Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-02-28

Vechten-DarsOn.
| ALBANY, N. Y, Feb. 16. 1859.
This home of the ancient Knickerbockers is
indeed 'a city set upon hill,'' and f'sbout
these days it requires great deal Of sObriety
and care to walk the slippery streets and side
walks. This must be the place where the
Irishman said to young lady, as he helped her
up from fall on the icy sidewalks. "Miss,
you must be very gOodn' "Why do you think
itlp Because" he replied, "the Bible tells
US the ,cieked only can stand on slippery places"
Ifthis is SO, the people of this early city of the
Holanders must be very good; although falls
and broken limbs, and bruised bodies, are fire.
quent. r
The Assembly of New York is now in ses-
sion. The Senate has thirty-two members and
the House one hundred and twenty-eight.
The State House belongs to past age, and
is nothing to speak of sin these fast times; and
yet, IcouId not but look with feeling of vener-
alton upon these Legislative Halls, as their seats
have been occupied by great men who made
their mark upon the Records of their 0ountry's
history. New York needs a net0 Capitol, one
that is at least safe for her Assemblymen to sit
in. If were Mr.. Speaker LittlejohD, or Re-
porter and Editor Dawson of the journal, or
Cleveland of the N. Y Tribune, or DR.. Wilder
Of the Evening Post, l would not 60 to my seat
without first taking policy of Insurance on my
Life. The sealing is propped, but it is unsafe,
The new Library Rooms in the rear and at
tached to the State House, are convenient and
elegant; and presided over by Alfred B. Street,
Esq, the well known and popular Poet, and by
Mr. Holmes, who was for some years Mis-
sionary in Greece, and a gentleman of rare in
telligence. Among the most interesting relics
of the Past, to be found in the Library, are the
Papers taken by Van Vert, Williams and Pauld-
ing, from the Boots Of the young and accom-
plished but unfortunate Major Andre, who in
the fortunes Of War, gave his life to serve his
King. Here is also copy of pencil portrait
sketched by himself, before a mirror, few days
before his death. If my memory is not at fault,
l think saw tie original sketchin the Trum-
bull Gallery of Y ale College few years ago.
Here is q large collection of ancient and mod
ern coins and medals, some of them dating back
hundreds of years before the birth of the Saviour
They are voiceless, but their mute history tells
of the rise and fall of Kings and Princes, of
Emperors and Nations, of Monarchies and Re-
publics There is much food for reflection in
the silent elOquence of these old coins And
over them the Legislators of the Empire State"
might learn wisdom, and take lessons of deep
and lasting instruction. They should stamp all
their Legislative Acts with the impress of in
tegrity, and of truth, and leave clear Record
for the Historian of another age to examine
with feelings of qualification ana of pleasure
The Library is rich with volumes of old news
papers full of interest to tie student, the schol-
ar, the historian, the statesman the politician,
or the gentleman of elegant lefsurc.
The Executive Chamber is furnished about
as extravagantly as the Executive office" in
the old State House at Columbus was some
wears ago 1t is old fashioned and somewhat
dilapidated. Governor MORGAN, is q model Gov
ernor; plain, unpretending, and truly Republi-
can In manner vet man of natural dignity, of
fine person and adGress. He is very popular
among all classes and parties here; and in an
old and unpretending mansion, near the Capt.
tol, dispenses Governors hospitality, and gives
to the Solons and invited guests, most excel
lent dinners. Iheard some Lady friends speak
in fattering terms of the very pleasant social
Exceptions" of Mrs. Morgan, who IS a wo-
man ofrare good sense-a safe counsellor and
guide,-and like the women of our Revolution.
truly Domestic; and would answer well the
description of good wife drawn by Solomon,
in the last chapter of Proverbs. d i -ire
One of the most attractive places in this City
is the large building on Safe Street occupied
for Geological Rooms and Natural History, and
by the State Agricultural Society. They are
full of interest, and eloquent with the voice of
instruction. The contrast in the large Agricul-
tural Hall, in the rude, inconvenieRt, clumsy
implements of another age, with the well adapt
ed and convenient agricultural implements of
to day, is well worthy ofcareful attention. Here
is evidence of real useful progression in Gag
rieulture the noblest," because, as Vattel says,
''the natural employment of man" Mr.. JOHN
SON, the able and excellent Secretary of the
| State Agricultural Society, is one Of the very
| few men who has lived to see results from labor
and effort, and the spread OF intelligence He
has devoted long years to this great Science,
and to him the farmers of New York and the
Union, owe large debt of gratitude, as they
yearly gather the fruit of his labor. The State
Society is now very efficient, and attracts the
attention Of all classes of citizens Mr. John
son spoke very highly of Mr.. j. H KhPpart
the Secretary Of your State Society. The spe-
cimens of Geology, Of Minerals, of woods, of
beasts, birds, reptiles, &c., &c one of great in-
terest, and of much curiosity, and one visited
by thousands. TFff
PALMER, the sculptor, has his home and stu
dio here. He is a man of rare and wonderful
genius. His Resignation and "Contempla-
tion," arc of most exquisite beauty. They are
in the highest sense, Ideal One would think
in looking at these creations of art, that the
mind that conceived, and the hand that fashion
ed them, had ever home amidst Apollos and
Venuses, and had been instructed and taught
by the masters Of arr. But his works are the
pure coinage of his own brain; and be bids fair
to become the first of living sculptors he is
now at work upon statue for Ex-Gov. Fish.
tits real gem Of female IoveIiness. But Palm
| er is toiling too hard. He is working his life
out He needs and should take rest and recre-
alton. Heaven grant to I. him length of days"
for he Is one Of whom his country and race may
well be proud. If our Government should give
him S20,O zoo Commission, It would be good
investment Our native artists need the fos-
tering care and encouragement Of eur people,
end of the National and State Goyernments.-
| We should have National Academy Of Art, at
| Washington, and the most liberal appropria
tions should be made from the Treasury to
our native artists. Our Presidents, our Gov
ernors, our legislators, our men of wealth.
should feel
That thing of Beauty is Joy forever.
When in New York, few weeks since,
went with one of the citizens of your city,
gentleman Of fine and cultivated taste, and
lover of the beautiful in art as well as in nature,
to the residence of Mr, WILLIAM B, AsToR, to
see one Of the last pieces Of statuaTy from the
| studio of PowERs, the statue Of 's California." I"
| This is female of full size, Rwith form,'' to
use an expression of Prentice, "as beautiful as
a sound Of music that goes out upon the air
| and becomes embodied In her left hand she
/ LoIda n g Mdizininn rol, roir4;ir.. 70 The aarth.