Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1875-01-09

bands Of soft brown hair and soft brown eyes
shaded a very lovely face; and Betty Wash
ingtop. the only sister Of the General who sur
vived childhood, aud who married Col. Field
ing Lewis a distinguished officer Of the Revo-
luton. This portrait represents regal !o'k-
inc woman in blue satin and lace, her stately
head poised on a superb neck and shoulders;
dark hair. twuei with pearls, rolled up from
noble brow. beneath Which the dark eyes
look out with a clear command that would
have been worthy Of her iilustrious brother on
the battlefield This lady was great grand
nothero the widow of Col. L. W. Washing
ton, who was, consequently, cousin to her
husband
After writing the above we received the fol-
lowing communication Ia exercising his pre-
rocative by drawing his pen through the com
planetary allusion Of the fair contributor to
himself, the Junior will escape the charge of
non-appreciation when it is observed that be
substituted stars for djyinely expressed
thoughts. Though liable to the imputatiOn
Of J.owing our own horn, we do not feel at
liberty to withhold what is said Of the others
of the numerous "O,l Family" whether or
nc! the picture be too highly colorel;
EDIroRs FREE Press:
The Musical Association is entitled to the
thanks of the community for the varied enter
/ taiuments il has afforded Us during the holidays,
/ beginning with the Matinee, with the Christ
mas tree full of its (ruitagc OF gifts that were
| bestowed by Santa Caus-hinSelf 10 a superb
costume Of velvet aud cruiue, aud seated in an
/ elegant Sleigh drawn by Reindeer >teed Mr..
/ Hawks has wonderful adaptabillty Of talent,
and SO Identifies himself with the part he
euucts it becomes a part Of himself He
/ showed MS the Elephant, and in the regular
| Meuagcrie aud Circus nomenclature ratified of
10 such perfection one would have supposed he
was to the manner bonn" Old aud Young
euiyc3 the Performance, aud It was especially
amusing 90 see doll babies aud rattles handed
down 10 ancient gentlemen and mature ma
irons. who eyed them as cuiJouSly as Darwin
or some other scientist would a new specimen
of natural history. Shakespeare says, and he
is held as high authority that we are all Of us
az timcs, more ur less dispose! to be pleased
with ratlle. AMI ticklcG with straw"
Mr.. EpscomL's reading was expressive and
charming: his rendition Of the little Christmas
poem very tender aud true in its appeal to
feelings that called forth alternately smiles aud
tears. He Is a fine reader, aud has fine face,
that makes his talent more effective The
D." Blue and the Gray read by him on Tues
day evening. waS-we can only say IL was
. 4 q ii, rl -
all hearts.
As Mrs farley" Mr. Hawks has become
a patent success too well recognized 10 need
further notice, and the WAX works were well
enacted aud described Little Nell, Mary
Duke - sweet, bright child, performed her
part with am earnest simplicity that was very
graceful aud attractive; while the pranks Of
Peter. Ned Ga!llhcrl with waichmans rat
tie. frucl an cXcc,IeDt offset tu the tom en-
semitic one ol the best groups was the Rob
Der Shannon Gallahcrl aud lis Victim Miss
jennie kearsley, who looked very graceful and
pretty with her fair caSpcd hands, and hue
hair falling over her figure.
Ye OHc FolkcS Concerto capped the eli
max Of success and attracted iull house -
We observed many &C the rcil old folks did
come out in honor of the occasion. TIE stage
tab'cauX was admirably arranged, the ladies
an looking wel.-thoir antique dress being
unc1mmouly becoming 90 blondes ard bru-
uettcs The make mp Of the gentlemen
was equally gooi,-the irrcpressible Mr..
Hawks In q sort Of centennial costume, looked
So well in a powdered pcruko that if he was
not married. VIC DO not know what might have
happened to some of the ladies' hearts; and
Mr. Davenport was, also admirable. The
luett, Home Again was exquisite. Miss
Glllahcr looked very haudsome-ouly more
ike Queen Eliz ,beth than matrouly Martha
Washington, her peculiarly rich aud power
ful alto voice harmouizpg admirably with her
brother Shanuou's splendid basSo. Why does
ne not let MS hear it more AID oftener the
low. deep notes in Old Black J c reminded of
Carl Formes IN the Waudcrpr" cold RoS-
SUM the Beau" was excellent Mr.. w. W. B.
Gtlahcr's violin accompaniment, with t. e
piano. being sugularly sweet and elective
And in abiding 20 the Junior E!itor Of the
FREE pass we observed
Miss Rilcuour, the lovely blind girl, we can
not commend too biehly Her sweet singing Of
" Coming through The Rye sounded as we
never heard it before except from Adelina
Patti and Clara Louise Kellogg. Ovcrwhelm-
ing applause expressed the appreciation Of the
audience as size received an almost uproaroUs
encore
The muscular music Of the Anvil Chorus
took immensely. nearly setting the bows wild {;
and we hope Mrs. Rlns1n will make that
q" Last Rose Of Summer last a long time and
not let it die on the stem 50 long as il de-
lights ms % listen to the sweet strains Of her
beautiful voice The Cat and Dog Duet