The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-09-26


and devotion her dress is pure white, with
snowy mantle of swans skin, tipped with
plnmagc, just falling from her shoulders.
Her hair flows negligently over her neck
and back, and her features and complex
ion arc those of the Indian, though less
beautiful than she is said to have been in
! life"
! 6. TIE Embarhuiion Of tie Pilgrims.
! This grand painting, by Weir, embems
Il scene Of deep and pathetic interest, the
recent cmharkation of the pilgrim fathers
Of New England, from Dett-lIeaven, in
Holland, OH the high mission of civil and
religious liberty, which landed them on the
! plymouth Rock, there to consccratc their
principles, and found we trust, on an ever
enduring basis, 4 commonwealth aud en-
rlrc OF freedom, which has no parallel III
he past and will probably find none in the
remotcst future. The venerable Robinson,
their Plous pastor, is commenting them, in
dcvout farewell, to Heaven, as they are a.
bout to weigh anchor and unfurl their can
vas for the new world "Rcligion," saws the
Washington Guide Book, "is the presiding
spirit OF the scene, though miles Stand
iSh knecls like Il soldier, and the whole com
! has expelled all other fcar.' Several of the
female portraits arc models of feminine
beauty.
7. 1he Landing Of Columbns IN the
We" l'orld.-This painting, 10y Wander
lyn, Of panoramic fame, has led to some
controversy among amateurs and connois-
scnrs, as to its merits. The Washington
Guide Book says, however, that call must
be struck with the resolution and devotion.
blended in the aspect OF Columbus, rs he
bears the standard OF civilization, and points
til" sword of authority towards the earth,
defeating, with upliitcd eye towards lIea.
ven, the New World to the Divine author
OF Christianity"
s. Tile Discovery Of tie Nssixs;ppi6y
Ne Soto.-This elegant painting hv Pow
ell, young American artist, fills the last
and long vacant panel in the Rounda 1t
is a graphic representation Of the scene, in
which Dc Soto, on al admirably proper.
1lqped. and richly cnrarisol.ci stecd, is The
prominent figure, with all the accompani-
mcnts Of the sol,lcr, the priest and the In
dian, calculated to produce a climax of in
terest and effect Its, in my opinion, Il de-
cidcd effort Of genius and that Of very
high order. Important as is the Mississippi
to Our country, rs the great channel of
W eStcrn commerce, and as Il bond Of un-
ion and source Of power and strength to
onr great and growing country, it was fit
ting that its discovery should thus be com
memoratcl by fitting work Of art, at our
National Capitol, and Il fitting memorial of
its great liscovcrcr, who only accomplished
the achievement to die almost in the mo-
mcnt of triumph
"De Soto, he lies in the far distant West,
The River his grave, the Magnolia his crest"
TIE SCULPTURES OF TIE EorCNDA.
The Rotunla is provided with four enter
ances to its imm clisc periphery, one from
each porch, and the other from the Repre-
sentative and the Senate chambers, respective
ly. The panels over these several enter
anccs are graccd and adorned with sculp-
turel scenes from American history.
]. Pcun's Treaty aciM the Idions.---
| Over the Northern door, leading to the
Senate Chamber, is fine sculpture OF vii
liam Penn, the illstrious founder of Penn
syvania and friend OF the Indian race, ma
king treaty with the Indians, under II
branching and spreading elm. The humane
ncgotiator holds in his hands scroll, will,
the inscription-"Treaty, 1856" The ar
tist was Frcnchman, named Gcvelot.
Q. Daniel Boon and the Indians.-Thc
panel over the Southern door, leading to
the Representative Hall, is adorned with
ul?tured representation of Daniel Boone,
the hero and pioneer Of "Old Kentucky" in
desperate conflict with tho savage enemy.
Boone's aspect contains resolution and iu-
tcrpidi,y with perfect sclfposscssion and
calmness; and that of the Indian, with
whom he is engaged, in the death struggle,
is almost satanicalIy feroci6hs. AT the feet
of the combatants, lies PROSTATE dead In
dian, the first victim of the great pioneers
prowcss, with an expression of tho proud
spirit of a fallen savage, unconquered or
unsubdued, ever in death. The figures are
larger than life; and they are from the
skiIful chisel Of Causici. The Washington
Guide Book records the following interesting
incident: "a band Of Winnebagoes once
came through the Rotunda. They were
noble looking fellows, dressed in their own
style. Their faces were variously painted :;
i'll their belts they wore their scalping knives
and tomahawks. and slung, over their backs,
their l,oSs and arrows. r Passing through
the Rotunda, their attsntion was caught
by this group, "I}oone killing the Indian"
They formed scmicircle, and the bead man
stepped forward and stood before the rest.
For some moments they looked intentiy,
. scrutiniziug and recognizing every part OF
the scene, and, suddenly, tas by ono impulse,
tLoy ra;sad, tha draadfsf M or.boo and ran