Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-01-20
LOCAL NEWS.

dicuce, testified to the merit of the fifteen gen.
tlemen comprising the minstrel Troupe;" and
thc talents they exhibited reflected credit on
themselves, and would have done no discredit
TO many claiming to be professionals in "Ethio-
man Minstrelsy" The burlesques were acted
with mirth provoking energy. The ballads were
rendered in taste, and received several deserved
encores. The comic songs, Of course, we're re-
ceived with pleasure, and the Instrumental por-
ton was accounted fine. In the entertainment
some things were susceptible of improvement;
for instance 10 the rendition Of the touching
melody, "Old Black Joe, if a more trembling
MIGRATORY intonation was given, so as to more
closely asslmilate the feeble voice OF old age, the
effect would be BETTER and if the chorus was
modulated to resemble gentle voices at u dis
tauce, the entire thing would be rendered much
more impressive than when given 10 tortlssl-
mo manner. Owing to want OF space we are
unable to give mention OF all the participants,
and where all parts were so handsomely execut-
ed, it would seem, perhaps, invidlous to men
ton one, without naming all, but yet we are
constrained to say that MIR. Henry Simpson
"Parepa Rosa" was the browning piece OF the
programme. Whilst, of course 1t Waaa ourlesque'
vet in the rendition OF some very dlfncuit pieces
MIR, S. exhibited Acxibiity of voice and dis,
bc proud We are pleased to announce that
those under whose auspices the affair was ar
ranged have decided to have repetition upon
Wednesday, the 2Sth We would urge all who
can to attend, not only to spend an evening OF
pleasure, but to assist 10 the noble cause, Tor
which it will be given, viz: the amelloratlon
Of humanity's suferlugs.
RIVER News The ice blockade which
commenced last Friday was broken this morn
ing and even sailing vessels were arriving aud
departing freely day. The Washington ferry
boat City of Washington has made all her reg
ular trips to day, aud the City Of Alexandria
would have done likewise had she not been
taken off her line for the purpose OF having
piece of her machinery repaired. As 1t Is she
will not be able to resume her trips before the
first of next week The steamer Lady of the
Lake arrived here this morning to lay up for
repairs. but the wharf accommodations not be-
inv sufficient she returned to Washington and
will have the few necessary repairs to her, to
complete which will not require more than two
weeks, done there. The Maryland ferry was
reopened this morning by row boat, the low
tide prevailing and the ice on the opposite fats
making it still impossible for the steamer Vir-
giuia to run. Communication with the pier at
the western terminus OF the Fast hIeAauurid
Railroad, on the opposite side Of the river, was
also reopened this morning, and the laborers
employed in the construction of that pier, who
live in this city, were enabled to 90 to work
agaio by means Of row boats. Three oyster
boats arrived up yesterday afternoon and at
tempted to reach Washington in tow of the
tug boat Mary Lewis but met with such diff
Guilty off Gicsboro', where the ice was packed,
that they had to be towed back to this city;
They started again this morning and reached
their destination without any difficulty. The
stern wheel steamer Prince William started
down the river to day, and the tug Susan Mol.
ueaux went down to look for tow. The
steamer Palisade sailed this afternoon for Point
Lookout with stores for the railroad hands em-
pIoyed there. When she returns she will take
the place, temporarily, Of the Arrow, on the
Mount Vernon line.