived at the Mansion House in this city Oh
,b,. 18th of last June, in Il destitute condition,
FROM New Orleans, and represented herself as
= relative. Of the Lee family, and narrative OF
whose adv, futures rs the widow OF al African
m;sS;nnnrv WIS published in the Gazette OF that
I,,e has been heard from in Racine. Miscon-
sin where she is telling the same old story over
again. .---. --
An UNSETTLED OUESrIoN.-ltm an unset
lied question whether tire party OF young men,
who, for some nights past have been singing on
the streets in different quarters OF the city, are
good musicians, or their hearers IN unappre'
ciatiye set of boars. Certain 1t IS, however,
that some of the latter threaten to call tor the
police provided, what they term, the "howllng
and yelling is continued.
WArERMgl oNs.-The Fredericksburg Her
aid wants some one who can invent Il way OF
telling ripe watermelon from Il green one
without plugging it or cutting it open. There
is general want ON that score man
who can do that, OF who can tell from the out
side of a melon, whether it is good or bad,
would make his fortune in one season.
INJUNCTION. motion to dissolve the IN
Junction restraining the Alexandria and Fred
srielshurg Railroad, from prosecuting their
work on the Washington and Alexandria Turn
pike, will be argued before Judge K. ii.
i,-ckerille, Of the County Court, at Fairfax
Cou,>t House, Tomorrow.
WATERMELON TREAT Mr. George Fogg,
Foreman o!c the Spinning Room of the Mount
Vernon Cotton Factory, gave a watermelon
treat last night to all the employees in that
room, at the store Of Hugh Fegan, on Oronoco
between Columbus and Alfred street.
YorSG MEN's CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION -
An adjourned meeting of this Society, will be
held in their room tonight at clock land the
;mcmbcrs are requested 10 be punctual IN their
attendance The question Of the proposed ex'
sursion will come up for discussion.
Look BEFORE YOU. LEAp.--Proceedings
were commenced in the Magistrate's Court OF