Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-08-28
VA. TUESDAY EVENING, AUGUST 2S 1900

W omtJ eOine interesting points COZ
nocted with that noted University
town. Prominent among its famous
landmarks is the Washington elm uu-
der which the father OF bis county took
command Of the American army 10 the
stirring times OF the revolution. Tue
venerable tree and the main branches
are braced with iron rods 10 prevent
them from being injured or broken of
by heavy winds. While the grounds
of Harvard University, espt cially the
square, are most beautiful it cannot
compare 10 the rstursl advantages Of
situation with the University of Virgin
ia. The buildinge are solid, substantial
and many of them large but are
generally deficient in architec-
tusl beauty, elwsys excepting the
the magnificent Memorial Hill. Again
the University of Virginia excels in the
unique classic grace OF its buildings
planned as it was by the mas.
ter mind of Thomas Jefferson.
The Phillips Brooks House lately
erected % the centre of the religious
! life of Harvard, is a fine specimen of
the revived colonial architecture, and Is
in excellent keeping with its surround
ings. Harvard reeds new library
building to accommodate its rapidly it,
cressiDg ore OF books This will AZ
ford fire opportunity for a high order
OF architectural genius, aud it is 20 be
hoped that the opportunity, when il
comts, will be ably redeemed. TIE
buildings at Harvard are OF necessity
spread over large extent of ground,
so there is no unity OF design, Dor fine
grouping as at the University Of Vir-
ginia. We have nc intention of detract
ing from the beauties OF Harvard, for In
spite of these defects its square and its
avenues have an enduring charm and
one cannot but fee the spell ofits ar
tiquity (ss we reckon on time in the
New World) and its noble traditions.
Among the valued treasures of Harvard
is the notable Ware collection Of glass
flowers. These are found in the Uai-
versity Museum, and were made 10
Germany by the brothers Blaschka who
alone possess the secret OF the srt. They
are intended TO illustrate the botanical
course, and represent the flowers and
leaves exactly as they are with models
of their paris -uch as stsmeps and
seeds made from maenitied drawings 90
as 80 facilitate study. Everyone visit
ing Harvard ought 10 see them. They
are truly remarkable.
After our Seturn from Rrookly lyn We spent
ore cay most deightf.lly in visiting friends |
at Dobbs Ferry one of them former resi-. |
don't of your city We drove that day to |
TarrS town passiI through most beautiful |
and romsntic coantTy adorned with ths ee- |
CANT homes OF the W slthy, their parks snd |
highly cultivstei demeinSs rarryto~n is |
rich in historic m mo,ioa We paused b fore |
the church whore Washington living worship |
ped aid Of VIII ch he was ve.trym an, and from |
which ho WAS buried A ialy driving with |
us WAS present at his funeral The next |
plsce Of tragic interest is that where MsjoI /
Andre was taken M num9nt mTks The |
spot with patriotic inscription ard n medal
lion Of MS capture FsTth,r on beyond the |
town is Sleepy Hol W with its old Dutch |
Church, ard near tho quaint building ia the
bridge over which the headless hCrsem-n
rode But in tho Interests OF truth which |
must always be respected. onr friend told us |
We were driving over The new bridge which |
n aces the old one OF IIvng's day. On tha |
hillside above the church he sleeps surround
cd by many members Of bis family. A simple
stone, the third or, cted (for sdmiriDg a
loving vandsls. SC, king relic had destroyed
the former ono), iu cribed with his rame and
late OF birth and ceeth, mark tho spot wher,
he rests in hope OF the resurrection tn eternal
life. And as wo stood there We thought of
ihe pleasure and profit given to 20 man,
readers by his gifted pen. In ;hst pictur.
esque cemetery tsnd number IF COS ly g. d
fine monuments, bu, the one sought by vsi-
t rs from far and near is the severely smplo
sab bearii the name Of Washington Irving.
We cannot adequately describe the pleasure
our friends gave US in that drive and their
genuine hospitality has made the day spent
in their lovely home sbova the noble Hudson
one never be forgotten. w.