The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-08-25

oN"i 1uc u'ai ~ VI dAE aHu are IN IeaFtul
necd OF the paint br,ish) on the whole pre-
| sents very pleasing appearance. "a.
The whole city aud neighborhood abound
| with "reminiscences Of Washington, who was
a pcw-ho!der in Christ church and n
member of Washington Lodge, No. %, of
| Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons. and
who was frequently in the city on business
| or social visits. :
One ofthe old inhabitants will, enterta;,
you by the hour with anecdotes Of the great
men of the Republic who were wont 10 nav
frequent visits to Alexandria. He will he
sure to tell of howa young man here once
pulled the nose Of Andrew jackson for Some
tancied grievance ; and he WILL with even
greater certainty, recall the fact that Robert
r.. Lee spent large part of his boyhood
mere. relate Incidents of bis early life. and
tell OF how attached the peopIe were TO the
youth who was SO attentive TO the every
want Of his mother, and the noble Christian
gentleman who went forth from their midst
to win impcrishable fame in defending the
iaud OF his birth. the State of his love.
have heard two anecdotes worth presery-
ing:
W hen Colonel Washington was stationed
IN Alexandria in 1874 he had an animated
political discussion with Mr. w. Payne, in
which ne said something so offensive to that
gentleman that he resented it with blow
that fellcd Washington to the ground. His
| regiment hearing that their beloved Colonel
had been attacked by mob OF citizens
started from their barracks, with arms in
their hands, determined to have revenge.
Washington met them, cooled their anger.
and persuaded them to return to their quar-
tiers. The next day he sent for Mr.. Payne
to meet him ut the hotel, and he came fully
expecting duel. when, to his surprise, he
found wine and glasses instead of pistols
as Washington rose to meet him with
pleasant smile, and said in offering his hand;
" MIR. Payne, to err is nature; to rcctify
error is glory. believe | was wrong yes
tcrday. You have already had some satisfac-
ton. and If you deem that sufficient, here is
my hand-let lis be friends" And from
hencclorth they were firm friends.
Upon one occasion gentleman had in
cured General Lees diSpleasure, and after
expressing his feelings to friend in very
emphatic terms the old hero said: Now,
sir. will read you what have written to
this man." and proceeded to read letter
| which man Of proper ScnSibiities would
kcenly feel. but which the gentleman knew
would be utterly lost on the one for whom
it was Intended. Accordingly he said:
"Nhr. General. he will moi appreciate that.
He will take it rs rather al approval of his
course" With Il very perplcXed look Cen
cral Lee replied: "N"ll. | am sorry, but |
really cannot hclpit. # a gentleman can
not understand the language Of gentleman
he muSt remain an ignorance, for a gentleman
cannot SPEAK any other 1rdy.'
II the "young bloodS" of the country
only had the true courage of these too noble
men we should hear less of the So.c;lIed
code of Honor" as there would be on
the one hand fewer insults given and on the
other Il greater readiness to make honorable
apologies.
General Lee. too, was a member of Christ
church, where he was "conhrmed,' and
since his death they have erected there
mural tablet to his memory.
Alexandria is Il great fish, oyster, and
vegetable market, and from the veSsel.oads
| of melons one sees at the wharves or piled
along the streets we infer that watermclons
and cantelopes flourish in these regions.
| Apples, peaches, pears. grapes. &C., are
abundant and very fine and, indeed, walk
| through the market showed Il great variety
and abundance of almost every luxury for
| the table that you could think of or desire.
Certainly we have rarely Jared so we'll not
even at Il Baptist association.
There is now very large amount of ship
ping in the harhor, the vessels seeming to be
loaded chiefly with coal brought by the Ca
| nal or the Loudoun and Hampshire railroad
The Washington City, Virginia, Mid
| land and Great Southern Railroad" (as the
| old Orange and Alexandria road is now
callcd) does not run across the Long bridge
now, but through newly-constructed tun.
mel to their wharves in AleXandria, where
they connect with steamer tor Washington.
RI the way, this road has greatly improved
in its road-bed, coaches, &c. 1t retains its
old officers, who have always been noted for
combined urbanily and iaithfulness i'll the
discharge of duty.
| But this will do for to-day. NIAToR.