The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-01-03

| U. S. SLooP-oF-WAR VANDAMA-Nrw YopK
Jan. 1.-The U. S. sloop-of-war YanGalia arrived
here to-day from Valparaiso.
| The Vandalia experienced the shock of an earth
quake on the night of Dec Is. She left at Rio the
Z. S. ship Congress, John Adams, and Wyoming.
The John Adams had been condemned, and was
waiting orders for home.
The Vandalia sailed from the United States Dec.
l, 1891, and has been in commission twenty-six
months. During that time she has been four hun
orea ana fourteen days at sea, and sailed upwards
| OF ifty-one thousand miles. Not a death has oc-
Cured on board her from casualty or disease durino
the cruise, and all have been remarkably healthy.
although she lay at Panama during the whole of
the last sickly 1t is but seldom we hear of
one OF our men-otwar making so extended cruise
through so great variety of climate without the
loss of one or more officers men.
The Vandalia has returned in fine order, and is
deservedly a credit to the NAVY.
The following is list of officers: Commander
Arthur Sinclair Lieutenants, j. Hogan Brown. g.
H. B. Caldwell, John L. Davis, William T. Gassell;
Surgeon, Joseph Wilson, Purser, Miles II. Morris;
Master, Charles A. Babcock; Assistant-Surgeon,
II. =; Trist Allan Ramsay, Second Lieutenant u
5. Marine Corps; Captains Clerk, Frank b.
Merriam; Purser's Clerk, James Love; Boatswain
James NJ. Miller; Gunner, Bernard Duvcker
Carpenter, Amos Chick; Samaker, VIM. Rogers;
Masters Mates, William Nelson, John NJ. Harring-
ton, Benjamin F. Hughes, David Esbeck
The New York Tribune saws: We learn that Mr..
Belmont has lately purchased Meissonier, which
Is said to be finer example of that artists
ner than his 'Chess Players" which Mr. Belmont
was anxious to purchase when it was exhibited
mere two years since. Articles are sometimes said
TO be worth their weight in gold, to express their
great value; but the pictures Of Meissonier are
worth their weight in diamonds. The "Chess
flayers,' hardly more than foot square, and con-
tanning but two figures, sold for 81 900. The COPY
OF Gerome's ''Duel after the Masquerade" sold
Tor D, $50. The eXorbitant prices paid for these
and other little bits of canvass will by and bv per
haps, induce our artists to forego their ambition
to pant large pictures, and adapt their productions
to the demand of art-patrOns. Gerome commenced
by painting enormous pictures his "Death Of
Cesar" in Goupi's gallery, being a specimen of
his younger productions; but he had the good
sense to contract his canvass, and his works imme-
diately became saleable.
Two very splendidly attired ladies recently m ade
a condescendng visit to the studio of one of our
distinguished landscapists and asked the privilege
OF looking at his pictures. The artist was but too
happy to comply with their request, and placed be-
lore them brilliant sunset which he had lust fin
ished. His visitors were lavish of those
charming epithets which ladies bestow so literally
upon the objects of their admiration. 90! Isn'tit
l0cveIy HOW sweet! How naturaP' &c. And then,
a'ter gazing at the glowing canvas for few minutes
IN wrapt silence, the lady who had been loudest in
expressing her admiration, said, with poirefe
winch must have penetrated to the very core of tbe
painters heart, "Pray, Mr.. c., is it a neon
hight :? The artist meekly replied that it was in
tended for 'tsunset" 40, indeedr' replied the
lady. pray, Mr.. O., which do you think the
most GllcuIt to do pictures in oils or in worsteds?"
Really, replied the dstonished painter 81 am
unable to say, for | have never done angthino in
worsted." "Ahw said the lady, 81 find ii So diG.
cult IN working little dogs to put in the ewes -
But these, of course, were exceptional ladies-N
y. Tribune.