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

New EAR S DAY.--lhe government omceS
banks, &C., have been closed to-day, aud buSl
ness to some extent suspended. Some Of oul
citizens kept ''of6ce hours" and there was
some calling. The congratulations Of friends
and the interchange of pleasant hopes was free
ly INDUCED 10 and many happy pledges were
made over the flowing bow" There were fc"
''grim visages," aud all seemed, d least, to
hope for Happy New Year.
The 'sOLD SrU DENTS" REUNION. A large
number of the former students of ST. John 5
Academy, met at that institution last night,
and proceeded in body to the City Hotel, IL
accordance with previous arrangements, to cele.
brate the fortieth anniversary OF their alma
mater, which occurred in September last, at a
time not convenient for a reunion.
The Supper room was thrown open at nlne
o'clock precisely, aud about sixty gentlemen,
iucludiug two or three Invited guests, seated
themselves at the tables which were handsome
" arranged, and spread with all the dellcacles
Of the season. 5. Chapman Neae, esq, oc-
cupied the chair supported by Messrs. Rich
arI L. Carne and John I. Hill, the two oldest
students 10 attendance. When ample justice
had been done to the handsome entertainment
provided, the chair called to order and propos-
ed as the first toast, Odd ST. Johns, GIVE
her of the fruit of her works and let her chill
dren praise her in the gates. which was elo-
ouently responded to by Mr. Earoest }. Simp-
son, who proposed 1.-The health aud long life
Of the houured principal Of ST. J"hu'S. Richard
|, (,arrc," TO which Mr. g. made appro
nr;ate reply. giving as his toast ''fhe President
of The Society of Old Students, Aexaudrla's
late worthy representative 10 the General AS
sembly, 5. Chapman Neale." MIR. Neale made
u very happy though brief response, conclud-
Ing with toast to The K. F.'s and |. y. 5.
o. Ds; while their mysteries cannot be reveal
ed, their benefits eau be alluded to. This
called up MIR. Charles Il. Stuar, jr., who made
avery witty and telling speech, III which he
rxtoIed the I. 0. S. .. DIS, which he said
Meant Independent Order of Sons the Devil,
aud Deprecated the Regular Fools" which he
supposed 10 be the mystic cognonen OF the
rival society. His remarks caused much ner-
rlrncnt among those who had participated III
the fun of the session during which those So
cieues existed. His toast, The Ladies'
CALI, up Mr.. Thomas A. Broadus who
made a very eloquent reply. The Psesi-
dent then gave Virginia" which brought
to his fest J. Mortimer kgour, esq,
Of the Loudoun Enterprise, who de-
lvered u brilliant impromptu speech, III
which be exhurted the young men pres
cut TO see to it that Virginia resumed
her place as the acknowledged queen OF the
American Republic Mr.. Broadus then gave
Our honored dead; the heritage Of noble OK
ample is the best earnest OF uobler achieve
meuts. to which Mr.. john l. Hill made
brief, but feeling response, giving as his toast,
The Press, " in reply to which MIR. VIM. +.
Carne, Of the Washington Republican, made
spirited reply, introducing as appropriate The
iue description of Rumor trom the Eneld, with
Il very free and personal translation. He gave
Our Pergriating Friend, after travelling
the world over, he owus that there Is no place
like Alexandra. y Mr. Geo. NJ German re-
piled by giving his experience at the Chicago
fire and elsewhere His toast was Our Invit-
ed Guests" which was responded to by Edgar
Snowden, jr, who gave ''The New Year, may
The end 6nd you all once more together-not
one missing" which was handsomely replied to
by MIR. Richard j. Collins Lastly, Mr. Henry
J. Nevet, whose toast Our noble boys who
left the school roum to don the grey, and fell
with their faces TO the enemy, brought up MIR.
Arthur e.. Kel, Lieutenant commanding IN
the 18th Virginia, who made q beautiful re-
spouse.
The following letter was received from Prof.
Hugh G. Mclaughlin, one of the teachers of
the school upon its organization: ...
Rock HILL COLLEGE, ELL,coTT CRY, MD,
December 23d, 1873.
Mr. H. j. Neuett, Secretary &c:
Dear Sir: In reply TO your kind favor OF the
10Th instant, | beg to say that it would afford me
sincere pleasure TO be present at your reunion
OIL the 3lst instant, if my duties here permitted
my absence. l regret this the more AS l shall
be deprived tho pleasure of greeting. those who
how represent with such acknowledged and
wide spread success, an Institution with whose
foundation, in 1888, had the honor to be asso-
clated. Truly, 81. G.. MCLAUGHL1N
Dir. Joseph Il. Dunn was then called upon
tor an account of his recent residence 10 Costa
Rlca, which he gave briefly.
At eleven o'clock the party separated all
present having enjoyed themselves highly. The
reunion was decided success. and on every
hand it was declared that the closing hours Of
each succeeding year should be speut 10 a sim
liar manner.
The thanks of the company were warmly ex
pressed to Benjamin Fl. Lambert, esq, Char.
ma" : the CoMmirteoon Supper, 'or his ad.
durable arrangements; to MeSsrs. Gar and
Barrett OF the hutel, and Mr.. r. H. Rust
caterer for the handsome entertainment they
provided upon short notice, aud to the Presi-
dent for the grace and dignity with which he
presided on the occasion
FIREs-THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. During
the year 1872, there were sixteen fires in this
city. Last year there We're but FIVE that re-
CURED the service OF the Department Que 10
February, two 10 March, one in May, aud the
last on the 18Th of August. The standng re-
ward of $500 by the city and $500 by the iu-
surance companies for the apprehension aud
conviction of iucendiaries, doubtless has had
sanitary effect, and prevented the application
OF the torch. The Fire Department of this
city Is as efficient as any in the country; is
managed with the greatest economy, and is
welded with a skill that reflects the highest
credit upon all connected with it.