The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-06-29
Monsieur Ampere's Visit to Washington.
The Paris correspondent of the New York
Journal of Commercial in late letter saws:


Journal of Commerce, in late letter, says:
"The last published Promenade of M. Ampere,
the eminent French writer, consists chiefly of bis
visit to the city of Washington. II was merely
mentioned in my epistle of last week. Perhaps
something more of it may be acceptable to your
readers The accomplished and lively gentleman
entered Washington towards the end of Deem
Der, hen it's whole surface was covered with snow;
and the effect, as city perspective, was rather
dismal. The negroes presented contrast with
the general white pail. The Capitol pleased him;
so the statuary of Greenough He was agrecably
disappointed in the charac ter of the stngs Of the
Senate and the House of Representatives.; they
were lees unruly than he had been taught to ex
pect. When the Kossuth affair occasioned some
agitation on the floor and in the galleries of the
House of Representatives, he heard this remark
from American auditor: I'VE have a French
House to- day He observes, incidentally, that as
some parts of the Union not entirely civilized,
it is not surprising that some uncouth mortais are
deputed to Congress, such the mountains of
Corsica night elect for the French Legislative
Body He approves the one hour regulation for
oratory, and opines that ii would not be evil
Tor the Senate. He heard speeches of General
Foote, General Houston, and M. Douglas; the
fret as violent in unprovoked attack on the
second; the Texan Senator kept his temper, and
replied with good humor by piquant anecdote
short biographical sketch of General Houston is
given. Ampere dwes the nervous style and
promising capacity of Mr.. Douglas; Mr. Clay he
ca lis the Aristides of the Republic. He was ad :
miued to the floor of the House of Representatives
and member most politely gave up his seat to
the stranger, who apprehended only that he might
be counted among the ayes and noes.
Eight or ten pages of the Promenade are al
lotted to American politics and desinies The
distinctions of Federasts and Republicans, Demo
Gratis and Federal Repubcans-W hgs and Demo
crats-are historically traced, and the several Pre-
sidents passed in review. NJ. Ampere character
ICES each; he undertakes Mr. Polk, and rather
overrates Mr.. Fillmore. Harrison and Taylor
not duly qualified, and therefore more or less
of automaons. Since General Jackson, no Presi-
dent has been a psrsonags. After the majestic
figure of Washington, but far below, stands out
figure ra Their wild but yet greai-the original, en-
ergetic Jackson America, NJ. Ampere fears, is
growing exiravagant; the young Democracy thirst
Tor territorial expansion and conquest, and the
rectfcation management of European affairs.
This new passion for aggrandizement conflicts
with the Democratic doctrine Of State sovereignty,
since every accession of territory and population
tends to augment the power of the General Gov
eminent The traveller could discover no real
animosty between the political parties, except on
the topic of negro slavery. He quotes Charming
copiou.ly. Kossuth arrived At Washington during
his sojourn The Hungarian hero partly
shorn of his beams. He had dwinded. The man
at w ashingto was not the same the French spec
tator had contemplated at New York in his fret
triumphs and haraugues. They met Mt the dinner
table of President Fillmore; and Webster, Cass,
Scott, and Seward were Of the company. Nothing
was said of Hungarian wrongs or Austrian des
potism. kossuth seemed out of his element He
restricted in his talk to history and languages
in general. His black velvet mantle gave him a
theatrical air He excited no enthusiasm The
FIVE rival candidates for the Presidentshp chatted
with each other in the most familiar and annie BILE
way.
m. Ampere was present also at the New Years
reception at the White House. II had been told
that the crowd was usually rude and grotesque:
singular feats of vul garity were related TO him.
He remained an hour and witnessed no grossness-
no indecorum whatever. On his exit, indeed, he
was robbed of hs purse, and he cautions, accord
iugly, all foreign guests such occasions. He
describes the Smithsonian Institution in detail and
contests Mr.. Ovens theory of American Repubh
can Architecture. He pays earnest triblte to
Professor Henry and his scientific merits W.
Ampere's celebrated father first suggested the ap
pication of electro gnetsm to the tran smission
of intelligence to great distances; testified Pro
fessor Henry in the Morse Patent case before the
courts. The traveller surveyed the Patent Office;
the contents, however curious, are not we'll ar
ran0d nor suitably displayed. The Observatory
grarSsd him exceedingly; he dwels on Locke's
electrical clock, and Lieutenant Maury's most
sagacious and laudab bic Photographed studies and
performances. He quotes Humboldt's lofty opin
ion of them-adding, These maritime charts must
be deemed one Of the noblest and most US efu re
suits of nautical science He particularly in
spected the establishment over which Professor
Bache presides with indefatigable seduousness and
profound knowledge. He celebrates the excellence
Of the charts and the general value of the Coast
Survey. The Smithsonian Institution n says
the operations of the Observatory, and the other es-
adjustment, the labors Of Maury and Bache-con
stitute ensemble Of scientific activity of i'm
portance, and even grandeur. They must be held
Of large account in any impartial estimate OF
American cultvation.'''