Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-10-25
Mr.. Coneland,s Painting.

Next week we expect to be able to publish
the Premiums, &c. awarded by the Committees.
Mr.. Copeland's Painting.
Among the many useful and beautiful pro-
ducts of nature and art in Floral Hall, we
saw nothing which impressed us more than
the painting by Copeland. Though some
what hastily executed, it is his best piece,
and cannot fail to add to his reputation. We
learn that he contemplates havingit engraved,
so that every one who wishes can obtain a
copy of it.
We append below the artists descrip-
ton of this North Carolina painting, North
Carolina in design, in subject, and painted
by a native North Carolinian, now a resident
Of this city. Mr.. o. P. Copeland deserves
credit for this exhibition of his genius and
skill in welding his brush, and we trust he
will meet with such encouragement from
North Carolinians as his efforts entitle him
to.
The picture of "OLD RIP VAN WINKLE
WIDE AWAKE" is designed in part to repre-
sent an event of the highest interest in the
recent history of North Carolina, and as a
whole to show that she is not the laggard,
the sleepy Old Rip, that she has been repre-
sented to be; but that she is really wide a
wake and marching forward with rapid
strides in all the various improvements of
the age.
The painting is a combination of the real
and ideal accordingly we see in the fore.
grounds embracing nearly one-half of the
c%anvass) an allegorical design, in which
GENIUS is represented directed by VIRTUE
waking Old Rip from his long nap. In her
right hand she holds the symbol of her pow
err, a pen, with which she is supposed to have
aroused the old sleeper at her feet, and
brought him to a STATE OF SOBER, DEEP RE-
Election. Well pleased with her efforts
thus far, she archly turns to VIRTUE (the
lovely female figure at her rightI for further
direction, who smiling sweetly, simply
points to heaven, as the proper source from
whence all guidance should be sought. In
her left hand she holds a blank scroll upon
which she stands prepared to record her flu
ture triumphs. The moral intended to be
taught here is, that without education, direct
ed By religion, no State or people can be truly
great and happy.
At the lower part of the canvass we see a
river, n landing, and specimens of the chief
productions of the State wheat, corn, rice,
cotton, tobacco, tar, t%urpentine, lumber and
mineral ores. Specimens of the growth OF
the State also, as swamp lands, pine forests,
/ MOUNTAIN SCbutINN WCsg wv "a 0NSA
hauling shingles from the swamps for trans
portation, and wagons in the distance, ap-
preaching from the ~turpentine region, loaded
with the abundant extracts of those extern.
sive forests. One large canal boat, deeply
laden with shad, behring's, corn and other
commodities, just moving off under the dlrec'
ton of her proprietor, and another at the
wharf, being loaded with shingles, is design
ed to show that we have an abundance fol
J home consumption, and { some to spare tt
) Cesar
Leaving this portion of the picture nov
and turning to ~thelmain centre of the canvass
I we behold a representation Imperfect indeed
} in comparison to the reality, of one of the
most sublime and pleasing spectacles ever pre-
sented in the Old North State This por
D ton of the picture explains itself. 1t may b.
necessary to remark, however, that the potn
. of time selected is when the orator ofthe day
l (the Hon. Kenneth Rayner,) is addressing
r the vast audience who have assembled from
every portion of the State and from othe
States also, to witness the great erhtbitton.-
: The audience are deeply interested in thu
: eloquent remarks of the distinguished spea
Q ker~ occupying the stand, with whom are sew
eral of the chief officers of the State Agricul
raj Society. In front and at the left of tn
T. speaker we observe in gay uniform, a BAN
of musicians. And mOunted on horseback
for the preservation of good order, are sevt
a raj of the marshals Of the day. In front an
around Mechanics and Farmers Halls al
many plain old farmers, mechanics and other
h engaged in social confab, discussing tn
merits of the various implements of husbal
IT dry brought for exhibition. Some are see
also in the back grounds, near the cattle-stall
ID looking at the fine blooded stock.
a. In front Of Reception Hall near the entranC
90 cate we see mounted upon splendid charger
r. the Chief Marshal, Colonel Humphreys,
Of Onslow, and one of his assistants also at Il
door. with bookand p~encilin hand, the worth
ct treasurer of the Society, j. +. Hutchins, ESQ
r. of Raleigh. Visitors are seen entering Il
in cate and others coming on to see the show
So a general shaking of hands and friend
er greetings seen throughout the crowd IS q
IT. siqned to illustrate the kind, social qualtl
of for which the people of North Carolina are
ee Justly distinguished. Beyond the Fair Groun
the sCitv of Oaks is seen peeping throu.
ur the trees, showing a portion OF the magn
cont State House, the Deaf and Duntb a
ly tba fanatic Asylums, and other buildings.
Bevond the city, the Central Railroad, thres
ed with the Telegraph, is seen passingthrou
nd the State and crossing a beautiful river, viii
DR. winds its way along through fields of wh'
,se and corn, until its waters empty into the
of bemarle Sound, upon the opposite shores
- which are two large shad and herring fl
ry cries. .
Between the Albemarle and Pamlico Sour
al. "a Roanoke Island, memorable for being
ne first point settled in North Carolina. Up
no. the waters of the Sounds are steamboa
40 sbips and other coastig vessels, and in
VS. distance, far upon the blue atlantic oa
of NAV be seen, among other ships, one la
ne. and beautiful frigate of the q. S. service.
ty, To complete the picture the clouds
breaking away, the sky is clearing of {
by from the east there streams a food Of mel
the Ioht to indicate that heaven smiles upon as.