Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-11-11
ExcurS ion.

Core. pondcuce Of the Alexandria Gazette.
STAUNToN, Nov. 81 was at the Exchange
Hotel, in Richmond, when | last wrote you
and while mine host was ali that could be de-
sired, aud every creature comfort abouuded, |
must say that there was wanting an air of fresh
ness aud tidyness about the premises, which is
very readily accounted for from the fact of this
being the uost Improbable season for num-
Der of years. The city suffers from the want Of
more stringent sanitary regulations.
Unr party visited the Capitol and Hollywood
Cemetery, both justly the pride Of the city.
The latter has many natural beauties, but the
falling leaves indicative of wlntry weather, lay
scattered around, and the dust was intoierabe.
Though Sunday, we failed to see the churches
for lack of time, but 20 want OF spiritual III.
structon is felt here, as the uumber of
spires attest.
We arrived here at half past 3 a. M, and as
! it was night travel, had no opportunity to see
the country, but hear croakiug on account OF
the drought, yet think nothing suffers mate
rlaIly-the grass, perhaps, accepted; and the
heavy dewS compensate III a great measure foI
the lack OF rain
The lew hours of oight renlaiuing for us we
made good use of at the Virginia Holel, 10 re-
lleving tired nature, and this morning, refresh
cd, we are greeted with fine shower.
Just FROM the insane asylum, where our feel
ings have been narrowed by the sight of 10.
tirmity, to which poor human nature is heir,
yet thankful that christian feeling is SO broad
as to put it to practical test in its alienation.
At present, uudcr the charge of DR.. Baldwin,
its progress is insured, and all the improve.
meuts of this progressive aye avaled of. MIR.
Heushaw gave us every facility 10 examine
through its well kept departments aud Its Gull
nary arrangements.
Theuce to the Deaf, Dumb and Blind Iusti-
tute, where youth, beauty and intelligence 10
these poor afflicted ones met our gsz". Major
Breckenridge kindly showed US through the
institution, where science has done as much as
anything else to alleviate such woes. We felt
impressed at hearing little girl read with
great clearncss, information and expression, and
Il tull baud OF blind youths discourse some OF
the sweetest music; and Que sang with vim and
we examined, all attest TO what noble ends the
institution had been brought. | could have
fingered here longer, but the party, uow n-
creased by the addition OF others of the craft,
had to attend the dinner given at the hospi-
table mansion of one OF Its citizens.
We have everywhere been the recipients of
great Kindness FROM the ci,z.ns, aud regret to
leave SO soon for Covipgton, where We shall
stop.
Staunton is rapidly growing, and its streets
are being macadamlsed aud sidewalks paved
Que hundred and thlrty-eight houses have been
erected the past year, and it is live com
NUDITY, though yet unblessed with Board Of
Public Works.
Considerable rivalry exists at this point be-
tween the B. & 0. aud the Z. l. O. roads for
the western freight, intended for Baltimore. A
line of steamers ply between West Point, on
the York river, connecting with the Z. 4 0.
r. t., which Is competing, at low rates, for
this freight. Maj Hotchkiss is General Freight
Agent whose headquarters are at Stanton to
advance the interest of this line, aud more
popular and hard working man could not have
been selected for this work, and whose long ex-
pericucc fifty qualities him for the task. W.