Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-05-26
LETTERS FROM RICHMOND TO LADY IN NEW
ORLEANS
BIT MRS c y. wISDLK.
No 2.
RICHMOND, Nav 20.

hOhAohDi nay ZVi icoz.
My Dear Friend:
birds eye view, suppose, would fully reveal the
fact of the location OF Richmond upon hilsfrom
which 1t has been hkened to Roms. Seen in iAndsrspe-
the "clcud.capt" SUBMITS thiekly planted with resi- |
dences here nsjesticay ascending till they defae the
horizon, and there by sanng Of exquisite effect
betting the earh-it looks indeed in situation pictur
squely beautiful enough to compare with ones concep
tons Of the eternal city" Within the confines, FREE
qleut emnences and declensons reminders Of
circumstance which has suggested the classic COMPARE
son.
OF this dadem Of honor and beauty to Richmond
Capitol Hill situated in the very heart Of the pacs and
containing in line its summit the Governors hand
some residence tssefuy envroned, aud the State Cap
o in It's extended and beautiful enclosure, Is the
ornamental gem. know of no city In America that
possesses al outdoors resort that has struck
peculiarly beautiful this Square encrclng the Oapito
True in certain other places there public Squares OF
larger dimensions, aud more pre;entious to claims
but this one, in the rising and descending walks the
smiling grssJpsts the outrageous trees the refreshng
fountain the classical satuary and architecture Of the
Capitol together with the numbers of prOmenaders and
loungers upon the benches suggest to my fancy while
The glimpse OF Art sfJried in the status, in turnr
10 from the street, is Ike sudden breath OF Inspiration
As works of the sculptor, strictly speaking, need
say you that should be entirely incompetent to crii
else these; yet l do not how they possibly be
unworthy parallel with other mastery pieces Of SINH
lar ORDER There are in one group srson, Mason aud
Henry, surrounding lower pedestal, q towering
equestrian Washington. All these of bronze, and
+ A..
fidelity There is to me- however, one striking
popularity in the faces which will mention. Whether
it DO merely effect produced by the dark color
the metal hiss assumed whether may not possibly
be caused by looking from below towards them upon sn
elevation thoush in the brouza statue Of Henry Cha
in New 0llsans raised also, have not perceived IL.
same rsiO cInno! decide, but each has, to my OIL
seryation, depth Of the eyes Overshddowiag of the
brOv giving the countenancs remarkable sublmity Of
expression. This clnnot, think, have been generally
the personal trait of the whole four originals OF the
group. The similarity, by the way, appearing in
the face of the late Daniel Webster, ecOllect formed
the principal grandeur Of his imposing physoguomy.
The Washington on horseback is truly superb, and in
beholding it have learned for the first time to perceive
defects in the equestrian statue of Jackson In New o.
leans and its fac simls in Washingtou-the only spec
mems OF that branch Of sculpture have before seen-
If you could observe the graceful in all the lines Of
both horse and rider in this grand work by Crawford
the figures OF mau aud steed appearing TO be instinct
with vitality-not alone WERE performing the
ment in the act Of which they depicted, but
ingy ready the instant to effect change Of posi-
tioa-you too, for the r.t time would begin to consd
err that there stiffness in the outlines aad mmc
bile rsidty about the attitudes Of Miss Jackson you
had not before thought Of.
Removed from these and situated by itself which
prefer as confning the attention slngly in pretty and
shaded spot of the square, and protected by iron rail
ing sthe statue Of Henry Clay. This, you will rsmem
ber ia the work Of Hart the artist OF the colossal Clay
erected in canal in New 0reans and the
tues were iuaugurated two years ago the
day. They are in all respect after model but they
a,r In point of sizs and material. That in New Or
leans as YOU know is bronze and of double treble
magnitude. The here is life size and in marble,
and s wilderness contrasts beautifully with the verdure
OF the square.
As regards appearance in every respect Richmond
compares sdvantageous'y with other cities of the
size The streets are wide the private residences taste.
fnl and handsome and there number Of fine
churches which last in some future letters will proes
rately.
The society Of this place. judging Of it from the ind.
viiual specimens have become acquainted WITH Is Of
the very highest order As for the intellectual superior
iiy need bu. remind you that It Is here the "SJtLsrn
Literary Manageable ouy literary periodical Of the
South that has stood the of tmeis published to
| give you an estimate Of the mental cslbre of the
residents In the scca clements Of cordial recognition
hospitality and friendly sentiment and action open and
genuine have found all have met fully to accord with
tho exalted Virginia character add Indeed to distance
those of every other city have been in-saviDg,
perhaps Chsrlestonin this regard. am in particular,
charmed with those of my The ladit o: Rich.
mono are lovely in the highest Of that word. With
no apparent Sefconsccusness, they have most grace
fcl Willingness of manner peculiarly tier own and
more than ALL are evidently creatures Of unchecked
heart and feeling. 0ae az once pronounces them
peor To the idolaries Of Fashion, or TO blind worship
of Mammon in any shspe-models, in short, of woman
kind Their ardour Ia the Of patriotism aud hu
mainly, as shown from the commencement Of the war,
IN their ex.rtons FOR the equipment of volunteers,
aud the relief Of sick eoIders, are well known far
beyord their LEGALITY, and speak alone for their no.
bTy of character. They land possibly their knsWo.
men, the ladies' of Norfolk have been indiGpuably
more Jealous and untiring and better than OIL
sga In these .rs for the sOldes than the ladies OF
any other scuh,rn CITY II Is tIue IS their hofpltsls
have been much numerous, their Gala have been
greater Their care for and IulsIrstions in these n
frmarlaa still continue and recently with increase OF
-iekuesr With renewed eudeaynrs their part They
have ir fact lately established various hospital.
Il is my intention shortly to yisi! these, when vi" sp
cay decide to you those that are principally worth
mentioning.
In concluding my notice Of tho Capital of the South
orn Oonfederacy greye to observe how gloomy Is tbs
dnlirhtfnl ahnnd he invest.