The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-02-12
Nem Fork Correspondence.
LETTER XVII.

Inc Topic Oh HVelleSt interest conunueS 10 DC inc
Dickens ball, at the Park Theatre, on Valentines
day The tickets are already all sold and high
prices offered for more. There will be present some
four thousand persons-including the actors in the
tableaux and the musicians. The scene painters are
at work, and the artists rehearsing for the la
bleaux. 1t will be most splendid affair. Two din
ners are on foot to be given hm-one of which will
occur on the 18th inst Truly literature is in the as
cendant; and it is right it should be Men have
worshipped military glory in every age of the world
almost to the exclusion of every thing else. Intel
lect now seems gradually taking its stand where it
should be, at the head-as the ruling power.
The season continues the gayest of the gay. There
is to be private party of five hundred at the City
Hotel, this evening, where they will amuse them
selves with variety of dancing, and conclude with
superlative supper.
A bal costume is to off this evening, in
Broadway of which will give you full details hereaf
ter. Dresses of extraordinary magnfcence are IN
preparation; and but the wealthy con-
cerned in it, they have determined that it shall surpass
every thing of the kind attempted in this coun
try before, and that without making any noise about
it, The lady directresses are selected from those
probably got up after an European model
We likely, at last, to have monument to
Washington in this city. 1t will be statue of colos
sal size-executed by Stout Such, at least, is the
dit. A committee of the Common Council waited
upon the artist and informed him that they would
give him ten twenty thousand dollars towards it,
and that perhaps they would ultimately give more,
but that he must rely upon the liberaty of the cti
zens for the residue. Mr.. Stout, it is said accepted
the terms, and expressed his intention to commence
the work Immediately. One munlfcent individual
has offered to give five thousand towards paying
for it when it shall be completed so that there is
little doubt that we shall have the statue The ar
fist is sanguine of throwing that of Grenough
tirey in the shade, and it is probable that he will exc
| cute work which will show to much better advan-
tage. 1t is to stand in the Park, and will be placed
on high pedestal, to be distinctly seen from
Broadway. 1t will not have the shade of Rotundo
to conceal its beauties and, therefore, will have a
chance, if not superior to Grenoughs, to show
much better.
| A great change has come over the people of this
city, within the last ten years. in all matters of Taste,
of .4rt and of Literature and Science and still greater
change in domestic economy. In the Arts-every
! thing has been done. We number here large
| number of eminent Painters and Sculptors, Archi-
tects and Engravers. In Literature, are crowded
with authors, and scientific men are rushing in upon
us like food The effect produced by the Archi-
tects is evident at every step lakeland that of
the Artists is visible in the splendid paintings and
statuary which it has become fashionable to use
in the adornment of the saloons and drawing rooms
l.. IL. -I.u
greater. Houses furnished in style unheard of
in this country twenty years ago. More money be-
ing expended frequently in the furniture of the draw
ing rooms than it used to require to pay for the lot
build the house and furnish it beautifully. Now too,
the domestic servants must be put in livery. There
must be coachmap, footman, lacquey and dozen
in laced coats Imperial Wilton takes the place
of Kdderminster-a velvet couches that of chairs
molu candelabra that Of lamps; large paintings
by great artists take the place of the engraved heads
of Washington, and marble Venuses and Apollos fill
the inches formerly occupied by the family clock
book case. But this is doubtless all CONNIE fau. 1t
is in accordance with the spirit of the age. Every
thing is onward-and the march Of luxury not like
ly soon to be arrested.
In the time of the eectioneering for Harrison as
President, there were various modes made use of to
throw the incumbent, Van Buren,, into disrepute with
the Democracy, and nothing was crowned with more
complete success than the speech of MIR. Ogle upon
the extravaganza Of the Punishment of the White
House. The honest Pennsylvanans who had supposed
the Democratic President plain an individual as
themselves very much astonshed at the picture
drawn, by their Representative, of his outrageous ex
travagance and forthwith resolved to vote for man
who was not too proud to live in log cabin, and
drink hard cider This very well for political
efect-but if every word that Mr.. Ogle said of the
luxury of the Presidential Mansion strictly
true, and do not doubt it, his description would not
come up to the splendor and magnifcence of hun
dreds of the houses of our weather. citizens.
The authoress, Mrs. .4nn S. Stephens, will soon be
among you to remain during the session. The prma-
ry object of her trip probably to enjoy herself but
she has secondary motive it is to write novel and
lay the scene there So treat her wel~ else she may
rar ,-.. Knuckles. Mrs. Stephens is quite |
young and is considered handsome-she certainly is |
so, if regular features and wildly intellectual
preston of countenance can make her In mascu-
line energy of mind she stands first among the female
authors of this country, and at distant day she will
know no superior among her sex in all that const-
tutes literary greatness.
DR.. Lardner holds forth at the Park Theatre to
night, and the tickets are already sold.
Yours, HUDsoN.
sI.et her conceive will.--ED.