Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-10-03
COMMUNICATED.
The steamer Columbia.

y
encc for aquatic adventure, we decided upon
trip to Baltimore on the wcll-kuown steamer
Columbia. BY applying to the obliging and
courteous clerk, Mr. Samuel Tyler, jr., We
were soon domcsticatcd with bag aud baggage
in IL comfortable state-room, where, however
We cared not to resign ourselves to refreshing
slumber, until we had obtained thorough
Knowledge Of locality, equipment and manage
ment of this venerable steamer. Bashtul and
timid by nature, who will blame us when the
first objects sought after were "lte preservcrs,
and 10 they stared at us from every side: at
the foot of our berth 10 duplicates, III the Sa-
loon and on deck in profusion; with prepared
plank for the crew to escape on, and commcdl-
Gus patent life boats. The very chairs you sit
upon at table are lite preservers; they resemble
in shape the hour glass, aud are very convent
cnt to handle; and should, 10 case OF enlcrgen-
cy. anybody forget to snatch up one OF these
rte-saving machines he may safely cling round
Dick, Of Social Hall, the co)k, or stcwardess:,
who are all so fat and sleak -headed-the re-
suit O.: good nature and good liGing-thcy can
not sink. Paciied by the result OF our obser-
vaiOns We enjoyed undlsturbed rest until sum
moned to appear at the breakfast table, where
We had the pleasure OF making the acquaintance
of Capt Harper, commanding the Columbia,
whose very presence has something so conf
dcuce-inspiring, with look and manners so
frank and GENIAL that we were not surprised at
the warm greetings he received, moi oojy FROM
every passenger 90 board, but also from the
many people who came in hocks to the wharf,
at the different IaDdiugs to Hail (the) Coum-
bia" A middle aged lady who, with her chill
~ @ho.a LAM
told US that she had delayed three days allow
placing herself and family under the safe pro.
have known Capt Jamcs Harper ever since
was girl lie had commanded the Columbia
for over thiriy-:iirce years, and owing to his
watchfulness aud strict vigiauce. not the slight
est mishap has ever occurred. We all cherish
him like father. Aud then, Mr.. Tyler is so
thoughtful and uDtiriDg in hisattcntioD.' That,
We noticed ourselves. 1t must not be under
stood, however, that Mr.. Tyler's attention
is entirely devoted to the ladies; We are sure
he allows nobody TO be neglected, but is attcn-
tive and pleasant to ALL Another charming tea
ture OF cur voyage was the high-toncd society
we enjoyed such men as ". W. W. esq.
Col. NJ, Mr.. c., and Mr. B., of Wes;-
luoreland, contributed much to the entertain
mont Of our company, especially the first Damcd
gentleman, whose reputation for clOquence and
wit has long been established. At kiusalc some
Of the tirest specimens Of thoroughbred cattle
we ever saw, were shipped by Mr.. Is. who
pays special attention TO the raising Of stock
his stud can hardly be cxcelIed. An Aderuy
bull, valued at twelve hundred dollars, prefer
rcd jumping into the river instead Of on board,
but after lively chase, which was very anus
ing TO the passengers, was at last secured 10
give some idea Of the amount of trel ght taken
90 by the Columbia we need but slate that al
ter leaving P0iut Lookout we had on board Que
hundred and twenty hogshead of tobacco, be-
sides some 10000 bushels Of wheat and corn,
which shippers prefer to transport by the Co
lumbla on account of the careful handling mcr-
woudcr IS that Capt. Harper, who SupcriDtcnis
the loading and unloading at every landing, il
person, should, amid al this worry and excite
ment, maintain his unwaverlng courtesy and
equanlmlty. but the fact is that most OF the
officers and men Including among the former
Mr. Blccds1ale, the efficient eDgneer,) have
sailed with the captain these many years, and
every one being well drilled in the duties OF his
particular station, it is readily noticed, that the
discipline prevailing On this venerabl steamer
can only be compared to that OF Il regular man-
ot-war. Many places of historic interest are
passed; we uame in part Pincy Poiut. the
Cliffs Of Stratiord, aud Point Lookout, where
many a poor Confederate suffered imprison
mcut during the war TO say that the accom-.
modations are first class would hardly do ju,
ticc to the homc-likc feeling one experiences
everywhere, BE- it at the table. where the fare
Is sumptuous, or in the saloon, where kuighty
etiquette prevails and under such happy aus
plcc> it is no wonder that we rccuperated 50
rapidly, and many will be induced, We hope, to
avail themselves Of such an excellent oppor
tuuity for profitable, safe and Instructive enjoy
mcnt. For our part we shall long remember
our trip on the Columbia, and trust that her
noble commander, Capt Jas. Harper, with
his efficient complement Of officers, may long be
spared to p!ow the briny deep y.
KITE FLYING IN GERMANY. The steady
Germans, according to a special dispatch from
Berlin to London, have also been kite flying in
a financial sense, and are beg ginning to realize
the consequences. Fancy stocks and bank
shares are not salable, and some have fallen as
much as twenty per ct. There was some talk
Of government interference. Financial trouble
was expected This state Of things has been
anticipated by shrewd fnancierS for some time
past. Flushed with victory. emp're and money
obtained from France the Germans have rush
ed into speculations, and now the natural re-
action has set ill., We may console ourselves
that Americans are not the only people who
run wild with speculation and have to endure
panics as the consequence Y. UcraM.
Mr. THOMAS HOWARD, son of Thos G. ilo-
ward. the old clerk of the Huntiugs Court, and
brother of Mr.. Robert Howard of the law
firm Of Howard & Wise, and of Mr.. i. c.
Howard, clerk of the city, also Of Nathaniel
Pope Howard, esq, who was killed BY the
capital disaster, died iu GoochlaDd county on
Saturday, 10 the 69th year bis age. The de-
ceased was one OF the most emineut scholars oil
the day, and until about year ago lived 10
Texas, where be practced law with great sue
ess.-Pichmond Journal
An AGE-"J James Jenkins said a
national schooImaster to his pupil, what is an
average?' "a thing, sir, answered the
scholar promptly, that hens lay eggs upon
s.N nv do ,.ou CIV thut Won .illy bDv - asked |