The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1880-03-11
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
LFRosI OUR REGULAR coRREspoNr ~

.
Coreoran's Art Gallery is one Of our
most bigbly-prized institutions. Within
its portals are gathered many as pun
specimens Of high art as can be fouu /.
in America, aud Washingtonians ar
always proud to show visiting friends
these aesthetic treasures, since they are
part Of the public store provided to
crafty cultivated tastes. They belong
to the public, inasmuch as Mr.. ". w.
Corcoran has seen fit, in his philsn-
thropie spirit, to spend million Of dol
lars IN erecting the gallery, in purchas-
ing whatever is in IL and in eudoViu. E
IL IL such manner as will ensure u9-
only its perpetuation, but constant AL.
nuai additions; and, after all this. in do
mating it to the city for the perpetual
free use Of all who wish to enjoy it
No place in the city is more visited by
citizens and strangers, nor is there any
object Of interest in whose welfare d
deeper regard is felt than for &c. 1fr.
! Coreoran has always desired 10 extend
the benefits or sphere Of his gift by
adding school of design to it, and yes
has always been baked in Carrying out
his design by his inability to secure adj
Jacent grounds on which to erect tEs
requisite building. Admiral Lee, re-
tired officer of the navy, owns a vacau5
lot Immediately in the rear OF the
Art Gallery, but will neither ssiI. i'm
prove, or give it away. Mr.. Corcorau
recently repeated an offer, made origi-
nally ten years ago, to purchase, bu. The
Admiral refused to name a sum there
upon Mr.. G. offered to take the lot al a
price to be fixed by any three real estate
agents selected by the Admiral, aud
would pay 20 per cent additions upon
their appraisemeut. This CHER was
eurtly declined; so we are to be deprived
of our school Of design through .he su-lv
old-fogyism Of an antiquated specimen
of humanity. Washington is afflicted
with many of these Bourbons. who are
as destitute Of public spirit as so many
misers, and who enact the role Of dog
In the manger whenever any public
good is to be subserved through part.ng
with portion Of their property. They
own aud retain old tenement rookeries.
hiled with the worst portion Of our DOB.
ulatiOni they hold on to vacant r1..
right In the midst Of the better portions
Of the city, which serve to galher ace
eumulations Of filth and offal. To everv
wise they stand as fixed monuments az
the lack Of spirit and progress which
curses every community afflicted with
them. Admiral Lee, as a stipeI diary Of
the people, doubtless regards himself as
on tie same footing with an inmate "
poor house, who, in being subject of
support, should not be called on b. 5ssr
any public burden or to eontriaate 10
the good or well-being of Other Bis
province, like that Of the pauper. Is 10
receive, not to give.
We have heretofore written OF tbea at-
tempted shooting, on New Yea Dav.
Of Senator Morgan's son by a Mis- Hor-
ton and Of her subsequently entering
suit against him for breach Of promise
with claim Of $1,000 damage. The
trial Is now in progress, aud strange de-
velopments appear in the evidence Of
fered by the defendant. She 81 uu-
dergoing a fearful ordeal at vours
Morgau's hands, as ne denies all her al.
legations, and is making q stronr case
against her. Il is not safe here to es-
pouse the cause Of a woman simply be-
cause she is a woman, or because She
charges some man with outrage. Scores
of Senators aud Representatives viIi not
risk the receiving Of ladies alone, under
well-grounded fear of subsequent at
tempt to levy blackmail if given the
slightest opportunity for an attack. Il
is not time, as yet, to place Miss Horton
among this INSCRIPTIONS class, dauag-
ing as the evidence is agains her a.
present.
Brumidi, the artist, so justly eele-
brated for his wonderful talent for fresco
painting, died on the 18th inss. at his
residence here. He came to the United
States from Italy in 1913, being driven
from that country through becoming
involved in the political troubles Of that
eventful year. But it was not until 1854
that he visited this city. General AIeies.
who then had charge Of the public
buildings, permitted him to decorate the
room of the House Committee on Azri-
culture. The talent displayed in choice
of subjects for his brush, aud in tbeir
execution, at once attracted great atten-
tion, and led to his permanent emulov-
ment. He has devoted all his energies
to the work of decorating the Capitcl.
and the whole building is illuminated
by his magic touch. The lower corri-
dors and committee-roomso of the Senate
wing afford fascinating studies for every
lover of art. A perfect panorama Of
American birds and animals, painted 10
the perfection of life color, adorn the
walls on every hand. The Immense A.
legorieal painting under the dome. the
nuge belt OF frescOing upon the frieze Of
tue roluudai representing scenes iu tue
early history Of America, with other
lrescoes In other parts Of the building.
attest not only his faithfulness, bat his
great genius. The frescO OF the rCtunda
lrieze Is left half finished, but be had
completed his cartoons for the re-
maiuder, so that no incOngrUity can
come in rs q result of his loss This
painting has a wonderful optiCll iiiu-
sion in It, No one looking up 8 30 from
the r0tuuda floor can apprec ate that
{ ha fiuurag nf men annQarIuu HrAra ri