The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1866-12-31
NOTES OF TRAVEL.
Ara in washinEtsn Cify-A Visit - the
the studies-Piciures in Baltimore
-Mouniain scenery-Grnfton md
PnrkeFsburE.

-Mountain scenery-Grafton md
Pnrkersburg.
| A pleasant ride of nearly two hours,
past the old homestead where William
Writ was born, the grounds and house
laf Mills the sculptor, and Bladensburg,
brought us to the terminus, or Wash
ington depot, from which the city cars
launched us into the hustle and life
evermore to be seen on Pennsylvania
Auenue. In the old Hall of Representa-
tives are some designs and models on
exhibition, some of which have been
executed by T. +. Mills, the son of the
well-known sculptor. Once on the
Avenue we mark the contrast, for we
had not been in Washington since
that dark day when the White
House was clothed in mourning,
and assembled crowds followed
the body of the President to its brief
resting place in the Capitol. We look
in on Tenth street at the building where
! the dark deed was done, standing di-
rectly under the spot where the Pres
ident sat, while from the door at the
side opening on an alley the assassin
made his escape. On Twelfth street We
visit the studio of L. Baumgrass, whose
portrait of Gen. Grant is admirable.
While we talk, he is putting the finish
ish touches to the portrait of Il young
Union officer. attached to the Signal
Corps. His mothers pleasant, animated
face beams from another canvas, and
both seem almost as lfelike as the forms
beside us.
On the wall is q portrait of beam
| inr black face, to whom tho artist has
riven the title of tho Medicinal Herb
Woman" The blue and white bandana,
the features cut in ebony and the prof
! fered herbs are all from nature. The
picture will shortly be exhibited north
ward.
On New York Avenue are several
gems from the pencil of Mr.. Mcleod
who, though engaged i'll the Treasury
Department, finds time to pursue his
favorite art. We recognize Burnside's
! tamons bridge at Antictam, near which
such gallant fighting was done; with a
heautiful scene on the creek which
forms the boundary line between Wash
| ington and Georgetown. On Pennsyl-
vania Avenue are two studios which
we'll repay visit the one is that OF
Mr. Hutchings, whose beautiful scene on
! the Susuuehanna above Harrisburg has
been highly noticed. Many of these
smaller views on the Juniata. the Sus-
ouehanna. Potomac and Cohoctin are
exceedingly beautiful. +. Buchser is
the name of the other artist, whose pic
lures are the most original and unique
of the kind we have seen. The artist,
who is native of Switzerland,
was sent by his cOuntrymen to
paint a National American pic
ture,;; but attracted by tho grand
scenery of America, he has prolonged
his stay and visited some of our bOldest
scenery; he was also with General Shcr-
mans expedition, which he has repeat
edly portrayed making its way through
clouds of dust, OF the canvass before uus.
| His pictures Of sunset and moonlight
! on the plains between Fort Kearney and
Cottonwood are very grand. The artist
has caught the peculiar beauty and rich
| glow of sunset whose full beauty lasts
| but few moments. Even those fOrlorn
| looking huts on the right as well as the
cattle and Indians fording the stream
| seemlinyested with intei est, and We can
scarcely believe those solitary horsemcn
who have gained the brow of the hill
unconscious Of the splendor of the scene.
Never" says the artist, "have | beheld
such gorgeous sun sets, save in Africa
and occasionally in some parts of Spain,
! there is no such country as this for
an artist" How perfect is this stage
station by moonlight with its Indian
camp, rancho and stagc-coach. Mr..
BucliSer is now completing some adj
mirable portraits, and expects to paint
others of fpronlincnt members OF the Gov
| crnmeut. In Baltimore We are glad To
note somewhat active preparations for
the coming holidays. The spirit of en-
terprisc seems confined To Charles
street. Many new and handsome build
iugs have risen. Among them we note
| McDowell's elegant cloak and fur estab
| lishmsnt: with finecollcction of paint
| ings, statues, bronzes and frames, at
Butler, Perrigs & Ways. The latter
gentleman is himself an artist of merit.
! His copy of Merlc's celebrated painting
of the Beggar Girl, now at the Luxem-
bourg, is pronounced very perfect.
ItH is a piteous, pleading face,
and would do good if bought by some
charitable asylum. Keys beautiful
painting of Cheat river ornaments the
gallery. The view is from one of those
rorges at once so remarkable and char
acteristic of the region. On Charles Av-
enue, we visited the studio of III. ID. \.
. Int wi h. 10 m
fine figure of Governor Hicks. His
bust of Henry J. May, has been much
admired. How lifc-like are these casts
around us. His Seasons, and the has
relief Ecce Homo, or the dead Christ, are
exceedingly beautiful; even death fails
to etface the expression of past anguish.
Next day we leave the large new de-
pot of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad,
and passing through the magnificent
scenery of Cheat river reach Grafton, n
romantic place which possesses much
| interest in the summer season. We
make our first trip on the Parkersburg
oad after q snow, which has transformed
these dreary mountain gorges into
magic world. Every patch OF tangled
brake, brush and furze is being hung
with icy gems and clad in the purest
erminc. Parkersburg is thriving
place, deriving much of its life from
oil wells in the neiShborhood, some Of
which We passed on the cars. BY the
light of the cheerful bituminous in our
pleasant room at the Spencer House, We
review the days travelling, and visit in
dreams the wild mountain gorgcs
through which we were whirled in day
light. NJ.
GAS METRES IN WINTER.-As winter
is here il may be well to know the best
way TO prevent the water III our gas