Alexandria is very handsomely situated. The streets are laid out on the plan of Philadelphia, crossing each other at right angles, and are generally well paved. It is considered remarkably healthy, and the view from the city is very fine. The town is situated in the bottom of a valley, which to the eye of an observer is terminated in every direction by lofty and verdant hills. To the north he sees the city of Washington, -the capitol with its beautiful columns, white walls, and towering dome, forming a most conspicuous object; to the south, the broad translucent expanse of the Potomac opens upon him, with Fort Washington, lying like a white line on its distant margin, opposite to Mount Vernon.

The river opposite to the town is a mile in breadth, and varies from 34 to 52 feet in depth, in the ship channel, which here washes the shore, of course the harbor is naturally very fine, and it has been much improved by the erection of large and commodious wharves.

The population in 1800, was 4,196; in 1810, 7,227; in 1820, 8,218; in 1840, 8,459. The public buildings are a court-house, and 10 churches-2 Presbyterian, 2 Episcopal, 2 Methodist, 1 Baptist, 1 Friends, 1 colored Methodist, and 1 Roman Catholic. The city has considerable shipping, and exports wheat, Indian corn, and tobacco, to a considerable amount. The tonnage of the port in 1840, was 14,470. The Chesapeake and Ohio canal extends to this place, and may be expected to add to its prosperity. It has 2 banks, with an aggregate capital of $1,000,000; and 1 fire, and 1 marine insurance company. It is governed by a mayor, and a common council of 16 members.

About three miles from Alexandria, in Fairfax county, is the Virginia Theological Seminary, an institution founded in 1822, by the Protestant Episcopal Church of the diocese of Virginia. The bishop of the diocese, the Right Rev. William Meade, D. D., is president of the faculty. It has 4 professors, 53 students, and a library of about 4,000 volumes.

An interesting incident occurred at Alexandria in the life of Washington. It is given below, as it has often been published : When Col. Washington was stationed at Alexandria, in 1754, there was an election for members of the Assembly, when Mr. W. Payne opposed the candidate supported by Washington. In the course of the contest, Washington grew warm, and said something offensive to Mr. Payne, who, at one blow, extended him on the ground. The regiment heard that their colonel was murdered by the mob, and they were soon under arms, and in rapid motion to the town to inflict punishment on the supposed murderers. To their great joy he came out to meet them, thanking them for such a proof of attachment, but conjuring them by their love for him and their duty, to return peaceably to their barracks. Feeling himself to be the aggressor, he resolved to make honorable reparation. Early next morning he wrote a polite note to Mr. Payne, requesting to see him at the tavern. Payne repaired to the place appointed, in expectation of a duel; but what was his surprise to see wine and glasses in lieu of pistols. Washington rose to meet him, and smiling as he offered his hand, began, "Mr. Payne, to err is nature; to rectify error is glory. I believe I was wrong yesterday; you have already had some satisfaction, and if you deem that sufficient, here is my hand-let us be friends." An act of such sublime virtue produced its proper effect, and Mr. Payne was from that moment an enthusiastic admirer of Washington.

THE END.

ERRATA. On page 282, evidence is presented to prove that Shelly, in Gloucester county, was the spot where Pocahontas rescued Capt. Smith. Since that form was printed, we have received a letter from the author of the article alluded to, in which he says: "From a description of Werowocomoco, the scene of Smith's rescue, in "Newes from Virginia," (by Smith) republished in the last [January 1845] number of the Southern Literary Messenger, and from other circumstances, I am now satisfied that I was mistaken in supposing the scene of the rescue was at Shelly, and that it was some miles lower down York river, at or near what is still known as 'Powhatan's Chimney;' which, I take it, was attached to the house built for the Emperor by the English."