The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-02-12
Nem Fort Correspondence.
LETTER XVII.

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-ncludng the actors IN the
tableaux and the musicians. The scene painters are
at work, and the artists rehearsing for the Ia
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 il is right it should be so. 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 1t
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 witha
superative supper.
A bal costume is to come off this evening, in
Broadway of which will give you full details hereaf
ter, Dresses Of extraordinary magnfcence are IN
preparation; and none but the wealthy con-
cerncd 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 drectresses selected from those
who have resided in Paris; and it WILL therefore, be
probably got up after an European model
! We are likely, at last, to have a monument to
! Washington in this city. 1t will be statue of coos-
sal sze--executed by Stout. Such, at least is the
ON dill. A committee of the Common Council waited
| upon the artist and informed him that they would
give him ten or twenty thousand dollars towards it,
and that perhaps they would ultimately give more,
but that he must rely upon the berality of the ct
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; that there is
little doubt that shall have the statue. The ar
fist is sanguine Of throwing that Of Grenough en-
trely in the shade and it is probable that he will
cute work which will show to much better adyan-
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 a Rotundo
to conceal its beauties and therefore, will have a
chance, even if not superior to Grenoughs, to show
much better.
! A great change has come the people of this
city, within the last ten years, in all matters of Taste,
of .4 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 Engrayers. In Literature, are crowded
with authors and scientific men are rushing in upon
us like flood The effect produced by the Archi-
tccts is evident at every step we lakeland that of
the Artists is visible in the splendid paintings and
statuary which has now become fashionable to use
in the adomment Of the saloons and drawing rooms.
In domestic economy the change, as | said, is still
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 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 coachman, footman, lacquey and dozen
more in laced coats. Imperial Wilton takes the place
of Kiddermnser and velvet couches that of chairs
or n,olu candeiabra 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 or
book case But this is doubtless all CONNIE tat. 1t
is in accordance with the spirit of the age. Every
thing is onward-and the march of luxury not like
| " soon to be arrested.
In the time of the electioneering for Harrison as
| President, there various modes made of to
throw the incumbent, Van Buren,, into dsrepute with
the Democracy, and nothing was crowned with more
complete than the speech of Mr.. Ogle upon
| the extravaganza of the Punishment of the White
House The honest Pennsy lyanians who had supposed
the Democratic President as plain an individual as
themselves, were very much astonished at the picture
drawn by their Representative OF his outrageous ex-
ravagance, 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 magniticence of hun
dreds of the houses of our Weather citizens
The auhoress, Mrs. INN S. Stephens will soon be
among you to remain during the session. The prma-
~ object other trip is probably to enjoy herself but
she has secondary motive, it is to write novel and
Law the scene there So treat her wells exc she may
rap you over the knuckles. Mrs. Stephens is quite
young, and is considered handsome-she certainly is
So if regular features and wildly intellectual ex-
! 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 superior among her sex in all that consti-
tes literary greatness.
I DR.. Lardner holds forth at the Park Theatre to
night, and the tickets are already sold.
Yours HrDsoN.
Let her come--we wil-Ep
A HIGHWAY ROBBER SHOT
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