Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-11-19
40tal anA Ytrs0naL.

goeal ann Ysrsonal.
The Cemetcry.-Of late, there have been many
beaulfulimproyemen in the various burial places
in this vicinity. Not few graves have been en-
closed with tasiefully iron ratings,
and elegant monuments erected in memory OF the
still loved but unconscious dead. During the
summer past, choice flowers bloomed round
fondy cherished tombs but those have persisted,
leaving alone the expressive evergreen, tho en-
blem OF eternity. M 1900.
Though there may often be an ostentaiious dis
play of deliberately dressed marble, much should
be pardoned 10 the promptngs Of affection. No
one possessed Of pecuniary means, whose heart
still CLOVIS with love for the departed, would con-
slider that he could rear a memorial sufficiently
worthy ofthe dust beneath its base.
The Congressional Cemetery is in better con-
dton than formerly but there is still occasion for
further attention to the grounds on the part of
those who are incorporated as the proprietors.
A few days since we noticed, while in that Gem
etery, that Mr.. Jacob Gideon has recently added
TO the lot where sleep the ashes of his wife, four
Italian marble statuetes about four feet and half
in height, representing Contemplation, Charity,
Hope, and Divine Love. These, with the monu-
mont, the iron enclosure, and other embellish-
ments, cost, we learn, $4,000.
The Fine Arts.-At present, there are many
Italians in the city, extensively engaged in the
manufacture and sale of plaster-ofparis orna-.
ments. They are hawked about the streets, and
find not a few purchasers. Housekeepers and
others are frequently asked, in the broken accent
of the vendors, TO buy Washington, Franklin,
Napoleon, or some olhefTd distinguished charac-
ter, either plain or bronzed and, beside, those
Italians have statuettes Of Cupid Venus, and such
like nudiiies, which they takeparticular pains 70
display to the citizens. or late, however, we
have heard complaints that the Italian artists lack
that essential Aartice in a genteel but unclassi-
cal communily-modesty; and il is said that
one Of them, the other day, was abruptly or
dered from dwelling house door because he
offered for sale Cupid to a sensitive lady, con-
sderably advanced beyond her teens! We pre-
sumo there must be some truth in this report and
that the son Of Italy has profted by the reproof;
for, we yesterday saw one Of the class of persons
of whom we are n,w speaking, carrying in his left
hand a small figure ofNapoleon, in boots and over
coat, while in the other be held Venus, thslat-
ter covered, in part, with green baize slip!
The Italian either desired, by this, to conform TO
the modesiy of the times, or meant, by tho extra
ordinary garment on the form of Venus, to reflect
gentle but quiet censure on the people for their
transportation Of classic taste
-
Washington National Monument The per-
sons employed in the collection of the customs,
in New Orleans, have made arrangements for sub
scribing, quarterly funds in aid Of the erection Of
the monument. They have already forwarded
money for this purpose Quite handsome
amount might be raised in the course of q year
if custom-house officers throughout the Union
would follow the example of their brethren of the
Crescent city"
The handsome block Of white marble, with an
appropriate inscription, prepared by order of the
Independent Fire Company of Cincinnati, has ar
rived in this city from New York, whore il was
exhibited in the Crystal Palace.
The monument is now exactly one hundred
and sixty-eight feet in height. On Monday the
workmen will commence another layer, 90 as 10
add two more feet to the structure before the
building season shall be over.
Chicken stcaiing.--Some time ago = lady
purchased in market her own chickens, which
had been stolen from her; and we believe that,
subsequently,, the thief was arrested and held TO
bail for his appearance at court. Yesterday morn
ing an old colorcd woman, named Lucy Paine,
was brought TO the watch-house, charged with
h.., = L. A. e L. Il
which were stolen from the premises of lady
living near the Congressional Cemetery, on Fri
day night. She recognized the fowls, and caused
them to be brought before Justice Birch. The
negro huckster said that she could prove she
bought them from white man at the Navy Yard.
The chickens were identified clearly. Owing TO
the absence OF witnesses for the Defense further
investigation into the case was postponed until
Tuesday; and Lucy was required TO give security
for her appearance on that day.
The Markets.-By comparison Of the prices
Of meats, poultry, vegetables, etc.. in the Balti-
more Lexington market, on Friday, with those
asked by the vendors Of such wares in the Centre
Market Of this city, yesterday, we find them TO be
just about the same. Heretofore, our neighbors
have been buying for considerably less than we
Of Washington. In some few articles only, pur-
chased in our market, we noticed slight reduc-
ton but this may have been produced by the
perishable character Of the articles or tho super
abundance Of them for sale.
Thanksgiving In AIexandria.--The mayor
of our nsighboring city has, in compliance with
the request Of the city councils issued his pro-
camstion setting apart Thursday, the o3d instant,
TO be observed as day OF thanksgiving ndpraise
II is brief and 10 the purpose. The best speci
men Of athe soul Of wit however, we have seen
anywhere, is the proclamation Of Governor Pow
oil, of Kentucky, which occupies only eight lines.
The Kunkei Nightingale Opera Troupe
will give their fret entertainment, at the National
Theatre, tomorrow evening. .ds * se,e