Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-11-28

that we do not forget the heroes Of the
past. After a full century since his
death, the devotion of the people to the
memory of Washington grows bright
er. The improved facilities Of inter-
course have vastly multiplied the num-
bers who do homage at his home and
tomb at Mount Vernon, at his head
quarters at Cambridge, Valley Forge,
Morristown and Newburg, at the site
of his oath taking as first president of
the United States in New York and at
other places associated with his daily
life, military exploits and civic duty.
Next to Mount Vernon, no place Is
SO interviewer with Washington's do
nestle personality and individuality as
the quaint old village of Alexandria,
Va, short distance from the national
capital, and particular interest cepters
| in Christ church, with which his name
is closely associated. The church has
lately been undergoing some repairs,
which, however, do not change its his
toric character and architectural style.
In addition to its association with the
religious life Of Washington, this
quaint Episcopal church, in Its new
dress. becomes one Of the most at
tractive types Of exterior and interior
design Of American colonial ecclesias-
teal architecture.
The interior is now exactly as 1t was
In Washington's day. The church is
built of the small blush brick imported
INV ard irfo TIM ha
high pulpit, with wooden canopy 0he
latter in part reproduced), and tablets
on either side of the chancel contain
ing the Lords Prayer. Apostles Greed
and Ten Commandments are the orig
inal work. George Washington was
member of the first vestry of the
church in 1765, when he was provin-
cial colonel. large plantation owner
and leading figure in the province of
Virginia.
The present structure was begun in
1857, according to the specifications,
and delivered to the vestry in 17f3. At
that time ten pews were sold. Colonel
Washington purchased pew No. 5.
against the north wall, for f36 los, be-
sides f5 additional. This pew is pre-
served intact and is marked by silver
plate bearing the autograph Of Wash
ington. 1t is not rented, but is used for
visitors to the church during services.
Since the construction of trolley lines
from Washington to Mount Vernon
and Alexandria, making these historic
places cheaply and easily reached, the
interest of American citizens in every
thing relating to General Washington
seems to be on the increase, and the
old Washington church is an especial
Mecca for patriotic pilgrimages.
Astronomers here as well as else
where were greatly interested in the
recently scheduled meteoric exhibition,
and the Naval observatory was brought
prominently into reQuisition, but the
sky gazers in the national capital,
where there are superior facilities for
study in this branch Of scientific re-
search, got no better results than were
attained elsewhere. The showers Of
Leonids did not materialize to any
great extent. Either there was a mis-
take in announcing the date Of Leo's
great spectacular show, as suggested
by Professor See, prominent though
sometimes mistaken astronomer, or our
upper air was too dense and Opaque at
the time it was booked to take place to
be seen by terrestrial eyes, even though
aided by powerful telescopes.
The Naval observatory is one Of the
places Of interest in the Capital City,