The Wilmingtonian, and Delaware register., 1824-10-07

Il
per seat. 1t was remarkable that whlle the
ground was covered with men, the windows
and doors above were filled with temales;-
The fashionable part of our city seemed &c
termined to exhibit the perfection OF tasee' III
the beauty of the decoration OF theirpersohs.
The waving of handkerchiets from hundreus
of snowy hands was incessant. AS the Iener-
al passed the United states Bank, the Iat-
riots of '76, each bearing his banner win .
in large letters upon it, encountered ms gaze'
The effect was elcctrical.-lh fatilots
cheered him as he passed, waving their pan
ners, and the General rose, and saiuted theih
most respectfully with three low bows. IN
Chcsnut street, wreathes were cast Dy the
ladies' to the Barouche, as it passed. When
he arrived at the Arch, the FIRST Brigade
formed double line facing inward, and pre-
sentcd arms The General passed up, fol-
lowed by the Committee, and alighted un-
der the Arch, passed through 1t, and was
received on the walk by the committee
The Civic Arch which crosses Chesnut IN
front Of the Hall of Independence is con-
structed of frame work covered with canvass,
and painted i'll perfect imitation OF stone.
The plan and general features are somewhat
similar to the triumphal Arch OF Septimus
Severus, at Rome. Its dimensions are 45
feet front by 10 feet in depth embracing a
basement story of the tloric order from which
the great arch springs, to the height OF "A
feet above the pavement OF the street. nc
s,andrils or abutments on each front are
decorated with figures OF Fame, painted III
basso relieve, having their arms extended
and mutually holding civic wreath over
the KEY stone Of the Arch. The wings Oh
each side of the centre arch OF the lonic or
der, being decorated with inches and statues
representing Liberty, Victory, lndepen-
dencc, and Plenty, each having appropriate
mottos inscribed in corresponding panncls.
The whole of the building is surmountcd by
an Entablature 80 feet from the pavement,
and supports flight of steps, in the centre,
upon which is placed the arms OF the city
executed III Il mastery manner, by Mr. sui
". On each side of tho arms arc placed the
statues Of Justice and Wisdom, with their
appropriate cmblcms, sculptured by MI.
Rush i'll his best manner. This truly impos-
ing and highly decorative work OF art, was
designed by MIR Strickland and executed
under his superintcndancc by Mcssrs. War
ren, Darlcy and Jefferson, scene pain
tcrs Of the New Theatre. The superficial
surface Of painted canvass amounts to up
wards of 5000 square feet.
After the General had been received by
the Commttc, he walked OH the covered way
prepared for him to the door OF the Hall OF In
the people rending the air with
acclumations. The Hall has been fitted up
in the most splendid manner. The Room is
40 feet square, the walls and ceiling painted
with stone colour, the windows hung with
scarlet and blue drapcry studded with stars.
III the east side stands a statue oftlle immort-
Is occupied by the Chair Of the Speaker of
the first Congress. Behind the statue there
is All azure star drapcry suspended from
spears and wrcaths. To the right and left
OF the statue hangs the Portraits Of William
Penn, Franklin and Robert Morris and Fran
els Hopkinson. The intermediate spaces are
filled with the Portraits of Greene, Wayne,
Montgomery, Hamilton, Gates, Rocham-
beau, Charles Carol, Of Carrolton, and Gov.
M'kean. Over the door Of entrance is plac-
ed the celebrated Portrait of Washington by
II. Pealc, relieved OH each side by crimson
and azure drapcry suspended from spears
and laurel wrcaths. On the right and left of
the entrance are placed the Portraits Of Jef-
ferson, Hancock, Adams, Madison, Monroe,
and the venerable Charles Thompson.-On
the north and south the windows are draped
to the floor with crimson and azure, the car
pet of similar colours, and the furniture Of
mahogany tastctully and appropriately dis
posed. The General was introduced into
the Hall 50 celebrated i'll our National An
mails, amidst the reiterated and redoublcd
pclls of JOY from the multitude. The Mayor
chen addressed him as follows e.
GENERAL,
The Citizens of Philadelphia welcome to
their homes, the patriot who has long been
dear to their hearts. Grateful at all times
for the enjoyment of free government, they
are, on this occasion, peculiarly anxious but
unable to express deep felt sentiment of
pure affection towards those venerable men
whose martial and civic virtues, under Proyi-
dcncc, have conferred upon themselves and
their descendants, this mighty blessing.
Forty y-ciyht years ago, III this city, and in
this hallowcd IIall, which may emphatically
be called the Birthplace of Independence, a
convention Of men, such as the world has
rarely seen, prc-eminent for talents and pa
triotism, solemnly declared their determine
tion to assume for themselves the right of
Self Government, and that they and their
posteritv should tilcncetorth assert their
Just rank among the nations of the earth
\ small, but cherished band of those who
breasted the storm and sustained principles
thus promulgated to the world still remain
In the front rank Of these worthless, His
tory will find, and we now delight to honour,
General FA FAYEFTE, whose whole life
has been devoted to the cause OF freedom and
to the support Of the unalicnable rights OF
mc!i.