Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-05-25
ssAmeriean Notes. by an Englisllman.

America this morning, anu pelEg an InslSh-
man, you may imagine my feelings were some
what different from those entertained by Amer
leans under similar circumstances They were.
and determined to tell you some ofmy thoughts
whilst in that mighty pile Of departed greatness.
But here let me say that my compan!oa was
|, Virpinian. Looking at the exterior, the Cap
itol is magnificent pile, the dome perfect, the
goddess" enchanting; but [ thought what a
good thing it is for her that she was placed
where the fighting sna squabbling Incidentto
Impeachment couldn't reach. I didn't feel
quite sure though but that little Of Mr. BuS.
lers eloquence might have been waited up-ior
| she looked uncommon'y angry. Passing ln' 1
rambled about without being struek ty anything
except my friend g. cane, until L came 10 the
| IN atble Chamber :" this room is certainly, CT
| ALL the most beautiful. couldn't help adj
miripg the decorations of the various rooms,
| but it seemed to me that passing away was
| written on the gaudy, tinselled ornaments: -
May be I'm not a good judge, but [ cid think
| that the solid oak carvings which grace the En-
| glish buildings can be compared with the fres-
| Goes OF the Capitol, and lose nothing by the
comparison.
| The ''bronze doors" commanded my admira
! ton, and the ssrefreshment saloon showed NE
| how much American statesmen value the good
| things Of this life. No Turk, EasliShman, non
any other infdel can stand under the ''d0me"
without being impressed with the grandeur and
beauty of that magnificent piece Of architecture.
! The perfect symmetry and the decorations pre-
| sent apleaslng picture TO the eye. Perhaps l
might say the same or this Us OF other parts OF
the building viz it seemed to lack some OF
that grand, gloomy, and peculiar awe which
strikes thu: visitor of Old St. PauPs. The his
torieal painting l thought very beautiful; but
must confess that two of them gave a severe
tug at my national pride refer TO the sur
renders of Lord Cornwaliis AID Gen. Bursoyne.
| My Virginia friend laughci at my loriorn look,
but ! retortel by asking him: Don't you
think considering present circumstances twOuld
have been better had it been the other way
The baptism of PocahOntls' Is sublime, and
/ felt proudto think that IN spite OF revolutions,
| wars and hatred, the beautiful ritual OF my ma
| tive church was fOstered and loved by those
who hated the rule of Britain. You may very
! naturally suppose, sir, that a man with touch
l of the beautiful in him would be very much
Impressed with the last named picture; but,
oh! my soul what falling of was there, :"
when, raising my eyes after brown study, they
encountered the marble portrait OF MIR Butler !!
| L "
and on that the one pOrtraying . beautiful
and touching episode In history, the other filing
a page that some think would almost stain the
| life Of Marat. From the inscription learned
that the work was executed by some artist OF
| Boston, and 'thonor to whom honor is due, 1t
is beautifully done. But, sir, would it not have
been much more to the credit of the y. 5.
Government if they had reque: ted the artist to
exhibit his talents in his own studio? And
would not the artist have shown sense as well as
genius if he had taken some other man for
subject? | looked at those gentlemen, who
buttered slices of Plymouth rock with sea foam
tor breakfast, and thought what a worthy
scion you have lett behind, and how we'll he
carries out the doctrines which you inculcated!
| The hall of Representatives and the Senate
chamber were very fine but the library i'm
| pressed me most, as it seemed in perfect keep
ing. So, Mr. Editor, [ have told you all | can
| remember Make what use of it you choose
| When I return to my native land shall not
! forget my visit to Washington, bat Still less
| shall forget Virginia, where have realized
! the beauty of Queen Dido motto: o.
| Troas Tyrlosque mihi, nullo dlscrimlne agatur.
/ Yours very truly, ..5 TRELAWNY.
THE PEABODY MEDAL.-The medal ordered
by the thirty ninth Congress for George Pea
| body, in consideration of his late munifcent
| gift to the South for educational purpose,
| has been completed and sent to the State
| Department at Washington It is three
| inches in diameter and half inch thick on
the front is the profile of Mr. Peabody and on
the reverse the following inscription: The
| peopl of the u S. to Georgia Peabody, in &C
! acknowledgement of his .henefcent promotion Of
| universal education" 1t is mounted Oh base,
and to the right Of the medal are two palmetto
| trees in gold, six inches high, around which is
twined the ivy, the emblem of friendship. To
the left of the medal is the figure of Benevo
lence, with one hand resting upon the medal,
holding 10 it spray Of laurel, and with the
other is pointing to Mr. Peabody. Under the
palmetto trees are two children, one reprcsen
ting white child and the other black the
white child pointing to Benevolence and the
to be educated" The whole work is of solid
gold In the rear Of the medal, resting upon
| the base, is perfect globe, which revolves
and around this are books, and various instru.
ments representing the progress OF civilization
and education. On the front OF the base is the
national shield, executed in enamel. The medal
! is inclosed 10 cabinet of ebony and birds eye
maple, lined with purple velvet the top of
which revoIves when the medal is placed on it,
| thus exhibiting it without placing the hand
upon it to change its position. ."@ ="-. - -'
| FAUoUIER CoUNTY.-Mr Alfred Clopton
has on his farm near Rappahannock Station,
| bituminous coal mine which we learn he is pre-
pairing to work. Above the coal runs a stratum
! OF slate. 1t is quite a curiosity. It has en-
cased throughout it a large number of alls of
| the same material, in form and size, and the
veins and creascs upon them, very much re
| sembling hickory nuts .-.rs -. .-si.u 49,. !
Dr. s. B. Fisher sold last week to DR.. David
Gordon of Baltimore portion Thirty acres) of !
his farm adjoining the corporate limits ofNar- |
! rentou, and including his dwelling, large and |
commodous brick building, for SIS 900. 1t is |
beautiful seat, and We regard the sale good |
one for both parties. <.ls. r ~&ta !
Glnc,oll hac cold hnn lrrnll lana