The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-02-11
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

Are Notes. rome Vases for the Car
tel Orounds-A Z Private Picture. sasI
isrs worth Of 0H Psi"siSgs-rh
\. GHarcH~socscss G"ssip"Whs
Our Washington Bellies re AbOma-
our YOung Hoods ON the Rnggc
Edge. etc.. etc.
From our regular Corresponding
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Feb. Z. &c.
ART NOTES.
The opening Of the Corcaran art ga
lcry. some years ago, gave decided an
wholesome impetus to the appreciation
and cultivation Of the fine arts Mt the ma
tional capital. Previous to that time
congress was sort of dry nurse to as
pring artists, and the capitol q scmi-cdl,
cational establishment, where the knight
Of the palette .could 90. and study-no
Turner and Van Dyck, II is true; bu
Trumbull and Vanderlyn, whose paint
Jugs have adorned the rotunda, 10! thi'
many year! Now the Curcaran art gal
lery, which is free and open to the public
three days IN the week, vies with the cap
itol, and successfully, too: for while it
has no painting on the magnificent scale
Of Powell's Battle on Lake Erie" 1t has
good many that are great deal smaller
and great deal better too and then 1t
has, besides. the advantage, that politics
never enter into the consideration when
q picture is to be bargained for, which Is
much more than can be said truthfully Of
the national picture gallery at the capt.
tai, where the political standing of an
artist DESTROYS of:obtaining connoisseur
is often enquired into with greater care
than his professional standing as an artist.
was led to these reflections because
just now, art matters form the chief
topic OF conversation and discussion
among that better class of society, whose
sole ambition Is not to overdO and out
dress their fellOwmen aud woman at pub.
lie halls and receptions. Fortunately,
though well filled with
has q fair ballast of people
who combine wealth with good taste and
good sense and very different in their
tenor are the latter circle as compared
with the former. The Hon. George Ban
croft, the eminent historian, stands Eat
lie head (now when the inimitable "Carl
Benson" has passed away of cote,'ie Of
most delightful people, without whom
hose Of us who, once in while, do get
tired OF receptions, Germans and "pud-
ding lunches, would pass but sorry cx-
istancc. Their homes are refreshing oa-
ses in the Sahara OF politics, intrigue, and
gayety that rules Washington, and one
frecr and thinks better OF the
world for their presence among Us.
BRONZE VASES FOR THE CAPITOL GROUNDS.
But rerenops a nos montcns. Besides the
works Of art now in the capitol, several
will shortly be placed outside Of 1t, and
among these a pairof magnificent bronze
vases measuring, each, six feet by ten !:
their upper edges standing about twelve
feet above the toot-paths which lead due
cast from the main portico OF The capitol.
Ono OF these vases, which is now In posi-
ton and will be unveiled in a few DAYS.
l had a peep at yesterday. 1t is oblong
in shape, deliberately decorated with
leaves and other appropriate designs. and
has been finished with the greatest care
and nicely. When filled las it is intended
to be- with lowering and trailing plants,
it will. with its mate opposite, form one
Of the most beautiful features in any OF
the public grounds, and will be r great
improvement to the approaches to the
capitol from the east. The cost OF these
two vases is about six thousand dollars
each, which is considerably less than the
cost of the famous bronze doors, that also
are among the attractions of the capitol
ono of which cost one hundred thousand
dollars, aud the other ilfly-ilvc thousand
The entire value Of the objects of art in
and about the capitol is between two and
three millions OF dollars but it should
be remembered that many of these OBJ
jects, now placed in the old hall of repre-
sentatives, are the gifts of several of the
States, New York having recently con-
tributel two, viz bronze statues, of
heroic size, Of Clinton and Livingston.
FORTY THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH or
OIL PAINTINGS.
a most interesting place to visit in
Washington, just now, Is the so-called
Stevenson collection OF paintings and
statuary, which is open to the public ev-
cry day in the week except Sunday. Mr..
Stevenson, who died in Paris In Deem.
Der last, was envoy extraordinary and
minister plenipotentiary Of the monarch
les of Sweden and Norway to this coun-
try; and during his long residence
abroad, previous to his appointment
to this country, he accumu.
lated one OF the largest and fines,
private galleries Of pictures and statuary
to be found In the United States. Ills
paintings, which are now on exhibition
and offered tor sale, attract large crowds
daily; and comnoisssurs are here from
Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and New
York with view TO investment. Nearly
every one Of the paintings Is by a famous
master, and rarely, indeed, is such gal
axy OF real works Of art been collected
together. Among recent purchasers OF
paintings from the collection are
Senator Edmunds or Vermont, Judge