The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1837-03-20

From the appropriations made Dy Congress- during
the last session. TO ornament the Capitol with addl-
tonal paintings and statuary, one would suppose that
the members had been suddenly smltten with love
of the fine arts The four vacant panels OF the grand
Romnda have been ordered TO De occup ea WIN ,he
productions of the most distinguished artists OF this
country and the designs, which are 10 De HISTORICAL
are left believe to the genius and taste Oh hose VINO
NAV be selected to execute them Vanderlyh has been
chosen to fill one OF the panels, ana nave no aoupt
he will do credit himself as well as 10 me arl OF
which he is so distinguished a master. design III
crayon on very large scale by some nalive arust
with whose name / am unacquainted, has, Tor some
weeks past been placed in one OF these panels when
is both spirited and original 1t is intended TO repre-
sent the discovery of America by Columbus Inc
prominent figure is the great dscoverer standing near
the mast of the vessel which he commanded, erecl
calm, and dgnifed, looking toward the object OF an
his tolls and apparently exultlng in the consummaton
of his long INDUCED and ardent ASPIRATIONS he crew
are grouped in different parts OF the deck, some en-
ployed in nautical occupations, put sun eager
ly gazing towards the land-and others bowlng down
in the attitude Of alteration at the feet OF the great
man whom they had previously determined 10 put 10
death. The composltlonl IS admirable ana the Design
more original than any have ever seen. Perslco,
the Italian artist, who executed not long since, the
two fine colossal statues of Peace and War, which
ornament the eastern portico OF the capitol, has been
employed to execute two statues to be placed
on the sides of the grand staircase. have seen the
model of one Of these figures, which is very fine. IL
is the figure of Columbus, standing in bold and fear
less attitude with globe resting on one hand and
the word AMERICA engraved on it. and with the other
pointing to heaven The figure fan Indian is stand
ing the rear, in attitude of wonder and admlra-
ton The group finely conceived and very express
sve The execution will doubt not equal the design.
The capitol will soon, as II ought be rlCy ornament
ed with the finest specimens of the arts and be re-
sorted TO by the architect, painter and sculptor for
models in their respective branches of the art
SO much for the fine arts-now for the fashion.
The beau monde seemed DESTROYS to close the sea-
son with as mach brliancy as possible The lady Of
IL. af Al. Of ~ tad StafAc
gave soirfe last week-but not many attended. 1t
was her second this winter. Pontiac doomed as large
as life, and could not resist his propensity TO tnp
on the light fantastic toe" The General toe was how
ever 1T all fantastic he sometimes learns by
casonal witches that not in the least fanclful,
and his motion was more OF a schuffie than TRIP
Bat he is exceedingly gallant and equally graceful in
the ball room and the field. He is neither sluggard
in love nor aggard war; but still prefers the sound
of a ady's lutte to the music Of the drum THE Gene
raj has also been smtten with literary AMBITION ard
has produced tragleo. comco- melo- dramatic produc
ion which was brought out on the boards WASH
ingtOn theatre not long ago played once and damned
by general consent. He has since tried his hand on
system eff military tactics which, it is thought, will
countsrbalance his dramatic failure Mrs. NJ loves
fashionable life but goes TO church regularly She is
the daughter Of an old clergyman who lectured to
congregation in Georgetown, for many years. but
who is now no more Under the dropplngs of hrs
sanctuary she grew up and of coursc sl retains her
early lmpressons-she was once beautiful and lively
Mrs NJ. IS commodieus and well suited for the par.
ties where the numbers are not great. She gives and
goes 10 soirfes but to balls having religious
scruplcs on that head.
was standing near two elderly ladies at this party
whose conversation amused me- Mrs. M. g parties,
said one who wore a cap ornament with artificial
flowers, while she slipped glass of lemonade, /" are
generally very select-yeu see none here but the
elite"
"And yet" remarked the other, "the exclusives
absent"
"Oh! you mean Mrs. T and Mrs. Yes
the former only attends the theatre and gives p tit
soupiss 10 distinguished stars; and the latter con-
nes hersclft0 foreigners of rank, whose society she
prefers to that Of her countrymen, unless they are
distinguished Tor something. Bat our hostess seems
10 like the old more than the young, her circle of
acquaintance among che latter is not very extensive.
The girls you observe have scarcely any other part
than married mem officers Of the array and navy,
members of Congress, &c"
But there two now dancing" replied her CON-
panon, who are unmarried; captain IN the army,
md captain in the navy"
"What, he with a narrow face and beautiful
long nose 10, it--so very agile in his motion p
Yes but that is what the entymologlsts would
call his feeer, which he throws out with some skill,
and which he uses instead Of his eyes. He has been
called stout porter because he carries n trunk of
negative always preferring nose (nees)
TO eyes (ayes) The other is captain -, Of the navy,
an officer of great merit, but now passs- fear he
will never be married"
Because he is too fond of changing MS name.
He acquired reput under the zone he formerly
possessed and wishing 10 get title took another,
but has failed. He travelled lately in Great Britain,
N company with Reverend, who chamted his
praises wherever they went and prevailed upon the
gallant captain to pepetrate some verses under the
name Of poetry, which will not add to his literary
honOrs.
" Bu, were you at the Inauguration ball last Satur-
iayP'
IL was, and was much pleased, as 1cll as some
what disappointed"
"How7'
"Why, il was very agreeable, bat not quite so
splendid as / had expected. Among the married la
lies, Mrs. b. was the most magnihccntly attired.
She in her ,urban an aigrette, which is said TO
nave cost ten thousand dollars. Mrs. 80 the wife of
-, was however, dressed with more taste than any
other lady in the room-it was q proper mixture of
simplicity and elegance which off her person TO
great advantage The other elderly ladies seemed TO
have acquired passion for birds Of PARADISE and do
you know that begin TO detest that ornament of the
head, 1t is getting vulgar. amused to see the
meeting between Mrs. W. and Mrs. ID. As they
moved their heads, the tails Of these birds came in
contact and bobbed about like cork in the water
on The line Of angler Among the oddities was a
widow from Annapolis, who wishes TO be fashionable
She was literally covered with tnsel which she called
ewelry and loaded with fnery in the worst possible
taste. Her broad face was exceedingly common
place, and neither paint tnsel could set il off,
Amsns the unmarried ladies was struck with a