Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-03-18
LETTER FROM ALBANY.
ALgAxr, March It'll, 1859.

Messrs. Editors
Having, by force Of railroad CON
ncctions-or determinations rnther--to spend Sun
day in the Capital Of New York State have been
looking at the lions here, little.
First, at the Legislature. The House wa. not
IN session when went in having just adjourned
till Monday, The Representatives Hall is n fine
one, lofty and large it. appearance however, is
spoiled by large post that support. the ceiling,
directly in front Of the Speakers Chair There
was terrible fright, it seems, among the mem.
bcrs lest the ceiling should give way and to secure
their brains, it was voted % have this prop put
up,-a bare post without tho least attempt at or.
namcnt or anything that would hide its uglness.
I told that in fact, it was only to give dit
tie job" to somebody, that the originators of the
scheme were frightened for their precious
heads and my Informant told by tho archi-
tect of the building that in his opinion the ccirg
was in every respect safe, and such n support en-.
tircly unnecessary.
Tho Senate was in session, but did not stay to
watch proceedings The subject under discussion
was the report Of the Lobby Investigation Com
mttee and all heard were repeated assertions
| from one member, that he saw another drunk
at such time, and that he was drugged by some
of the Lobby,-which did not promise anything
| instructive or entertaining
| An hour was much more ngreeably spent in
visiting the State Library, fine collection. But
there is scarcely anything more bcvildering to one
who does not for definite purpose-to
consult some particular book-than to look at such
place. So many books smile at you every
hand ready and willing to be read, so many that
you would like to read that probably you throw
down the catalogue in despair, and fee from the
place.
There are some curiositic. in this library we'll
| worth looking at. valuable collection Of coin.
will repay one who is curious in such matters
| There are also, many medal, one set, the
Kn-s of Francc-prcscnted by Napoleon III
The swords presented to Maj. Gen. Worth, occupy
prominent place in ono Of tho galleries.
Tic State geological rooms arc exceedingly in.
teresting. am not much gifted at finding "ser
mons in stones" and cannot pronounce on tn,
completeness or value Of this collection. Blu
even an inexperienced observer could not fail t.
be struck with the order and arrangement Of thu
rooms, and the beauty of many of the specimens
The upper room Of the building is entirely filled
with collection of stuffed animals and birds
owned partly by the State, and partly by Mr. Hurst
the taxidcrmist whose in the lowe
story. Beautifully stuffed and mounted, the bird
look at you from tho cases, most Of them pcrche
quietly, but here and there one, with extende
wings, as if just taking flight They were al
so beautiful, that l can hardly tell which at
tracted my attention most. The collection
animals is much smaller group of youn
panther cub. at play, and another, panther an
half-grown cub, pulling down white fawn, wei
very we'll and naturally arranged.
There were, also, snakes, toads and fishes, &c
&c, preserved in spirits, but did not spend niue
time in looking at them.
The only other place worthy of especial mention
which 1 visited, wa. Palmcr's Studio There wer
several beautiful busts in marble, medallions, 4
The great attraction is the "White Captive" I'll
marble is not quite completed; workman wi
engaged on it when was there, carefully copyin
every curve in tho plaster model beside him. tn
figure is that Of young girl, naked, her draper
having fallen around the post to which she
DOunu One manu- rests nSaihst tuo Pos', hciu
by its thong, the other i. tied behind hor baci
The face is turned = little one side-as
looking at group Of her tormcnters-not e.
actly in defiance, but by means in meek SUI
mission Tho left hand behind her back is clenc
ed and the impression Immediately made upo
your mind is Of ga gritty woman" Tho attitud
is natural and lifc-likc, and the figure good 1t
fine thing, and I was very glad to have seen it.
caught glimpse of Mr.. Palmer, himself,
he passed out of his studio; fnc-looking mai
G full-bearded and pleasant faced. He i, much c
teemed here in Albany, l am told.
Farewell. BEN.