North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1851-10-22

| INTERESTING DISCOVERY. Ii Will De seen Oy IN
following intelligence communicated from Rome, Q
the 25;h August last, by a correspondent of New
l York paper that our Minister at that Court, Maio
Cass has been instrumental in the discovery and res
toration of long-lost and invaluable reilc-an orig
nal portrait of the immortal discoverer OF America
Columbus. The authenticity of the painting is prov
ed by undeniable vouchers on the spot, and Maj.
will undoubtedly forward this inestimable work o
AIT to the United States at early day. 1t shoui'
have permanent place among the nations arcnlVe
in the Capital at Washington.
" Mr.. Cass, the United States Minister while Ira
yelling long since in the Abruzz mountains wa
attack ed with fever at little hamlet near VIM.
stands convent OF the Passlonists lie was Ie:e'.
ed into this convent, and remained there some ule
The monks showed him their collection OF nnanus
criPts and paintings, among which was the PII'u
In question. 1t was purchased oy @ retnTned from
inspecting it, and certainly the historical interest,"
tached to it renders it one OF the most interesting "
jects have ever seen. To an American 1t IS price
less-of inestimaole value. The palnting Is idIse
size about four by three-and represents scene
at the pc1t Palos, in Spain. At the very edge OF
the water is erected temporary canopy composer "
sails, supported by oarbades, under whlcn priest
is standing before pris dieu, with lighted candies
before him, celebrating mass. Conspicuous In Inc
foreground, richly apparalled, with rapler by MS
side, and Plumed hat in his hand. appears Coium-
bus, kneeling upon one knee; while to the right;
kneeling upon both knees, in attitude OF profound
devotion are be three four officers OF lnfe-
ror degree, together with other mariners Scattered
in the back ground several Indians, natives OF the
newly discovered Islands, one of whom is holding
large hound, while others are bound with manaces.
In the ong, riding at her anchor, with the flag OF
Spain flying from her masthead appears ship, the
sight of which would throw Baltimore clipper into
fits The lofty, castellated, and elaborated carved
stern, and the still lofty and deliberately carved
lamp suspended above it, give US an idea of naval
architecture in the fifteenth century. Her decks are
crowded with sailors, and boats passing between
the ship and shore.
sThe following is the history of this interesting
picture which transcribed almost Eteratin from the
old manuscript attached to the frame. 1t was painted
by order of the Convent La Prabids, at Palos, in
I493 Immediately after the event it commentaries.
In 1879, several of the monks belonging to this con
vent together with much of the property possessed
transferred TO Viterbo in the Papal States. From
Viterbo the new convent removed in 1862 to the vi
cinity of Aquba, in the Abruzz mountains, where
subsequently merged in that of the Passionists,
previously existing on the same spot.
The authorities of Rome, am told, have offere
Mr.. Cass large for the painting, which he ha
refused. AS their proceedings rather summary
in the matter of the fire arts, by virtue of prohibit
tory law which prohibits the expectation of originals
l was glad to learn that this picture would be sen
out of Rome in few hours. There is only place
fit for it, it should hang in the Capitol. "
Mr.. CALHouN's Book. We have been prevented
by numerous engagements the past week, from exam
lining the work of Mr.. Calhoun on government, which
has just appeared. And have not yet had time to
render it any sort of ustice-for that would require
much reflection and study. We think, however, we
may safely pronounce it the greatest work govern
ment that has ever appeared, not even excepting
Montesque.
We presume there is hardly a modern reader who
will not confess that, looking into the productions
on this subject of Plato, Aristotle and Xenophon,
of Sir Thomas Moore, and Locke, he has been dis
appointed. AS for Benthen and Fourier, they
extravagant and grotesque to be admitted into the
comparison. They have all the excuses of Rosseau,
without his sentiment or poetry. And when we look
A1Ao
struck with their want of precision and foresight
Government had not, in fact, risen to the dignity of
science. And the best that could be done by the
student in politics, was to consult the leading public
acts which form the skeleton of the British consttu
tion and then to examine the federal and State con-
sttuons of this country. The maxims and essays
of Bacon and Boingbroke, the speeches of Fox,
Sheridan, Burke and Brougham, in England, and
those of Randolph, Crawford, Clay, Webster, and
Calhoun, in this country, together with the writings
and messages of Jefferson and Madison, afforded
many passages on the nature of government, which
added greatly TO the materials of science. But Mr..
Calhoun has done more to make government science
than all his predecessors. He has given to moral
almost the precision and certainty of math-
ematicals. And he has combined in his work con-
sheraton of almost every principle of government
which history has developed. He has stated these
principles in language of unequaed brevty and clear
has classified them with more than the dis
of Cuvier, and his deductions follow
with the ease drectness, and force of gravitaton.
we cannot now begin to describe his system. And,
In fact it is difficult to select passage from his
book more important than another extrac: one from
the rest, where all but links in a mighty cable of
demonstration. But those who want to see the con-
stitution which Mr.. Calhoun was reported to have
prepared for the Southern States after their secession
will find it in the very beginning of the book-the
tisquisition on government. We think, in this, he
has furnished constitutions for all free States in future
We shall frequently to this work in future.
.Southern Press.
VIRGINIA AND CAROLINA CANNON. The Wing
papers of Virginia, in advocating the political claims
Of Mr.. Bolts. assert that South-C Carolina is casting
cannon. To disparage the chances and claims of MI