Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1855-10-17


tiful and striking marbles of the Old World
have been collected here. We noticed, yes
terday, verd antique from Vermont and
red-mottled marble from Tennessee, which
were very fine specimens indeed; the Yer
mont stone being capable OF receiving
higher polish than any other known marble.
The most remarkable specimen, however, is
a newly discovered marble, from Frederick
county, Md, within some ninety miles of this
city, the existence of which would probably
not have been known to the world to this day,
but for the advertisement to which we refer
above. 1t is stone of very fine grain, with
pure white ground, on which, in rich profu-
sion, are spread brown, purple, yellow, and
bright red clouds. The effect of its combina-
ton of colors must be seen to be realized. We
believe that nothing like it has yet been de-
scribed in works on architecture or art. 1t is
not yet known whether any considerable guam
tity of it can be obtained-sven enough to
supply the limited quantity that can be used
in this building. We regard the experiment;
of the Department in the matter of inducing
our fellow citizens to search out and make
known the treasures Of each section of the
United States Of the particular kind, as being
highly successful; as it has received valuable
specimens, indeed, from great many States
situated in all sections of the country. Their
collection in the Capitol building, where they
will be appropriately used in ornamental
work, will serve to give the world very coed
idea of the capabilities of our country in
not otherwise be done, as none in America but
the Government can construct an edifce en-
such scale, and in such style as will ad-
NIT of the display to which we refer.
Roped int seems, by the last news from
Central America, that Col. Kinney has man
aged to innoculate still another government
functionary with his ideas of the fitness Of
things. We mean Mr.. F. F. Mason, the Amer
lean, who succeeded Mr.. Fabens rs commercial
agent at San Juan del Norte. That gentle
man publishes in Kinney's organ long state
paper" assuming to acknowledge the proprie-
ty and legality of all KS acts out there, on
behalf of the United States Government, with
whom, he incidentally states, however, he has
held no communication on the subject. He
has evidently become a party to Kinney's
schemes, and had prepared to give up his posi-
ton under the Government to participate in
them. The cream of the affair, however, is
the GOODNESS with which Kinney's newspaper
heralds Mr.. Mason's abandonment of his trust
to turn fllibuster, as formal acknowled gment
Of the Government of the United States of the
legality of K. authority in Central America;
which, by the by, has been quickly seconded
by the papers in this country VIGOROUSLY in
the interest Of his speculation. It is know
that Mr.. Mason's dismissal from the service
of the Government went with his successor,
Mr.. Cottrell, it not being precisely comms
IL fact for " commercial agents. to official y
acknowledge" the existence Of governments on
behalf of the United States, even without
awaiting instructions from the authorities here
in the premises.
Baseball the newspaper stories represent
ing that there is tempest in a teapot here
over the alleged attendance Of. the Hon. Jol n
Y. Mason, U. S. Minister to France at the
Is Dsum not long since sung in Paris in
honor of the fall Of the south portion of Sebas-
tepol, are mere notwithstanding more
We have refrained from noticing them up to
this time, because we really did not believe any
sensible persons so green as to be imposed
on by stories SO evidently bearing on their face
the fact that they were surmises, stated simply
for want of facts Of interest on which to write
a paragraph or letter. It is very clear to
Us that the Government never conceived the
subject worthy of second thought; the regu-
lation of the personal movements or visits of
its diplomatic agents being no part of the
American system of diplomacy. The stories
having obtained consequence in measure
through the comments of the Union on the
fact that Mr.. Mason did attend the celsbra-
ton, it is but right that we should say that, in
this city, that journals comments in question
were translated simply to be the views of its
editor.
The Winchester Convention.-We under.
stand from friend in this city, whose mind is
commercially awakened to the Importance of
the construction of the Alexandria, Loudon
and Hampshire Railroad to the future of Lou
don, the Valley, and the great Virginia coal
and mineral region, that the recent conven-
ton at Winchester was eminently successful
in the way Of making it plain that the prop
erty holders of the region to be Immediately
benefited by the construction of this import
ant work are keenly alive to their true inter.
ests as involved init. Great enthusiasm upon
the subject was manifested, and means were
taken to insure that all shall promptly place
their shoulders to the wheel. May success at
tend their efforts.
Convicted Of Fcrgsry.-Ralph Scott, of
Bledsoe county, Tenn, has been convicted of
forging bounty land papers, and was, on Sat-
urday last sentenced tn Nh ron vaars ;n,or;sor