The Washington critic., 1890-02-23
IN ANCIENT ALIEN ANDRIA.
Filled with Memories of the Coun-
try's First President,


Alexandria could not arouse sufficient
energy yesterday to get up the usual
celebration in favor of Washington, of
whom ii is so full of memories. This
omission was not due to any lack of
patriotism, however the citizens were
careful to explain, but because the fire
men, who take a leading part in the
customary parade, are going to have
big demonstration of their own in June
and did not feel equal to the expense of
both affairs.
Yet, Notwithstanding the absence of
any particular celebration, q number of
visitors found their way from Wash
ington to the sister city as a sort of p2tri-
otic pilrigmaget TO those places which are
especially interesting through their as
sociation with the illustrious George.
Old Christ Church was the particular
Mecca of these pilgrims. The ven
cradle edifice is somewhat changed
stree the day when Washington wor
SHIPPED there, but in q short time, pos
sibly this summer, it is hoped to begin
the work of restoring it as far rs prac-
ticable to its old time con dition
The old. fashioned window Just be-
hind the pulpit, which was removed to
make way for one of more modern de-
sign, rests quietly in the cellar, and
will be resurrecied and returned to its
former place. The old pulpit and the
reading desk, the latter Of which is now
used in the Sunday school building,
will also be restored, and will give TO
the chancel much the same appearance
as it must have had a century ago. Tn.
fortunately, the old sounding board has
! been lost and cannot be replaced.
The big double pew of the Washing.
ton family, with its frayed and faded
cushions, was the great point Of attrac-
ton to yesterdays visitors, as to those
of all other days, and not few coins
were dropped into the little box upon
the pillow just in front of it,, all of
whose contents go toward keeping the
historic old building in repair. Some
few of the visitors, less awed by the
surroundings than others, sat upon the
seat once occupied by the Father of his
Country. The seat of General Robert
+. Lee, just across the aisle, came in
next for attention, and in the vestry
room were to be seen other relics Of by
gone days.
Not far away, on South Alfred street
a flag was flying from the house OF tht
Friendship Engine Company in honor
of the day. Washington's connection
with this ancient organization. which
dates from 11i4, has endeared him tC
the firemen of Alexandria, and the fine
old engine house and still serviceablt
hand engine, with which the frs
President doubtless ran occasionally be
fore increasing years and dignities com
PEELED him to give up such diversions
are religiously preserved The com
pany is no longer in active service, bu
the firemen say that when the ole
Friendship is brought out on gala occa
sions, and the brakes are manned by
strong arms, she can throw goot
stream over the tower of the engine
house.
One of the most interesting places il
Alexandria, through the memories o
Washington which it calls up, is TIN
lodge.Toom of Alexandria Washington
Lodge, No. %, of Free Masons, in tn
market house. The lodge-room itsel
is not old, but it is filled with article
that formerly belonged to Washington
or were associated with him in som
way. There is to be seen the clocl
which ticked in his bed chamber as h
lay dying at Mount Vernon, and who's
hands point TO 1920 o'clock, the hou
at which he passed away on Decembe
IA, 1899. They were stopped then, an
have never moved since.
On the walls hang several valuabl
pictures of Washington. For one o
these, painted by Williams Of Philadel
phia, when the General was 6l year
old. the lodge has refused $4,000
Far more precious, however, in Ma
sonic eyes, is the high backed chair i
which Washington sat while presidin
over the meetings OF the lodge rs it
Grand Master. 1t is a sad commentary
on the propensity toward VANDALISM
that seems to mark the American pee
pie that this fine old chair has bee
greatly injured by constituencies cur
osity- seekers.
Pieces of the leather seat and bac
I have been cut out by visitors whe
they could do so without being dc
{ tecied, and this act has been so frC
quently repeated that the indignar
members Of the lodge are strongly il
clned TO refuse admittance TO all visl
ors, even 10 fellow Masons If the
could As it IS no one can be admitte
unless accompanied by member.
Just across the street from th
{ market house is the Braddock Housl
AleXandria's leading hotel which ha
, a decidedly unique attraction. This
, the old Braddock House, around whc
the present hotel has been built, an
which was the starting point of th
reckless English Generals disastrou
expedition against the Indians. In thI