Washington sentinel., 1855-02-17
TotaI anO DfrsonaI.
Things at the FaIr.-Among lhe thousands

Things at the Fair.--Among the thousands
ofobjects on exhibition in the fair Of the Metro
politan Mechanics Institute is a small basket, al
the stand in the centre ofthe picture gallery, con
tanning articles the handiwork Of pupils of the
| Illinois institute Cor the education of the blind
These consist, in part, of brushes, and bead and
net work. credilable TO the skill Of the unfortunate
ones, who, their eyes always closed in darkness
produced them.
The Republican Quilt, with It's representation
of eagles and starry banners, was deposited by
Mrs. l.. b. Fowler, of Baltimore, We learn Who
ever made il has displayed not only much industry
but patriotic taste. While II is distinguished
mark Of respect 10 wrap the warrior in the flag
which he died TO defend, the privileged living,
who has not barred the breast 10 lhe the foe, may
sweelly repose under the republican article Of
domestic comfort.
II is not over-pleasant 10 edge through the
dense crowds which ihrong the fair-room. Espe-
ciay is this the case with the ladies whose trails
happen 10 be halt yard too long But the squeez-
ing process is rendered tolerable by the sounds
OF music the variety Of faces, and the recognition
Of acquantances, and the greeting OF friends, and
other reefs.
We have repeatedly noticed, when, perhaps, il
was not our business 10 look, parties oftwo each,
male and female, "relired' in the lecture room,
either resting merely from the fagues Of the pro-
menade, or Withdrawn for the purpose of private
conversation. Pending the fair, cannot the direc-
tory of the Smithsonian Institution employ the
| services of lecturer TO interest madens, bache-
lors, widows, and widowers, on the not unimpor-
s,bia IF Tnu rbis xyoulA
doubtless prove an interesting feature OF the enter
tainment. Perhaps the. gallant Superintendent Of
The Fair would consent to perform the service.
PowelI,s Historical Picture of the Discov-
cry of the Mississippi, by De Soto, A. D., l54l
now fills panel OF the ro,undo of the Capitol
Yesterday morning il was displayed, for The first
time in this city, TO the public gaze During the
day, hundreds Of persons not only examined, but
expressed their admiration Of this truly beautiful
and imposing work Of art
AS was said by the National hlteiigsneey in
December 1853, "ihe artist has neglected no.
thing; the costume and armor Of the times the
manners of savage life, contrasted with those cf
civilization; the magnifcence and pride of the
Spanish mobiles the luxuriant vegetation of prim-
eval forests; the sublimity of the great inland sea
Of the Mississippi, have all been transferred with
a mastery hand 10 the canvass. Where the
faithful delineaiion OF fac, and nature would not
suffice the artist has avaed himself Of symbol
cal represeniion. To this we owe the successful
rendering on the canvass ofthe great ideas OF The
submission Of the Indian tribes; and the import
ant part played by religion, allied with force, IN
the conquest of the New World
There now eight historical paintings in the
rotundo Of The Capitol, which, IN the order Of
time, may be rearranged as follows |. The land.
ing of Columbus, which must be considered as
the first grand incident in our national history;
g. The Discovery Of the Mississippi by De Soto;
g. The Baptism of Pocahontas; 4. The embar.
cation of the Pilgrims at Delft Haven; s. The
declaration of independence; 6. The capitulaiion
at Saratoga; 7. The Capitulation at Yorktown;
and, s. Washington resigning his commission at
Annapolis, Maryland.
The first four pictures were painted, respec-
lively, by vanderlyn, Powell, Chapman, and Weir,
each Of whom received ten thousand dollars. The
others were panied by General Trumbull, who
received thirty thousand dollars for them.
Mr.. VIM. II. Powell is a native Of New York, is
about thiry-fve years of age, and was favorite
pupil Of the late Mr.. Inman.