Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-09-07

Ing crowd, would like to hear something OF |
what is going on in the world of art [ propose |
giving slight sketch Of "The Corcoran Art
Gallery What 40 untold advantage would it
be to our country could each city possess such
place of public entertainment. Among the
many deeds of charity conferred on the human
family by the noble generosity of this great
public benefacor and pbiianthropist, w. w.
CorcoraD, there is none which exercises more
refining and elevating influence on the public
taste and morals than this truly benevolent 10
stitutlon. 1t supplies lack long felt 10 our
practical money making community-our new
world so far behind the 'old" in all that per-
tains to art aud that it is appreciated is
plainly proved by the large concourse which
daily througits spacious halls. The building
is OF pressed brick faced with brown stone and
occupies most central and desirable situation.
The interior is handsome and fitted up with
| elegance. The lower floor contains the bronzes
of the chefs d'euvre of ancient times with
those of a more recent date, linking, as with
mystic chain, the past with the present. Here
may be seen the spritualized impersonations of
classic beauty wrought by the plastic hand of
the sculptor and exhibited 10 their most grace
tul and attractive attitudes. Here are assem-
bted the poets, sages and philosophers of remote
antiquity together with those OF later period.
The peerless Apollo Belvidere requires 10 study
to make its power fell, entrauclug beyond de-
scrlptlon; too fair to worship, too divine to
love, it has held aud will forever hold the first
| place among all that is beautiful in art. 'Twere
| treason to omit mention of that statue that
doth euchant the world,' the wonderousy
beautiful Venus de Medicis, while the LAGOON
brings back the happy days Of our youth when
we read Virgil with such delight. The Dying
| Gladiator Is perfect poem 10 marble, while
gods and goddesses in forms of matchless love-
illness greet the eye at every step. The bronze
room is marvel of interest, and contains much
that is rare ADD curious. Retracng ones steps
from this world of ''deathless loveliness," and
ascend the broad stairway which leads US into
scenes of new delight A fine full length por-
trait of Mr. CorcoIan is the first to greet the
eye, standing as if to welcome each guest to
| this abode of beauty. The Picture Gallery COO.
talns many excellent works, the best, according
to my Judgment, an original, by AIRY Schefer,
illustrating one ofScher's ballads Al old man
weeping over the dead body of his only sou, the
pure upturDed face Of the youthful warrior aud
the uoutterable woe OF the grayhaired sire melts
one with every feeliog of tender compassion.
There must, of necessity, 10 such large collec-
ton OF pictures, be some which are not first
rate, but as nucleus around which will be
gathered all that is best and most worthy, it
deserves our sincere gratitude. There is small
crimson lined room, 10 which, as in shrine,
stands the original and exquisite figure of the
Greek Slave, by our American astist, Hiram
Powers, name of which we have such just
cause to be proud, ADD which, when mentioned
with those OF the most renowned makes not the
conjunction lnvidlous to him. As We linger 10
three lovely corridors gazing upon the beautiful
creations Of departed genius how the mind
klndies with enthusiasm at the thought of be-
ing able, when the dream of life has passed, to
leave some traces Of utility, some footprints on
the sands of time. Such place is calculated
to produce feelings aud aspirations of this kind
and may We not hope ior some results which
will prove our land not utterly devoid of erecu
the ability? Our?
CoRpULENT TRAvELL ERs- DR. Schwein-
turth, gravely discussing the question whether
white man-strong 10 that charmed lite
which most African tribes suppose him to pos
sess-could pass alone safely to the West Coast,
decides it 10 the affirmative, ut the traveller
were not too fat for fatness, whether u black
|
lips and rub their abdomeus, like that we'll
Known New Caedouiau chief who being asked
if be had seen corpuleDt Australian colonist,
0amcd Boyd, who had been wrecked on his
coast, said nothing but "Massa Boyd, him
berry fat man." significantly pstting at the
same time that cavity of his person iuto which
the unhappy colonist had descended.
MoNEY-LENDERs 10 France do not appear to
be able to follow their ancient calling with the
same amount of impunity as in some other
countries. A usurer named Wacrouier, living
at Lille, has just been fined 5000 francs for
lending money at an exorbtant interest to young
men under age He was, moreover, con-
demDed to pay the cost of the insertion of the
judgment in three papers aud its pacardiug on
the public walls.
The number CT sailing vessels has greatly in-
creased throughout the world since 1870, while
steady Increase is noted iu steamships. Ac-
cordng to report presented to the London