The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1855-08-31

South Carolina and themselves have con-
tinued to maintain.--- Charleston News.
Ancient and Modern Homes.
The Romans walked on mosaic floors
but they were hard and cold The palace
halls Of Queen Elizabeth were strewn with
straw and rushcs; but we, Of this western
world over landscapes, designed by the &C.
MUS Of Claude Lorainc-thus bringing to
our very feet in the luxurious tread of the
parlor, all the images Of beauty which once
adorned the walls of Italian palaces, and
which are now sought for with eagerness,
and looked upon with veneration
The progress of art and taste is electric
, III our age, and inventions for multiplying
whatever exaIls or embellishes civilized life,
outstrip tho widest imagination. We were
torcbly struck with this thought the other
day as we glanced rapidly through the great
carpet establishment of Doughty and Broth
er, 23l Brolway. There is always much
| that is suggestive and striking in superb
collection OF rich fabrics gathered from every
part Of the world, and thrown open to the
eye Of taste on our fashionable Boulevard;
and every season brings its new attractions
into Broadway.
But at no former period have we witness
cd more marked progress in any department,
| than we find this spring in the new style of
carpets, and every species Of covering with
which W.; clothe the halls and floors of our
dwellings. There we notice luxurious
Mosaic rug, which seems an exact counter
part of one of the finest pictures of the old
masters. From short distance the sky is
as b!ue-the clouds as golden--tho water
as limpid-the tree shadows fall as mirror
like upon its CLASSY bosom-ihe herds are
as lazily wandering over the mcadows-the
mountains rise rs dark mt the base, ;,s purple
up the sides, and as golden on their tops, rs
ever the finest imagination pictured. At
the farther end Of the stately hall of Doughty
and Brother, (Which, for commerce sake, we
must call a sales room.) is suspended some
thing entirely new in the world OF art-an
American invention. 1t is the first sample
seen in the world, Of the Medallion Ingram
Carpet. 1t is composed of five breadths, g
which unite ina gorgeous and splendid de-
s'gn-unique, fresh, striking beautiful, aud
suggestive OF images of beauty; and yet
this work of art, which is worthy a thou
sand times more than MI the meaningless.
scrolls and flowers, and confusion of colors,
hurled together to make up carpets Of COM.
mon design, costs scarcely grot more than
one Of those old-f;.shioncd things we have
grown so tired Of long years ago.
Why shall we not have things that are.
beautiful in our dwellings,, when the genius
OF art and the sturdy arm of commerce
bring them to our doors2
This is IN age Of luxury and sof, peace to-
lis OH this untroubled side of the earth. It
may we'll be; for the olive is growing in our
New World, while the flames of war: are
lighted in the old. And there is nation
of working men, walking on a continent Of
gold. Once all the beautiful objects, images
and associations of art, were confined to the
rich and the noble. Democracy has revolu-
tionized the world. It has lifted the veil,
and opened an earthly paradise TO Iong-toiI- !:
ing and ever-forgotten millions. The home
of every active, intelligent, upright Ameriss
can, may now be, frightened by those luxu-s,
rics wl'lcEs by the magic workings Of rnoderp,@
machinery, have been brought within the
common reach. To the energy, boIdnesss
and taste of Doughty and Brother,s sonr city
and country are indebted for much Of the
luxury and comforts Of American homes.
Z: Home Journal. 4.
-. ---5-----:-s-<,------- ~ nsso !
HAEDBfLLs AND CIRcuLARs--The wash
ington Union announces the following order
from the Post Office Department.: asIYaSi
learn that, it is the practice of many to ad-;;
dress their handbills .andsDewspapels in the.
nature Of circulars or handbills, to pestuaassa
ters, BY which means they give them
tensive circulation free of postag4ss THEN
an abuse that should be corSqs InsyerSs'
instance whena postnast& 81 saesiyes coniss
munication, addressed ID lfnd as postmastSf
which is, Of a private aid designed
to promote Tfiyate NJ ifteFes with an evii-,.
dent intention s6f & hing sSirc ctslation to III
without paying Re issse9airsd tc rss.
ElufnE Efhe 'saIne SsaseI who Gent III, {
Enndsr.a as, & g|'tls' Charge 4 lets: