Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-02-13
isEssss Oofssepondsnce Of the Daily Journ
FROM WASHINGTON.

-
a goasiping Epistle touching unknoson paint.
ings and Mdrkrites -Also stoiI did,
8 logus Uith a baltimore Banker concern
b ing nstcspopsra e
- WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 1868.
Postscript.-There is no startling intelli
gence nor political disquisition in this epistle
l lately read very finely written letter from
this city to the Washington Qowa) Press,
about books and art at the National Capital
Philip & Solomon, Hudson and Franck Taylor
among booksellers, the Congressional Library
the paintings and statuary in the rotunda
the fine mural painting by Leutze in Repre-
sentative wing, the new statue of Penn, and
the Smithsonian Institute, were spoken of in
Major S.anton's happiest style. Letters far
less worthy have been bound in gilt, and
safely launched on the river of immortality
But there are unpretending works here
the creations of modest artists, which find
no place in the public buildings. 1 saw q
small painting of "Antietam Bridge hanging
in Hudson & Taylor's bookstore, which, had
it been painted by Turner. would have sold
quick for hundred pounds, perhaps double
the sum. The father of a Union soldier killed
there at the famous battle bought it for sixty
dollars. 1t was wonderfully fine little piece
painted by w. Mcleod, Esq, of this city
Persons were irresistably attracted by it, and
l heard two or three soldiers who had been
wounded near by dissenting on its merits as
artist could be induced to paint another just
like it. Then if you love the Union with
your whole heart, and hate the rebels ditto,
you may get to see, in Mr.. Taylor's parlor, q
painting by the same artist, Of the mere head
Of New Foundland dog, which you can look
at till you can almost hear the playful bark
and feel that his tail is joyously wagging
somewhere. / never saw more life in any
painting, big or little, famous or obscure II
is live New Foundland dog leaping through
the wall-so you think. Mr.. Mcleod is now
engaged upon large painting of Maryland
Heights, from drawings taken last summer
which, l cannot doubt, will be fine success
hope the price he may get for it will more
nearly approximate its value than in the case
of his Antietam Bridge.
There is an establishment on Seventh street
and, therefore, not so aristocratic US the same
establishment would be if on the Avenue
where Mr.. Markriter sells paintings, engra-
wings, photographs, holdings, etc. He is
quite connoseur in the picture line himself,
and very estimable gentleman. / became
acquainted with him through Captain Tom
Drummond, of Iowa, who was having about
score of his full-lengths framed, nearly two
years ago, when his head was little turned
by the recently acquired glories of subal-
terms canonicals. He has acquired more sub
stantial glories since, on fields of battle. You
will always find many things to admire in
Markriter's store There is little landscape
on sale there now, by young Quaker artist,
Of Georgetown, whose name is Shoemak er,
which exhibits fine powers. 1t is nameless
picture, perhaps fancy sketch, which grows
upon you like the virtues of true man. l
have here seen two or three other admirable
sketches by the same unknown artist. Some
time ago there was hanging near the work to
which have just alluded, charming little
painting by Geo. H. Ewell, Esq, of Iowa City
the property Of an Iowan now resident
here. 1t was painted in Paris. about five
years ago, and is called The Young Artist"
1t represents little fellow in his shirt sleeves,
sitting in a great velvet armchair, painting
the portrait of a golden haired little girl. l
believe, indeed, it represents an actual scene
in Mr.. Ewelps studio in Paris, the boy and
girl being the children of his landlady, who
were one day found amusing themselves thus
with his TOOLS" l never have seen small
painting Of more real merit. 1t attracted a
great deal of admiral on while hanging in Mr..
Ms window, where too, at one time and an
other, have seen hundred unpretending
works of art which were entitled to the very
highest praise, but which will probably not
receive it till they whose genius created them
have volunteered in the regular army, or have
taken to painting Maghee pigs for livelihood.
Speaking of Quaker artist reminds Inc
that the wealthiest man in Baltimore, and the
President of the Peoples Bank is MILES
WHITE. He is member of the Society of
Friends an honorable body to which my own
ancestors belonged, and from whom, no doubt,
my plain tastes and general staid demeanor
are derived. Miles White has lived frugally
a long time. He was born in North Carolina
before this famous nineteenth century appear
ed upon the stage of time His parents were
not wealthy, but Miles White now owns near
ly 10000 acres of land in the Northwest
He has good many thousand acres in Iowa,
and feels, therefore, lively interest in all
matters pertaining to the welfare and pros
perity of our State. He is hospitable,
cheerful Quaker, who likes good wholesome
dinner and hearty laugh. l think that,
when the dinner is cooked to turn and the
joke superb, he sometimes laughs the wig off
his head
On my way to the Chickahominy Swamps,
last summer, Twas unavoidably detained one
day at Baltimore. It is intensely lonely to
be in a crowded city, in the midst of a
vast number of people, not one of whom you
know from Adam. True, I did know one
man there, but he was householder who
wore goggles, and our conversation soon
dwindled from the exploits of Flora Temple
and Patchen to the diagnosis and cure of
bolts, and then ran clear out. wound up
my watch again, and suddenly thought of
Miles White, for whom had done some little
business in Iowa, but whom had never seen.
| had good d al of fun with the lively old
gentleman, and discovered the facts about him
above narrated. He promised to pay me
visit the first time he should 60 to Washing
ton. (The fact is, my early education made
me about as good in the thees and the thous as
he was, and we formed quite an attachment
for each other.) He came accordingly, the
other day, and among many interesting con-
versations, we had the following dialogue
upon the subject of Iowa newspapers 1 give
it as we'll as can recall it, and vouch for its
general correctness st ass,
WH1rE.-I agree to all thou hast said,
friend, about the State of Iowa. know it is
q great State, and fast getting to b. greater.
am truly under obligations to thee for send
ing me copy of the letter of Parson Brown
low, as he is called, but who is given to I'M
godly vituperation against the Southern
rebels; not that a little cody vituperation
would be inexcusable in his case, though, for
he suffered much in the good cause. But
how are you off in Iowa for schools, and pub
lie Journals ?