The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-09-16

reality. On the score OF strict accuracy,
however, the color which the artist has given
the water is at least open to argument The waters
OF the Gulf OF Mexico are a beautiful deep sapphire
blue, and although this color is modified near the
shore, 1t is doubtful whether in Mobile Bay or In any
other OF the indentatons OF the Gulf they ever as
sumo the dark green hue Of this picture. This is
pSnt of minor Importance It is true, and It does net
AFFECT the real merits OF the picture In this con-
necton the following account OF the engagement
between the Metacomet and the Selma, which
published shortly after the battle, will be interest
ing
''The late engagement in Mobile Bay between the
United states steamship Metacomet, Captain Jpuett
commanding, against the Rebel gunboats Morgan,
Selma, and Gaines one OF the most brilliant en-
gagements in the history OF our navy: The Meta
comet having been ashed TO the flagship Hartford,
both had passed through tne hnnareds oi torpedoes
forts, and we're just receiving the rakng fire of the
three gunboats and the ram Tennessee, when Cap.
tain Jouett having obtained permission OF Ad-
mral Farragut to engage the three gunboats
while the Hartford attacked the ram he cut his ship
loose, and with full head OF steam made direct for
them, soon receiving the fire from their stern guns.
The Metacomet soon got between the Selma and
Gaines while the Morgan was directly ahead, her
shot rakng the Metacomet forward, while she re-
turned the fire with her bow guns, giving the other
two boats alternate broadsdes in return for their
"During the engagement the vessels got five miles
away from the feet, and squall coming down shut
them entirely out from the sight of the Admiral,
who having seen the three Rebel ships engaging the
Metacomet, and knowing that each one Of them
mounted more guns than the Metacomet, felt that
there great danger Of her capture, and sgnaled
two boats to her assistance. Before they arrived
however Captain Jouett had crippled the Gaines so
badly that she drew off and ran ashore under. the
fort to save from sinking where she was afterwards
DESTROYED by her, captain. The Morgan, finding
which place she succeeded in reaching
badly crippled leaving the Metacomet and
finish this part OF the engagement, for having no
other vessel to contend wth Captain Jouett turned
his whole attention tn the Selma. few we'll
directed broadsdes from the boys on the Meta
comet soon brought down the Rebel flag, when
boat sent to receive the surrender of the ship
the engagement with the greatest interest, even
while he with his own ship was fighting the ram,
was greatly rejoced at seeing the Selma brought in
with the Stars and Stripes at her masthead Cap
tain Jouett on reporting to the Admiral was highly
complimeDted for his gallaDtry in attacking Just
four times tie number Of has guns and after an en-,
gagemeLt Of twenty minutes defeating the two and
capturing the third one."
In the window of James Caldwell & Co., on
Chesnut street, above Ninth, there is very meri-
torious statue in plaster of "Penelope," by j. Ober
meyer sculptor who has attracted attention by
several gracefully executed works. especially by the
"Nymph" which adorns the drinking fountain at
Rittenhouse Square. The penelope" is a three
quarter life-sze figure, and the faithful wife OF
Ulysses is represented having fallen asleep while
weaving the web with which she batfled her suitOrs
during the long years OF her husbands wanderings
The pose OF the figure is natural and elegant If
except slight although not unnatural awkward
in the position OF the left FOOT the drapery is
gracefully disposed and the anatomical modelling
correct. The back of the chair couch upon which
Penelope is reclining is too small and from the best
points for viewing the figure it has the appearance
Of being unsupported. This is a defect that really
mpairs the beauty of the work, 1t is an annoy
ance to the eye, but is that can easily be cor
rected as we hope it will be il the statue is put in
marble