The morning times., 1896-03-08

The Old Virginia city OF Alexandria. rich
in Revolutionary memories, ana famed for
Its hospitality and gay social happenings
century ago, imErcsseS the visitor today
by its hereditary refinement and warm
cordiality.
Seen from tEc river, as one approaches
the historic city by boat. are large build
ingS OF square English brick. once Alex
andria'S hOaStcd warehouses, blackCned by
time. and with moss grown, sankcn roofs
rapidly going the WAY OF buildings left TO
care for themselves.
Rising in tiers 10 tie high grounds of the
city, back of these silent sTeclcrS OF =
former age. are gardens and trees surround
ing houses usually OF the same material,
but of more pleasing ST Vie of architecture.
Their black roofs, shaped into gamhrels,
hips and gables. are pierceI lay innumer-
able CliimHeyS. which stand out against The
Sky in manner that is al once picturesque
and pleasing. These var-colored smoke
stacks OF all sizes and shapes, correspond
with the houses they top; ana about the
whole is the flavor of colonial days, how
ering like the scent OF rose leaves in an
Old china jar.
To these age-honored buildings cling the
musty traditions of hygonC days, and what
Tory smack there Is in the names of the
streets they front on-King. Queen, Prince,
Princess. Duke, Royal, etc.
ATTUNED TO SURROUNDINGS.
A. The Times man went through one OF
the streets that led up and back from the
river 10 an old mansion built IN the
style that WAS so pleasing 10 the So.thern
heart al the beginning OF this century. he
grew more and more IN accord with the
surroundings. The knocker which hanged
against the brass called an old colored
servant TO the door. whose polite manner
was not of The latter day variety.
Yes. sub. yes suh. answered he. in
response 10 our inquiry; walk right in,
sun. De co!onel's in de Ibrar -" With
tits he bowed low, showing a bald pate
surrounded by fringe OF whijcned kinks.
and directed Us to chcery room, fun of
Thckcriug shadows from an open CRATE.
where IN The dusk sal the gentleman we
sought. He was u frank, generous, and
Jendcr-hcarled man, fun three score and
ten. and the moment we were announced
he arose with a greeting characteristic
particularly Of The old-Scbool Vrginian-
one of those double handshakeS, given with
sinceresJ cOrdiality.
NY dear hoy, / am delighted, / assure
yo'. Nothing gives me more pleasu than
10 talk of good ole Alexandria. Put yo'
body in that chair and yo' feet on that
fender. Have drop Of sherry? jedi"
This last brings the old darkey 10 the door,
and. walking across the room. the colonel
whispers in his ear, Another Plate at
dinner"
he had, like all true Southcrncrs, a
charming personality, and a voice soft and
tion that is delightful TO the ear. a 5 he
seats himself in his great arm chair in
front Of The open CRATE, with its SOFT glow
fun upon him, he gazes meditatively for
q while into the live Goals. picluring the
events Of boyhood days and those carried
down from another generation. and relates
the incidents with great pleasure and
deal Of pride.
ALEXANDRIA IN HER PRIME.
In those good old days of long ago. when
the colonisls lived under the King of Eng
land. when the staples OF the fields passed
current rs gold A leXandria was in her prime.
Al that time il was one of the cities Of the
new world. ranking. as il did. with Phila-
delphia and Baltimore, and indeed rivaliug
the latter city to such an extent that papers
published there in thet time show that
strenuous efforts were put forth to keep
pace with this promising city, and, If
possible. Outrank it.
II grew rapidly, both in population and
wealth and was noted fer the entcrprising
methods of its merchants. Large ware
houses were erected along The river from,
and vessels from foreign ports sailed up the
broad Potomac TO drop anchor at her
wharyes. ana to axe on board the rich stores
whicha waitedihem. These were eX changed
for bricks furniture. carpets porcelain,
carriages and other manufactured articles
which the burghcrs and gentry were too
busy TO make.
Soon shipping was done on a grand scale,
ana Alexandra gave promise ol being the
greatest city South of Manhattan: and. as
II was confidently thought, being the Place
SO dear 10 The heart Of Gen. WaShingto on. to
eventually become tie capital OF the nation.
The ambition OF The towuSpeople, who al
ready had Philadelphia and Baltimore nler-
chants buying supplies from her stores. was
TO rival New York.
In I1zS. so jhe records show. il was
recommended 10 the general assembly Of