ashingtOn.
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WASHINGTON, Oct Is, 1874.
The Big Plunge at the Napv Yard-La Belle and
the BsAes-Falcon and Teaser-a Graphic Account
thereof-by, no matter tchom.


The Nth day of the 10th month Of the 44th year
Of the 18th century-that is to say, ysstsrday-was
ushered into the world Of existence, clothed in a
ceruean blue as gorgeous as ever bedecked the
armament Of heaven. An October sun difiused
abroad its mellow light, and not heecy cloud Of
autumn intercepted its golden beams. Nature, in
deed, seemed to hold jubilee over the Justification
of Miller's prophecy, and men and women, boys
and girls, "nlggers and loafers'-eyery grade, from
the gold-spoon to the scubbing brush aristocracy,
appeared to exut in the beauteous evidences Of the
worlds existence. Father Miller had had his day;
he had immersed his saints and sinners n the wa
tiers of so called regeneration; and to-day was
set apart by old ''Uncle SAM for the baptism of
one of his saints in the waters Of the Potomac
Instead, therefore, Of being launched, according
to the prophecy OF Miller, into the gulf OF eter-
nifty on the 23d, the est Marys'' gded,
like ''thing OF life" into the river Poto,.
as her appearance noble The calm, unrp.
pied waters, mirroring the immensity above-the
high. surrounding hills, darkened by the shadows
OF numberless beings-the vast, majestic ship





sun be ans varied tints-he painting steamers in the
distance, crowded with tip-toe spectators-the
smaller craft near by, with sails unfurled and
steamers sporting IN the breeze-hese, apart from
the scene one of varied grandeur and beauty. The
plunge was majestic. The naval bantling was re-
moved from the cradle OF her birth TO the bosom
of the deep, amid the deafening OF cannon, the
swelling strains of music, and the loud huZzas Of
an immense multitude.


The incidents Of the launch are scarcely worth
recording; but one Of the many may be noticed, on
account OF Its novelty, and OF the infinite deal Of
allude to the regatta OF the boat clubs La Belle
Teazer, and Falcons La Belle. previously to the
race. veered round, aud, approaching one of the
'.belles" who graced the shore, and "dofFed hats
to two particularly, one OF whom is sweet CHI
ming church belle as ever pealed the organic num-
bers of the matin or vesper hymn, the other being
also OF the angelic choir, though not songster OF
soimuch celebrity as the first. With this precious
cargo aboard, s'La Belle" FLASHED oars, and, fol
lowed by the Teazer and Falcon, pursued the
trackless deep, skipping the restless wave with
by set Of sturdy oarsmen. with jackets of anc
sleeves rolled up, took the lead, whilst the "Fa
con" propelled BY crew OF ''nce young men,
accustomed rather 70 ply the quill than the oar
followed at some distance in the rear. The
'scontest waxed warm" every man plying
the oar .energetcally. The canal, which in
tersects the river near the Navy Yard, was
enlivened by the cOntcndlng craftsmen. Ih6
''Teazer" got ahead, and 'La Belle" hard by; the
Falcon being immeasurably behind The scene
al this point, viewed from the summit Of hill afal
eff, was perhaps as ludcrous, as farccal as conf
cal, as laughable, as any that ever opened to NOR
tai vision on the 'banks Of the cana'' Either side
was lined with crowds Of ragged urchins, who ren
the air with the most deafsning huzzas, lncoheren
calculations, and tumultuous applause, keeping
pace with the boats during the whole line OF the
route. go it Teazer!" shouted hundred husky
voices-"Pull away, Bell" cried out as many
more-"Three cheers for the ladies'" vocferated
an equal number-"Row up, Falcon" exclaimed
another squad, intermingled with quantum OF
haloong and believing, groaning and Kissing, thai
outweghed by far the aggre gated cheers and misses
that usually burden the atmosphere Of locOloco
meeting.


Victory perched upon the oars Of the "Teazers, -
g La Belle" contendng manfully for the prize, and
the Falcon" being outstripped by many odds
The ladies (dear creatures y were safely landed
near Four and a.half street, (t is sad) minus
bonnet, which was inadvertently over-balanced
by coming in contact with the nimble our Of one
OF the crew-the other, il is likewise said, report
ing as non est two scentless roses that bloomed in
sytlfclal luxuriance near the fertile region OF her
imagination, supposed to have been uprooted by a
flaw OF wind!


So much for SO much! | may give you some ad-
ditional particulars, not having time at present to
communicate more fully. With my respects, &C.
| remain--iust where AM