National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-07-28
YOUNG CATHOLICS FRIEND Elk
OURSION.
WASHINGTON AND BALTIMORE CLAs

AND BALTIMORE CLASP
HANDS ACROSS THE CHESAPEAKE.
The annual excursion of the Young Catho-
lies Friend Society, of Washington, to Fortress
Monroe, sewalPs Point and Norfolk was q very
pleasant affair, and may be written down as in
0Very particular great success. About four
hundred persons, half Of whom were ladies,
participated in the enjoyments Of the occasion,
and It is safe to say that the pleasurable anti.
eipations Of the party were fully realized. A
more sociable or agreeable company could not
possibly have been assembled, and the conse-
Quence was that the thirty-siX hours of the
trip few by on rosy wings, with the exception
perhaps of q few hours during the first night,
when the "Modocs" were diminishing among
those who were unable to secure state-rooms,
and prevented a few from wooinz Natures
sweet restoreT, balmy sleep, on the mattresses
that were spread on the saloon floors Of the
Lady Of the Lake. Even they, however, were
compensated for this deprivation by the humor-
Gus incidents that excited their risible facul-
ties, and made the night pass pleasantly away.
The excursion party reached Fortress Mon
roe at 10:So on Sunday morning, and there met
the Young Catholics Friend Society of Balti-
more. (The latter had arrived in the Wenona
about an hour before, with an agreeable party,
about equal in number to the excursionists
from Washington Amer the interchange Of
civilities, the Washington party proceeded to
st. Mary's chapel, near the fort, where High
Mass was celebrated by Father Fortune, of St.
Dominic's church, who, with Fatler Barotti,
of St. Augustine's, accompanied the party in
the capacity of chaplain. A fine choir was
imprOFised for the occasion, consisting of Frank
soeyyn, John n. Mattingly, NJ. K. Echling, j.
Forsyth and Mr.. Yates and wife. St. MaTy's
is a neat little chapel, with pretty altar and
handsome stained-gl glass windows, adorned with
Catholic emblems. It is well attended by resi-
dents and visitors, and by soldiers from the
fort, many Of the latter being Irishmen and
Catholics. 1t being understood that the pastor
was about TO build a parochial residence, the
excursionists made handsome contribution In
aid Of the purpose.
At an earlier hour in the morning Mass was
celebrated by Father McMsnus, of Baltimore,
who accompanied the party from that city,
and after Father Fortunes Mass, another was
celebrated by Father Barotti.
The party remained at Old Point Comfort
long enough to take hurried glance through
the fort and at the interesting features sur
rounding it. The splendid Hygeia hotel was
an object Of much interest to the visitors. This
fine edifce, which looks out uponthe broad ex-
panse of waters, and is famed by perpetual
sea breeze, is favorite place of resort by citi-
zens of Washington, Baltimore, Richmond, Pc
tersburg, and other cities North and South.
Among the recent arrivals from Washington
Il a. u
Lawrence, Isaac Curry and daughter, W. H.
Harper, T. J. Luttrell, Geo. B. FIlebrum, and
w. j. Wilson.
One of the attractive sights at Old Point on
Sunday consisted of three ships-one Ameri-
can, another German and q third French
riding at anchor in the Roads and displaying
the flags Of their respective nationalities.
Leaving the Fort, the company proceeded,
via SewalPs point, to Norfolk. At the former
place few OF the party landed, in order to en-
Joy the luxury Of q bath, which they missed
by attending Mass at the Fort. Here, besides
the good dinner which was provided at the
hotel, the only noticeable feature was a foot
race for distance Of hundred yards, between
Mr.. Pagan, Of Washington, and Thomas Grif-
fin, of Fredericksburg, Va, which was won by
the former by twenty-five yards, the referees
being P. DUNN and James Reagan.
Reaching Norfolk, the Washington eXcur-
sionists visited their friends from Baltimore on
board the Wenona, many Of them rambling
through the most interesting sections Of that
venerable town, and others crossing over to
Portsmouth and Gosport to take birds eye
view of the navy yard, the marine hospital,
and other prominent objects. Lying in the
harbor were the receiving-shlp New Hamp-
shire and the sloop-of-war Powhatan. On
board the Wepona there were many mutual
expressions Of friendship and brotherly love be-
tween the Baltimore and Washington visitors
Mr.. Middleton represented the Baltimore soei-
ETY., and Mr.. Laekey the Washington organi-
cation. joint dinner at the Atlantic hotel,
in Norfolk, was to have been one Of the features
of this pleasant union Of the two societies, but
there was not time to carry out the intention.
Messrs. Glennan, Of Norfolk, and O'Connor, Of
Portsmouth, were most courteous In their at
tons TO the excursionists.
After passing two very agreeable hours IN
Norfolk and vicinity, the Wsnona and the Lady
of the Lake turned their prows homeYprd,
the latter touching at Sewall's Point and Fort
ress Monroe for those who had preferred to
stop at those points. The trip, both to and
fro, was full of pleasing incidents and uuinter-
Tupted enjoyment. On the return even the
"Modocs" sought repose, and in sweet slumber
was closed many an eye Eearied with sight
seeing. Mr.. George II. Plant, proprietor ofthe
boat; Mr.. a. G. Plant, general agent, and
Capt. Partridge, as we'll as all the other off,
GERS, were Rssiducus in their efforts TO make
the excursion what It really was, an occasion
Of pleasure long to be remembered. Although
the company was larger than had been anticl-
pated, the officers Of the steamer were equal TO
the emergency, and ample provision was made
for all. Sumptuous tables were set, and abun-
dant bedding was supplied; 90 that there was
no fault-hndlng, no grumbling, no discomfort,
except when crossing the Horseshoe" by
those Of bilious temperament who had par
taken too freely Of the Injuries spread BY order
of the hospitable Plant.
The excellent committee Of arrangements,
consisting Of James Lackey, John Bingham,
George K. Petty, J. J. Dermody, Arthur Nc
Dermott, Geo. Bogus, Charles Demonet, r. II.
Mitchell, P. Hickey and j. II. Bushnell, We'd
with the officers Of the boat in contributing to
the comfort and pleasure Of the party. Happy
themselves, because Of the great success Of the
excursion, they left nothing undone that could
contribute 70 the happiness Of their guests.
Early and late they were on the gus vigs, and
no want or requirement escaped their Vigilant
eyes. Although there was no formal vote OF
thanks, everybody thanked them from their
heart, and wished that the next excursion
might be under their direction. But the best
nf 1ha yvbn1a atnEu baa han raaarvnd for