Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-04-17

The "DHISG GLADIAroRn-Fhe Picture Gal
lery of the Smithsonian Instituffon has lately re-
ceived on deposite very interesting acquisition,
"a marble copy of the celebrated statue of sThe
Dying Gladiator" This very admirable copy is
IN, ,., %oLk OF an English sculptor-Gott- 1t was
PuIchdseo oy gentleman of this District, ana Is
now ON free exhibition at the gallery, where
rror. Henry has had il placed on PEDESTAL and
appropriately posed for statuesque effect
In this connection, 4 few woids about Gladia-
tors may serve TO refresh the memory of the WIS.,
ltor. Gladiatorial combats were originally ex-
hibited at the graves of deceased persons at Rome
They were first introduced by the Braft, upon
the death of their father, and thus formed origi-
nally kind of funeral sacrifice, the shades OF the
dead being supposed to be proPitiated by their
blood Subsequently, the magistrates, to enter
tain the people gave shows Of the Gladiators at
the Satu1aafia and the Festival of Minerva.
Incredible numbers of these combatants were
thus DESTROYED. After the triumph of Traian over
the Dacians spectacles of this kind were exhibit
ed for 123 DAYS which 10, 900 Gladiators fought
GIadiators were kept and maintained in schools
by persons, who purchased and trained them,
much as modern chicken-fghters purchase and
train their game cocks. ~
At first the gladiators were composed Of cap
tives and slaves, or of condemned malefactors;
afterwards e-born citizens, induced by hire or
inclination, fought in the arena. Some even of
noble birth, and what is still more wonderful
women of rank and dwarfs.
When first brought upon the arena the Gladia-
tors walked around with great pomp and solem-
nifty, after which they were matched in equal
pairs with great nicely They first had a skirIn-
ish with wooden foils. After this the effective
weapons. such rs swords, daggers, &c, were put
In their hands, and at n signal given by trumpet
they entered upon the dreadful contest As they
previously bound themselves to contend till the
last the fight was bloody and obstinate, and when
one signifed his submission by surrendering his
arms, the victor was not permitted to grant his
tarde. '''' . '''' "'H''' ''' '' u 'H' ""'''-
These cruel exhibitions were abolished by Con-
santne the Great GO years after their institutions
were revived under the reign of Constantius, and
finally put an end to by Honorious:
The statuary at the Smithsonian Institution rep
resents the death scene Of a Gladiator. Support
ing himself by one hand, his eyes are bent upon
the tide of life-blood Oozing from his breast ESy
his side rest his now useless weapons of attack
and defence.
The opportunity to see this world renowned
statue will we presume, not be lost by the citi-
Gems Of Washington
BLOODY AFFAIR AT THE COUNTY JAIL.-Yes-
terday afternoon young woman known as Rose
Bell, but said to be named Rose Martin, took
some refreshments to the Jail, she has been in
the habit of doing, to her ''friendp Rangy Jones,
who is confined there for offence committed.
some months ago. Some circumstances il seems
had excited the jealousy of JONES' and while she
was at the Jail he asked her TO kiss him, and on
her attempting to comply he threw one arm affec-
tiOnately around her neck and with the other hand
drew razor across her throat, literally s'betray-
Ing her with a kisS.n He was secured before he
could finish his deadly purpose
Dr. HELEN was sent for. and he, after dressing
the wound, directed that she be taken to the In,
Urinary, where she could be more carefully at
tended ~
The cash made by the razor severed the wind
pipe, but as she passed the night comfortably
there is probability that, if no untoward cir
cnmstance occurs, she will recover
ChiS morning her friends removed her from the
lnhrmary to her residence.
Jones being already in the custody of the Mar
shdl, II Is probable that the first regular examna-
tion OF the witnesses against him on this charge
Will be before the next Grand Jury.
An INCIDENT OF THE FIRE IN GEORGETOWN
We understand that while the fire was raging on
Wednesday afternoon, several individuals repre-
senting themselves as fremen, insisted upon en-
tering the dwelling of respected clergyman sit
uated in the same block as the burning BUILDINGS
The articles in the house having been prepared
for removal by the family, it was not considered
advisable TO admit strangers, and Young daugh-
ter OF the minister took her position at the front
door, and gave the parties notice that they would
not be allowed TO enter. Previous to taking her
stand, while packing up the various articles
servant discovered a revolver i'm a bureau drawer,
and fer fear Of accident handed it to the Young
lady, who deposited il in her dress pocket for
safety. Upon her arrival at the front door the
parties not satisfied with her refusal sirnihed
their intention, in rough, rowdyish manner, to
enter. When as last resource, assured that
everything depended upon her determination. the
llttIe heroine, stepping back, presented the re-
vOlver. and informed her uncouth visitors that
= the INST man that attempted to pass her would
be d' al man, IL 8 needless to say that the in
dlvlduals retired. The weapon in Question was
purchased some years since by the reverend gen
tieman for self-preservaton in a foreign land, and
since his return has been laid aside uaIoadsd
CIRCUIT COURT.-JndgeS Dunlap, lforssH and
HsTTiek.-This morning the Carroll ejectment
case was continued. The plaintiffs in this case
take the ground that the owner had personal
property sufficient to have answered the Corpora
non demand, without Its making sale of the lot
In question: and that such personal propertv
should have been first levied upon
This morning, Messrs. Marbury and Reddin,
Tor plaintiffs offered TO show in evidence that the
property assessed to Carroll had been sold by him
to others, and therefore should not have been
charged In the assessment to him but to the par
ties to whom the property had been sold
Mr.. Carlisle, for defence. contended tb,, tho
evidence was inadmiSsable, being of a nature TO
lnvaIidate the assessment; that II was the plain
TN duty to see that the assessment was properly
made. f-'
The Court decided the evidence TO be iuadmis
sable.
SOMETHING NEw.-ln passing the Smithsonian
institution yesterday we noticed a new erection
on the top Of one of the southern towers of the
building, and on inquiry ascertaned that II is an
thermometer" machine for recording the di-
ItcIon ana velocity OF the wind. The record is
made by pencil moved by clock work on a
Sheet OF paper This particular instrument is the
invention OF Mr. Osler, of England, and was con-
Structed for the Smithsonian Institution under
the direction of DR.. Smallwood, of Montreal
Among the meteorological objects Of interest at
the smithsonian Institution is large barometer,
IN which the place of the mercury of the ordinary
instrument is supplied by sulphuric acid On
account OF the comparative ightness Of this LIQUID
the range of motion is very much increased: SO
much SO that the changes in the atmosphere NAV
ne noticed almost from moment to moment par.
uculaEly during a storm.
STREET FIGHT.-Ths morning, Mr. Calvin
L. sayre, Of Alabama, meeting Mr.. Geo. R. Her
rick, formerly from Rochester, N. W at the
CITY Post Office, inquired whether he was the
Wnter OF the letter recently published in the New
York Herald 81 sned "a q in Corner ;, Iattrihn,eJ
Dy ihat paper to Mr. II Being answered affirm.
Lively, ne struck Herrick two or three blows in
the lace with his hand ere they were separated hr
The by-standers. Mr.. Sayre Is a cousin of MI
PhlIp Clayton, the Assistant Secretary of the
treasury, severely reflected on i'm the letter in
question. This affair evidently grew out OF those