Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-10-17

COMMUNICATED
Vhe Alexandria Library.

The Alexandria Library.
We ind, wien reviewing the History Of the
world, that the most progressive and enlightened
nations arc those which have given prominence
to literature We of to-day can study The arts
end sciences that were occe tie pride of Greece;
but for the songs of Homer they would have
faded away add beea lost amid the dust of pass
iug ages The learning of Rome that lives 10
the past would have died had not Cicero given
us biz ORATORS Upon the desert wastes Of At
rica long befJre Homer sung, or Moses prayed,
there arose city that after years should know
IS the birth place of the arts, but Karnak 20
logger stands, for she had DO literature. Baby
lon has melted away like baseess dream. Its
rcnowo was altogether material; no poets, his
ttraus, musicians or artists sprung up amidst
It's crowded thrcngs. A single Burns or Baby
loniua Pndar might have saved it from COZ.
tempt: and but for the few cultivated Greeks
its mighty towers and its gigantlc walls would
have risen and sunk undistinguished upon the
Assgrian plains but for the warning cry OF
Hebrew prophecy, the name of Babylon would
never have become the symbol OF civic corrup-
tion, or It's fate the lesson ct all ages. Now
notice The difference in Greece. Thebes stroVe
to produce huge fabrics that would defy the
hand Of time, Athens to create shapes OF lowell
ness that earth should never forget. The giant
grandeur of Karsak was softcned into the
deathItss gtaces OF the Parthenon, and over
it all Greece threw the mantle of literature that
has preserved it 10 all its greatness and beauty
Literature is the connecting link that binds the
mast TO U.s. Then should We not nuture it, and
at its shrine bring fttlng tribute?
We were in the Library, at Alexandria, Va,
few evenings since, aud found lu that time:
houorcd institution macy valuable books, and
VIC thought, why is it that this Society does DOT
meet with more encouragement at the hands OF
the citz,ns Of Alexandra There are books
upon the shelves that would feed the mind for
years and still the dust is allowed to settle upon
them because Of the fact that the city of Alex.
andra, unlike its namesake Of Egypt, is not q
reading city. There are some though who 60
there evening after evening, and spend the tin C
in readGg aud playiog chess. The Librarian,
Mr.. Pen Btuio, is polite ADD gentIemanly
young uian. ADD everything is doue for the COM
tort and pleasure Of those attending Acxan
dra has it 10 her power to build up reputation
for love of literature. and If she uses the mears
here offered sho may be successful. The even
ings are getting long now, and nothing is better
than coed book and a good place to read.
Then young men, and old men, young ladies
ard-wclI ali who desire the Library TO be
success, c,mc and give 1t your patronage.
ALEXANDRIA, VA, Oot. 16, 1877.
TEsTIMoNIAL.--Oo "Wednesday, the 18th
inst, the Right Rev. James Gibbons, late
Bishop of Richmond, .Dow transferred to the
A!cLepiscopal See Of Baltimore, Intends giving
a reception in Richmond to the clergy Of the
Diocese on the occasion Of his departure from
among them. The Rev. clergy will improve
this very appropriate opportunity TO present to
him magnificent Chalico and Paten as tes-
timopial of their love and esteem for him. and
Of their high appreciation of his character for
zeal and piety dnring the period Of his admin
is!raliou of the Docese. The Chalice is OF
pure gothic design with solid 20k. gold cup,
surrounded with medaions richly aud beauti
fully chased and engraved. The rest Of the
Chalicc is of solid silver, plated with gold and
handsomely engraved with symbolcaI figures
corresponding with the cup. Around the base
Of the Cbalcc there is az inscription 10 Latin
expressive Of the love and esteem the clergy of
the Diocese entertain for their late bishop. 1t
is as follows
"Revmo Jacobo Gibbons in ordinations
tiIialis que pctatis tcstimoDium, Cicero Rich.
moudcusi mcuse Ooobris MDCCCLXXVIl."
10 RI. Rev. James Gibbons, from the clergy
Of the Diocese of Richmond, as an evidence of
their esteem and fIial devotion. October,
1877.
This Chalico is twelve inches in height, and
is justly regarded as a MASTERPIECE OF beauty
and Of skill
The Paten, or plate, is Of lax. gold bear
og synbolical figures of most beautiful design
and workmanship. A large and elegant Turkey
morocco case completes this magnificent testl-
monal, which cost over $400.-NortoM Land
mark
WINE FOR DINNER.-The New York Jour.
nal of Commerce says: There is no set fashion
for the serving OF wine at dinner. Some omit
it altogether others serve single variety oil
light wine, as Rhine or clarct, throughout the
dinner, while some open champagne after the
soup, and keep the glasses filled with it to the
close. Where variety of wines are given, the
white wines, Sauernc, Rhine, Tokay, &c.,
GENERALLY the former), are served with raw
oysters, OF just before the soup; sherry or Ma
deira with soup or fish; then cIaret (although
some prefer champagne with thu meat and
leave the claret to come in with the game);
champagne next 10 regular order; aud auy fine
wine, as choice Burgundy, port sherry, or Ma
deira, with the desert. A tiny glass of llqueur
(Curacoa is best) is served just before leaving