Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-01-31
washington CORREsPOsBENOE.
burning of the Smithsonian Institute
--.CeIebrated Painting OF Perry on
Lake Erie---BrOOI1s and RufIer--COId
Weafher.-Inaugurat Day.
WASHINGTON, Jany. 25, 1866.

WASHINGTON, Jany. %, 1865.
EDITORS LEADER: A great excitement
was created in the city yesterday by the
announcement that the Smithsonian was
on fire." About P. NJ. the inmates were
alarmed by loud crash in the west end of
the building, which was found to proceed
from the falling roof taking fire from q de-
fective fue, consuming great portion of
the roof before its presence was thus sum-
marily announced.
The Fire Department "a small affair at
best), either from tsrdiness or the slippery
streets, were late on the ground, the water,
when reaching the fire, ian hour and a half
after breaking OUT doing little or no good
Many valuable books were lost and destroy
ed by a want of system in endesvoring to
save them. The gallery of Indian paint
ings, belonging to Stanley, were destroyed,
to him doubly misfortune, as party in
tending to purchase them for the State of
Michigan was looking at them the day be-
fore, and would probably have taken them.
The valuable museum and library belong
ing to the Institute, being below IN fire.
proof room, was saved. The fire was con-
fined to the main building, neither of the
wings being injured. Thewslls are stand
ing, none of them having fallen, and it was
at first thought they would not have to be
taken down, but on examination they we're
Forn1 e. ha oo1orpad e. urob
to necessitste q rebuilding.
The celebrated painting of Perry cross
ing from his disabled vessel to q new flag
ship, on the memorable 10th of September,
is now on exhibition at the Rotunda of
the Capital, attracting more interest, and
exciting greater admiration than any pic
ture in the collection. The picture as q
work of art is q perfect masterpiece, the
figures seeming TO stand out from the can
vas, and all but speak. This picture is
painted for our State Capitol at Columbus,
and is but here temporarily, and will pro-
badly be placed in the rotunda there on
reaching its destination. We advise every
body to see it on its arrival, as all citizens
will feel q just pride in the possession Of
so splendid triumph Of genius.
The Brooks and Butler imbroglio seems
to have temporarily subsided, and "order
reigns in Warsaw"
The winter here thus far, has been the
coolest ever known in Washington, and
continuing for longer duration, the side
walks are n glare of ice, skaters are having
merry carnival, and fur mufTlers and
overcosts closely buttoned, are strongly
suggestive of our Northern cline.
The coming Inauguration will probably
call out an immense sssemblage, as sssu-
RANGES have already been received from
various civic societies, and military or
gsRizstions, of their intention to be pres
ent on that occasion, and in all probability
the city will be more crowded than on any
previous occasion of this kind.
The old adsge of an ''ill wind that blows
Nobody good" holds good in the severity OF
the season here, for though terrible to poor
people, the ice men are resping harvest,
in the saving OF labor, and the expense of
transportation from the North.
As compared with last year, there is a
diminution of officers in the city, and the
general pauciLy of exciting military news,
may, we hope be the forerunner of addi-
tionsl victories.
JUNIUs.