The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-12-29
LETTER FROM A WHEELING
Roy.
Sight Seeing In Philadelphia.
Visit 10 independence Hall and
Girard College.
PHILADELPHIA, December -, 70.
tr,rt from, ,Nvbo,IIr, bo,i. Latter IN nj, father

was in the old State House yesterday,
and saw quite a number OF relics OF the
old COntinentals, besides the pictures OF
most Of them. \ chair used by Wash
ington and a number OF other domestic
utensils that belonged to him are there,
and, amongother relics OF old furniture,
are the table and furniture used by the
presiding officer OF the first Congress,
several chairs used by the first Chief
Justice OF the United States, some OF the
chairs used by the members OF the first
Congress, and two or three chairs that
belonged to William Penn. A section OF
beam from the nag.OE-truce ship "Alin.
den, " on board OF which Francis L, Key
composed the "Star Spangled Banner" is
to be seen there; also cannon ball that
was cut ont of the side OF an English yes
sci over which Commodore Perry tri-
umphed in a naval engagement; the drum
that beat the company from Woodbury.
to Bunker Hill is also there; 1t is rather
arusty looking instrument, though both
heads are still preserved. Among other
things that are attractive are three or
four manikins dressed in the Continental
uniform. The old bell that was rung
until it was cracked at the time the in
dependence of the United States was de-
clared is in corner OF the yestibule at
the rear entrance OF the building, sup
ported by heavy wooden framework.
On one OF the cross pieces OF this frame
work Is the following; "And ye shall!
hallow the fiitieth year, and proclaim
liberty throughout all the land unto all
the inhabitants thereof; it shall be ju-
bilcc unto you'-which Is part OF the
10th verse OF the 18th chapter OF Levitt
Gus. Among the portraits which this
building contains, and one which | least
expected to see, is that Of Thomas Paine;
that Of the composer Of the "Star Spangled
Banner is also there. Implements OF
war, such as swords, old horse pistols
and pOwder.horns, on one oil which the
owner had cut his name (Which have
iorgottcn) and the date 176S in Roman
capitals, and other curiosities almost too
numerous to mention, are to be seen
there.
VISIT To GIRARD COLLEGE.
had the pleasure short time since Of
visiting Girard College, To get there
went up Thirty.ifth street past the
Geological Garden, on the west side OF
the Schuylkill river, to Girard avenue
bridge, over which | crossed, and went
out this avenue to the college. But first
Think description Of this bridge may
be interesting. 1t Is built Of iron, the
structure Of which Is beneath, and sup
ported by four piers and two abutments.
1t is sixty feet wide, and has room
enough for five or six street.car tracks,
only two OF which, however, cross It. The
sidewalks are ten or twelve feet wide, and
are paved with slate, or kind OF stone
that very much resembles II; along both
the railing and inner margins OF them,
and at short intervals, are gas lamps
having two or three jets, each OF which Is
surrounded with a large glass globe.
When Illuminated at night 1t presents n
very elegant appearance. After going out
this avenue some distance, came to
large stone wall, which enCloses an area
Of about thirty acres, and after walking
around this some distance ! came to The
gate. On each side Of this stands small
building, one OF which had to enter in
order to get into the College grounds.
Stephen Girard, in his will, made re.
quest that no minister Of the Gospel be
permitted to enter this College, and be-
Ing asked II was one, and replying in
the negative, was permitted to enter, after
having registered my name. On getting
inside Of this wall, | beheld standing in
about the center Of these grounds an i'm.
mensc marble building resting on n high
foundation, supported on ali sides by
massive pillars with Corinthian capitals,
and surrounded with steps which lead up
to these pillars and yestibule between
them and the wall, by means of which you
can walk around the entire building. |
walked up and went in the front entrance.
Standing in the yestibule, facing it, Is the
statue Oi Stephen Girard, supported on
low pedestal. Immediately behind It, and
against the wall, is the sarcophagus Of
Girnrd and his wife, resting on high
marble platform. Idon't think ! ever saw
more beautiful or perfect marble statue
in my life. At each end of this hall Is n
vestibulc, in each Of which Is beautiful
marble stairway. The acoustic proper
ties Of this hall are wonderful, the sound
Of your voice appearing to undergo II con-
tinual rcverberation from one wall to
another and fairly making them ring. |
went up one of these stalways into Il room
in the second story, where quite a mum
Der Of relics Of Stephen Gifard's estate
arc kept. Among them Is an old.fush.
Toned rig, once used by him; also articles
Of furniture, pictures, quite number Of
wooden boxes, each containing different
ships papers, with It's name and date on
the outside, a model Of the College, and
other things too numerous TO mention,
In a corresponding room adjoining this
are collections Of animals, birds, miner
ais, &C., for the use Of the school. Among
don't think Is very often seen in such
places, and that Is q skunk. After seeing
the different if specimens in inns room !
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