Evening capital and Maryland gazette. (Annapolis, Md.) 1910-1922, 1919-06-07
OF DAYS
Of The LONG AGO
Annapolis Then And Now. Al
Viewed Through Spectacies
OF June Week Visitor
m RETRosPEcTIoN

June week, Just ended, has brought
many visitors to this quaint. old Eag-
Iish town, Annapolis, but none IS more
Interested III its qnaIntnesss and IT,
modern up-in-datenegs, than lady
from the good old Quaker City. Phiia-
delphIa, who. writing 10 her old friend,
Priscilla, glimpses of long ago, In
which Annapolis was the railying
point Of culture. becomes Yetrospec-
tive IN the following letter:
Priscilla dear Here am with my
two girls, doing June week at this dear
old town. AS | see the hitting crowds
and the young men making ready to
work Tor Uncle sam. wonder II they
know anything 0f the part this little
city on the severn has played IN the
past OF our land, when the Naval Acad-
envy and IT'S fleet of warahips we're
scarcely even dreamt OF Elizabeth
Murray says No more striking relic
OF the Old Colonial Times remains 10
us than the little city of Annapolis
IN 1889 Annapolis was erected into
town port and place 81 trade. under
the name OF Anne Arundel In 1886
TIE Legislature established an Acad-
envy by the name 81 King williams
School This year, 1896. II was
proposed to build church at
Annapolis I'd DO called 81. Anne
being the only brick church In Mary
land. A Mr.. Gaddess was sent out by
bis Lordslip. the Bishop Of London: q
provision was made for his mainten-
.saace OF 10000 pounds OF tobacco.
ia I77a Trustees were appointed by
the General Assembly 10 build new
church, an elegant church which is to
be adorned with steepIe. the old
church to DO taken down A fine
church was built, but In 1853 was de-
aisrowed BY fire. Riley. III The An
Client City, says About il O'Clock
the ringing OF the bell Of the church
summoned the citizens To the destruc-
ton Of this ancient sdIfce. AT first
tbs bell seemed 70 be only the 8
o'clock curfew, but the doIeful cry
OF Are resounding the dark and
quiet streets, told another story. For
two hours the flames, unseen and In
accessible. poured forth volumes Of
atiHIng smoke from the furnace be-
low. This siumber, that deceived the
hopeful suddenly ended with all the
flames flarinK into the ceiling darling
from the roof. leaping 10 the tower.
The falthfuI bell. that had not ceased
from tho beginning of the fire to peal
tks own requiem, broke the Silly at
assosphepe with It's doleful knell. The
cracking tlmbers Joined the dirge. the
plliiess heat. sweeping through the
organ, touched Its keys with fiery
fingers, and made II sing its own death
song. whilst passing steamers SYM
pafhizing bell, and faithful women's
tearH attended the unexpected calami-
II. Immediately after the loss of
thelr venerable church the parlehlon-
era built another 1859 The Com
lnunion service was presented to the
parish hy william. Srd, Of England.
engraved with the royal arms and
tie Initials Nv. n.
1897 The new State House Was
built with brick brought from Eng
land. These were the days when 1t
was Annapolis City and Baltimore
town.
III 17ls the old market house was
erected, none OF the inhabitants OF
this city shall buy any flesh or ash,
living Or dead eggs, butter or cheese.
(oysters exceptedl. 1T their own
houses. but shall repair to and buy
the same at the flagg staffe on the
State House Hill and that the market
BE opened at s or o'clock In the
forenoon aud that the drum beats half
quarter Of an hour TO give notice there
Of, and that no person nresmmes to
buy anything until the drum be done
beating. and that the market day be
on Wednesday and Saturday every
week
Long before the American Revoiu-
tlon Annapolis was conspicuous as
the seat of wealth and fashion the
luxurious habits, the elegant accom-
plishments and profuse hospitality OF
It's Inhabitants were known through
out the Colonies. A Frenchman
writes OF the few buildings at least
thgee fourths may be styled elegant
and grand Female luxury here ex-
cals what Is known In the province OF
France. 4 French hairdresser ii u
man Of importance, and It's said eer-
tain dame here hires one at a thou
Hand crowns year The furniture
OF the houses is OF the costliest de-
scraptlOn. They have light and eie-
giant carriages drawn By fine horses
Coachmcn are slaves and richly dress
ed. There appears 10 be more wealth
and luxury in annapolis than many
other cities which have visited in this
country The daughter of Commodore
Nicholson describes the fashionable
anausetnents OF the society hare as be-
Ing much more brilliant than that of
New York.
y Duiany Addison writes:
Ny Uncle John and were invited TO
an evening party. After dinner as was
his wont. he took an airing iii the rid