National Republican., 1885-06-08
ALExANpnlA,s ArornnosIs.

Ahe hhclthN bNEH rfNpuithlAE Do-
scribed-Bcautiss That Are Com-
monty Ignored.
There are two things am sorry for
namely, that Alexandria is in Virginia
and not in the District Of Columbia, as it
used to bo, and that Aexandria has not
tho prosperity which it once had and is
entitled to now. True, whom in tho ma
tional allotment our general government
did nothing whatever for it, and m ores
tho pity; yot true It is also that Alex
audria, though outside our territory, may
at present do much for herself, and, wo
are happy TO sec, seems determined to do
1t. Great difficulties oppose her progress,
but sho Is awake, quito recovered from
her long sleep, aud will overcome
great difficulties.
Yesterday wo visited tho ancient city
the city which in its carly days acknOwl-
edged tho authority Of England's king;
the city which witnessed tho meeting OF
Braddock's men and their march for tho
wilderness, where disaster ovoTcamc them,
too unwary aud too weak for the On.
counter of their savage foe. tho city
which know tho daily footsteps Of George
Washington, aud whose Sabbhths received
his prayers in tho venerable Christ
Church, yet existing.
We walked it's still and haunted streets
with strange feeling Of solomnity. Ere
our own city, tho nations metropolis, had
risen, even in u dream, Alexandria was.
| it, tys porambulatod by British soldiers,
/ i.. 3D.. in their red coats, or Its halls gay
! g. ut with the balls and all the courto-
| a!.. % gallantrios Of u garrison station
| We cannot help recurring to one point
| of tho ancient era, namely, this city's
/ change of originally Belle Haven
among all its melancholy losses very
melan choly loss. Nature suggested the
title, and doubtless smiled swootor than
ever before when tho founders adopted IL.
A beautiful haven IL Is, indeed n broad,
smooth water, we'll protected by hills ON
every side from all the herco winds that
blow.
The sito OF Alexandria was wisely
chosen; ground gradually rising from the
Potomac, with gently undulating sur
faces. forest-crownod, moro remote. Tho
contiguration of the earth here Insured
| perfect drainage. and consequently per-
feet health. Water, from exhuustless
springs pure and delightful air, u soil
rich and early stonoless, n climate never
in eNtremes-all these arc hers. She APP
preciatcd them, enjoyed, aud prosperud.
Then camo the ceding by her state TO tho
public desire, and from that unfortunate
day her glory declined, still became
fainter aud fainter, till 10 departed. Dc.
parted, wo now believe, not forever.
She was i'll the situation Of trustful
girl who, leaving her parents, had bo.
como the ward of hor uncle--a very rich
old gontleman--said uncle promising
wonderful advantages, and noglocting to
perform single one Of his promises. Yet
| Uncle Samuel has improved Of late. aud
If he had hor again in charge would prob
ably secure her fortune.
| Alcxandria's first attraction to visitor
is Christ Church, n curious ante-revolu-
tionary edifice, of which tho bricks were
brought from England. 1t stands in a
large inclosurc among venerable treos, land
on its grassy ground appear many white
stones commemorative of the dead congre-
CATION. Ivy steals up its time-stained
walls. Within tho attendant shows tho
wide, largo pew in which once sat the
Washington family. Every stranger
pauses before it in silence, living back
mentally the extraordinary life of the
patriot-hero then, permission readily
granted, enters with feeling of sacred awe
and seats himself for while on the broad
bench. Scarcely day eau pass without
somo such tribute to tho Father Of oui
Country.
Other churches arc found at interval s.
numerous In proportion to the population
all tasteful and well.kept buildings, and
all faithfully thronged at proper seasons
Tho denominations arc ono Catholic, one
Baptist, two Presbyterian, three Episcopa
lian, one German Lutheran, and on,
Synagogue; these not including the col.
orcd churches, which also abound.
I Tn tho gRhpnla "a rn
transition, for education is q main brancl
of religion. The city is literally supplied
with institutions of this character, first
tho public, or free, both for white and
colored children, all prosperous under the
excellent superintendoncy of AIr. VIM. Il
Carne, aud then the private, or pay; ono
for young ladies, Miss Rebccca Powell
teacher; Mount Vernon Institute
ladies, Miss Mary Ann Roach; Sis
ters of the Holy Cross; st. John,
academy boys, partly military, Mr.. Il. l.
Carne; Potomac academy, boys, Mr.. John
S. Blackburn. These private schools are
also conducted in the most satisfactory
manner. Alexandria, indeed, has an an
Client and enviable reputation in this re.
gard, which arose more than half Il cen
tury ago, at tho advent of that ostimablC
"Ffiend," Benjamin Hallowcll, whose
proved during many years boon and {
blessing to numerous lads and yOunl
men, not only at its location, but TO those
from our metropolis and from the states
generally.
Various lodges of Masons. Odd Fellows
and temperance orders flourish here, al
aiding zealously in tho good work of edu
cation, kindness, charity, and religion
A military company, the Light Infantry
occasionally parades-auOther important
helper, should circumstances demand IN
tho holy cause Of right, justice, and
liberty.
The charitable societies arc: st. Vim,
cent do Paul and the Ladies' Union Re
lief, both of which are careful to assist
the poor, the weak, and the struggling in
life's often distressing scenes.
In Armory Hall theatrical entertain.
ments, concerts, and lectures occur now
and then-frequently for charitable pur.
poses-and arc appreGiatiyely and numer.
ously attended. The same is the case in
regard to the newer and larger Lannon'S
Opera House.
Tho old Alexandria Gdseic-old almost
beyond memory-a daily newspaper
edited by Edgar Snowden, still lives in
vigor. a weekly, tho itcm, little but
lively, sparkles too, doing its best Il
light the way for progress. Then, serenely
luminous, like the moon, shines forth
monthly tho Aeademy Jom7taL from ST.
Johns.
Commerce advances some shipBuilding
is now on the way, and the planning mills
of Smoot & Perry and OF Aitcheson 4
Bro. arc active. Though the street,
are perhaps generally too quiet, yet one
is gratifed TO see, here and there, houses
in the course of erection and TO hear the
merry music OF hammer and trowel
These buildings are mostly small, for
residences, but unusually attractive on
account oftheir convenient arrangements
aud simple architectural beauty. An old
citizen informed US that thoro Is moro OF
this kind of improvement tho present