Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-04-17
MORNING APRIL II, 1866.
A Noble Charity by the Ladies' Of
Baltimore.

baltimore Correspondence Of the New Y ork WOrd1
A few months since number of noble
and charitable ladies of Baltimore formed
an association for the purpose OF relieving
thopeople of the South VINO have been re-
duced to destitution by the late desolating
war. Appeals were made to other cities.
which were generously responded TO, ana
soon donations came flowing i'll from all
quarters.
On Monday evening, April ., the fair
was brilliantly opened at the hall OF the
MARYLAND institute. The evast hall, perhaps
the longest in America, was Illuminated by
a dazzling array Of gas-lights, lDgenlously
arranged in the form of stars, circles,
wreatns, pendants and globes; the nuIuer-
Gus tables loaded with an variety OF
beaudiul and useful articles, gayly decorated
with flowers and evergreens, and attended
by the most exquisitely lovely and graceful
OF the tar-tamed beauties Of the Monu-
mental city; the dense mass of well dressed
persons OF both sexes moving slowly along
the aisles, gazing with surprised astonish-
ment at the embdrTds deS richeSSeS on every
side; the elevated galleries, running around
the entire hall, and filled with the elite OF
the city; and the many strangers who
have crowded into Baltimore during this
gala week-some looking quietly down on
the animated scene below, Others prOmen-
aiding while the Independent Blues band
played national and popular airs-iOrmiDg
u tout ensemble seldom witnessed.
This great tair will be Il superb success.
The most lively interest and enthusiasm
are manifested by persons OF every creed
and party, except the lew ianatlcal radicals
who suffer their political feelings TO Danish
that heaven-bOrn charity which should
reign in every Christian heart. Early In
the morning, before the doors are opened,
an eager crowd is waiting to get in, and all
day, until late at night people continue TO
pour in and out. The Southern fair is now
the fashionable resort. The ''ayenue" has
lost its glory tor the time, and the theater-
there is only one in this city OF nearly 300,-
600 nhabtants-display nightly abeggar-
ly account Of empty benches. Everybody
i, at the fair.
In viewing such countless collection Of
articles, the mind becomes bewildered, and
it is almost impossible to particularize any,
except those which either on account Of
their great bulk or their great beauty,
stand out more prominently than the rest
A table composed of Florentine mOsaicS,
eXquisitely wrought, is justly admired. A
splendid baby-palace attracts universal at
tention. Several of the tables are orna-
mented with portraits of President John
son, Gems. Lee, Grant, and StOnewall
Jaskson; one of the latter, masterpiece OF
the Photographic art, is life-sze, aud taken
from small photograph, which Mrs. Jack
son prOnOunceS the only correct likeness OF
the Confederate chicttain i'll existence.
Several interesting relics and mementOes
are on exhibition; among others, portion
of the coat worn by Stonewall Jackson
when he was killed near Charlottesville; !;
a pincushiOn made of fine velvet taken from
pair of breeches once worn by Washing
ton magnificent lot OF braided hair
which lady of Richmond, once in atiluent
circumstances, cut from her head and sold
to procure food tor her starving children !;
the Viginia Gazette of l776, l777, l77S. per-
haps the only copy of the old revolutionary
paper eXtant; several autograph letters OF
Washington, and among them a genuine
letter addressed by the great patriot to Mrs.
Fairfax, of Virginia, on the 4th Of July,
1899, the year in which he died; this val
liable relic is in charge OF Miss Essie Fair
fax Minor,a descendant of the lady to whom
the letter was written. Upon one of the
tables is finely executed portrait of Wash
ington, taken from life, in 1882 by Charles
W. Peale; also the surveyors Compass"
made by the celebrated philosopher, David
Rittenhouse, OF Philadelphia, aud present.
ed to ''the Father of his Country" in 1882,
together with the correspondence releating
thereto-all duly authenticated by the late
George Washington Parks Custis, of Arl-
ington, Va.