Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-03

Washington blasted her hopes by select
Ing the Maryland shore for the site OF the
new Capitol. Years ago her shipping WAS
filed with vessels from all parts OF the
world. some dischargng their oargoes.
and others receiving their return loads OF
corn and tobacco from the VirginiA plan
tations--all scene OF hustle ana activity,
that presaged Alexandria the future me
tropolis OF the New World.
Above the wharves We're huge bakeries
OF ship-bread and off in "F1shtown' inc
immense herring fisheries we're conoen-
trated. In long sheds by the river tue
sole occupation Of hundreds or people
was the sorting and curing OF fish: but
the sheds have long since fallen down,
and the wharves arc now used only by
few local steamers and the Alexandra
dariSy, who bangles his legs over the worn
beams. pretending 10 fish. while summing
himself in lazy content. And yet. In some
parts Of the town there IS considerable
life and business yet.
AS you wander through the narrow
streets. with their Tory names. such as
Princess. King. Queen-and all the rest OF
the Royal family-by which the periwig-
ged gentlemen founders OF the town eX-
hibited their loyalty. you feel as though
the wheels Of Time had been turned back
a century. on either hand are queer old
houses, about which there still clings a
delicious colonial flavor. and. despite their
disrepair. they have "A stately. imposing
look. As you gaze through their artistic
dOor-ways with the COrinthian columns,
side-hghts Of greenish odd-shaped panes,
ard delicate. fan-ike transoms overhead
YOU half expect TO see the old door, orna-
mented with brass knob and knocker'
open. and some grandee OF Washingtons
time step out In all the bravery Of velvet
and gold lace Now and then, through
half-open doors, you catch gilmpses OK
wide halls. with polished floors and vain
scoting. furnished with rare Old mahoga-
ny tables and chairs that probably occupy
the same places they did when Washing
ton visited there. FOR there IS hardly n
house OF any professions I'm Alexandria
whose atmosphere is not permoated with
traditions OF that illustrious Virginian,
who used TO ride up with Lady Washing
ton 10 dine and lie" with their good
friends. the various Alexandra IT. +.
V's"; or. you may long TO peep through
the dormer windows. jutting out from tho
weather-stainod roofs whose many little
panes let in the light upon family legends,
broken furniture. and quaint hair-cloth
trunks and cedar chests. When their Ids
are turned back a delicious odor Of lavon-
der and romance floats out. and oh. TO
look over their contents u old lOve-letters
and finory that belonged 10 some colonial
Polly or Nancy who has long since crum-
bled TO dust IN old Christ church-yardl
Forming the eastern wing Of the Brad
dock Hotel Is an old mansion. with great,
! yellow chmneys lifting themselves above
| the messy roof and queer attic windows.
! This IS the carlyle House. ths Oldest land
mark in Alexandria. II was built IN 11S2'
| by John s. Carlyle. upon the foundations
| Of an old stone fort, as tho guido win tel
you. lie will. also point out 70 you Two
! dungeons in the basement used for prison
! ers They are about 10xl5 feet In size.
! with vaulted roof and no windows. being
! lighted and ventilated through the barred
/ doors The massive iron dOor-ffames arc
| stu standing. In the blue-panelled par
| Tor Of this old mansion IN 100 was held
| the famous Bradd0ck council of war.
Besides the General and his staff there
| were present that day Governors Dll-
| widdie, Of Virginia. Sharpe, or Maryland
| Morris OF Pennsylvania; De Jancy, or
! New York, and Shirley, OF Massachu-
! setts, and Admiral Keppel and Major
| George Washington. Alas, for BraddOck
| that he did not accept the advice or
! that boy" But that old room could
! tell Of gayer scenes than councils Of war
Of birthright balls, levees, and stately
minuet danced by pretty Sally Fairfax
and "rhe Father OF His Country
In the hall is a winding staircase or
| solid mahogany rich and black with age,
| down whose broad sweep have t1pped
! many Of the bellies Of WashingtOn's day.
! Upstairs is the chamber Of General
! Braddock: also. one said 10 have been
used frequently by General and Mrs.
! Washington.
Leading up 20 the front-door OF the old
| "City Tavern is a short flight OF worn
wooden steps, from which Washington
made his last public speech in Alexandra;
| also. the Old Washington LODGE Room
/ contains many interesting relics OF that
/ great Mason. and is still worth Il visit.
In the Office of the Market-master you
! are shown n set Of copper weights ana
measures which have been in use since
| 1874 when they were Presented to the
, county by Lord Fairfax. The largest
measure is, even when empty, a heavy
| lift for a man.
And now we pass down old Cameron
street. by the quaint Fairfax house, 10
Christ church. This church, though old,
| is I'm excellent repair. and at first Will
disappoint the antiquarian. In 100 a tax
of 3lls5 pounds of tobacco was levied
: upon Fairfax parish 10 build Christ
church and Pohick church. further down
the river. The former was completed in
1773 with the exception Of the bell-tower.
Colonel George Washington had been
elected one of the first vestry in lGJ.
The only one Of tho old square pews still
preserved Is the one sold in pcrpetuity 10
Colonel Washington for &3G:l0s. In later