New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-11-12

eouare news which were reduced in 1916, except
the Washington pew. TO the regulation style Oh
sittings Of to-day. ,-
The present structure was begun in 1867. ac-
cording to the specifications and delivered TO
the vestry in 1913. At that time ten pews were
sold Colonel Washington purchased pew NO.
3 against the north wall, for t36 los, besides
IS additional. This pew Is preserved intact anu
Is marked by a silver plate bearing the auto
graph OF Washington 1t is not rented, but Is
used for visitors to the church during services.
The pews Nos 46 and A.. respectively. across the
aisle bear the plates Of X. f. Lee. the chleftaih
OF the Confederacy. and fltznugh Lee '"e III"
tor general, who served in CUBA ,
Lawrence Washington the only male chlld Oh
the blood a son Of John Augustine washington,
who sold the Mount Vernon mansion l ana SIX
acres 10 the Ladies' Association III lo'o Is
member of the vestry
INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH.
In the chancel are still in place two episcopal
chairs and the communion table OF polished
mahogany. about three feet by eighteen inches
on the top, and standing on frail legs. on
either side OF the chancel are marble tablets. one
10 George Washington, erected by the Ladies
Memorial Association in 1872. just after the
death of General Lee.
The central chandelier OF brass and crystals.
presented by General Washington, is strKlngy
Colonial in STYLE and was, from appearances
one of the earliest ventures in that line OF elapo-
rate illuminating appliances IL IS opsoe'e as
a lighter but luminous as remnscence
In the vestry room is a large museum or para
phernalia of the church in its Washington DAYS,
including the first Bible used in the church.
published in 1867, and book OF Common Prayer
printed in the United States in l'o'.
The Rev Bergman Green who performs the
pastoral functions to-day. is a man Of bright in
tellect and fits in style and eloquence the relnl-
niscent spirituality and current surroundings
Of the place.
General Washington was disciplined church
man and a firm believer in the efficacy OF prayer.
The traditions Of the Alexandria Church" say
Wac al participated earnestly
In the responses, especially repeating the Lord
Prayer and the Greed. He always kneeled In
prayer and partook of the communion with Mrs.
Washington and Nellie Custls. afterward Mrs.
Lawrence Lewis.
After services Washington always tarried
upon the lawn outside to receive his nsighbors
and friends in a pleasant chat OF fifteen or
twenty minutes Then, handing Mrs. Washing
ton and Nellie into their chaise or family coach
| and four he mounted his favorte steed. his
negro attendant, Bishop, holding the stirrup,
| end the party galloped off toward Mount Yer
non. seven miles away
| WASHINGTON AT ALEXANDRIA.
The General, after resigning his commission
| at Annapolis. arrived at Mount Vernon on
| Christmas Eve. The next day. with his family.
ne attended divine services at Christ Church.
after which there was a scene in the life OF the
| great man near the church lawn which pen is
4 inadequate TO describe, and artist has yet
| portrayed. The name OF Washington and Alex
| andria as a community are inseparable In the
first sale Of lots by the trustees. July 10
| 1149. Lawrence Washington. one OF the trus-
| tees the half brother Of the great George
| bought several lots. In the old hotel. built In
| 1850, Washington had his headquarters. In the
| Braddock House the unfortunate general OF
| that name held the Council Of War with Gov
1 ernors Shirley, Morris, Dinwddie and George
| Washington, before the disastrous campaign 10
| the Monongahela.
T. Shooters Hill. one mile west of Alexandria
| where Fort Ellsworth stood in the defences Of
Washington during the Civil War was selected
In 1893 by James Madison. chairman OF the
Congressional Committee to select site for thu
| Capitol as the site for that structure. which
| was favored by Jefferson but he was overruled
| by President Washington as showing too much
| favor to Virginia.
| In his visits to Alexandria Washington al
| ways rode on horseback. followed by blacl
servant, also splendidly mounted The Gen
| eral cooked and pinched hat, the
| "chapeau de Bras was not then In vogue. HI
was fond of dancing in his youthful days. and
| even after the Revolution. and was equally font
| OF the Alexandrian beauties. The assemblies
| in his youth were held at John Hancock's tav.
| ern, and Washington. except when absent or
| military duty, was always on hand, the first Il
arrive and the last to leave. He was digniied
| and gallant. In his older days the assemblies
| became very stately, and were held at Wise's
| Tavern At that time the social life OF Alex.
| andria was not surpassed except in scale OF
| numbers even at NewYork or Philadelphia
| the capital Of the young republic Washington
| attended these assemblies TIL just before his
| death.
Wooed and Won;.The rich old wooes tn,
msTcsnsry young girl s.,x -.
Here the girl laughs derisively. for religion cut
"scisntistr adds the old man, finishing his sen
Il !. at this point that the msrcsnsry young cir
the nrst time he gets siok.-IDetroit Journal