The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1874-05-14
A Historic City.

Some one has said williamsburg Vir-
ginia, is our only city that has history "
Whatever criticism may be passed, it can
not be said to look plebeian or common.
place 1t is pleasant to gaze up and
down this mile-long street.-the old court
house fronting one end, the college OF
William and Mary the other. The white
faced clock on the Episcopal church con.
tinues to tick as it did one hundred and
forty years ago, and the edifce maintains
precisely the same appearance as when
elongated in 1880. Sir Christopher Wren,
of Saint Paul notoriety, sent over plans
for it and the college.
As Paris represents France, 10 did Viii
| liamsburg Virginia, while its capital. The
initiated, and the church and cemetery
were regarded as another st. Pauls and
Westminster.
The college occupies three sides of a
quadrangle, with walls 30 massive as to
have resisted three successive fires. The
first was by accident, the second by
French troops (for which Louis XVI
made ample reparation), the last by the
United States troops in 1862. There are
now thirty-five students and four profes-
sors; but in walking up the college yard,
under the old marble statue of Lord Bo-
tetourt, one cannot fail to remember the
great men who formerly trod these paths,
when the students numbered one hundred
and fifty such names as jefferson, Madi-
son, Monroe and Randolph. Among diff
ferent names and initials is clearly paint
ed by his own hand, "John Marshall -
Our attOrney-general
In 1619-twelve years after the James
town settlement-plans for college were
formed on site commanding delight
full view of the singular windings of the
James. 1t was at Dutch Gap, called Hen
rico, after the son of James First, who
died early. But the Indian massacre of
1922 almost destroyed the colony. 1t was
not until 1893 that charter was granted
by the king and queen, with lands and
money, and one penny on each pound OF
tobacco exported from Virginia and Mary
land. The presentation of the charter is
curiously represented on the college sea,
with prints of William and Mary, and
Commissary Blair receiving it on his
knees. He was president Of the college
fifty years, and inferred there. The first
object that strikes the eye on entering
the library is his bland, dignifed face,
with wig and gown, in the midst of other
interesting portraits. Here ia Sir Robert
Boyle, head of the Indian Institute, which
he endowed by will.
We notice that new interest is excited
to revive this venerable college; and Mr..
Hoar, of Massachusetts,, has lately urged
on Congress to sustain 1t as national in
stitution.
Mrs. Curtis kitchen is quite celebrity.
1t stands on what is called "The Six
Chimney lot"- for her house had six
chimneys. Here Washington courted
and wed the charming widow, who gave
such coloring to his life. The lot, with
the kitchen, now belongs to the insane
asylum here-an institution peculiar in
many appointments.
Though, for the last century, the pop
ulation of Williamsburg has never varied
from about !, 400, it will ever be memoir
able as the former capital Of Virginia,
and as serving for model for our own
national capital. Like this city, Wash
ington's principal avenue is one mile long,
of the same width as this - the White
House facing one end, the capitol the
other.