The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1883-06-02
OUR GoosEQulLL LETTERS.


Meeting of the Quakers-yvm. Penn's
Honse-A Damage Suit Congressman
Thompson's Acquittal-Proposed Col
ored Convention-Litt1e Lolita, etc.
PHILADELPHIA, May l9, 1888.
The celebrated SharpIess portraits of
General and Lady Washington were for
sometime on exhibition in Earle's Art
Emporium, Chestnut street. They are
owned by an English gentleman into whose
family they came BY Inheritance. One is
told that they are merely on exhibition in
this country to enable Persons to Judge of
the genuineness of the autotype copies,
which can be had for s$25; but the truth is,
they are for sale and the price is ono hun
dred and fifty thousand dollars. They
ought to belong to this country, but fear
the price will not be paid. They are three
in number: a face and profile of the
General and a profile of Mrs. Washington.
Mr.. Sharpless, an English artist, was an
inmate of the Washington home for some
time in 1856, and while there painted these
portraits He had abundant opportunity
to study the faces and catch natural ex-
pression-the every day look as it we're
and certainly they are the very best like
nesses ever taken of the General: better
than Stuart's. Every one agrees that they
have more natural complexion than
Stuart's, and I think they combine more of
heroic manhood with the beneyolence of
the Generals face. The profile of the
General is in citizens dress, and altogether
is so very different from the stereotyped
likenesses of him that it is particularly
| attractive. Mrs. Washington is dressed in
the typical lace cap and muslin neckerchief
which always lend such charm to her
pictures; her face is lovely, suggestive of
gentleness and loftiness of nature. They
were both in their Gath year, but she does
not appear so old. Theportraits have been
wonderfully well preserved and look as
fresh as if done very lately. They were in
this country once befotp-at the New York
Historical Society Exhibition. never en-
joyed looking at any thing more and turned
away full of regret that they were not to be
retained in one of our great cities.
Earle's establishment exhibits from time
to time some very fine oil paintings and
engravings. A very beautiful, large oil
painting there now is ,the death bed scene
of the lovely Elaine, who so unfortunately
misplaced her love.
The Quakers, Friends as they are called,
have been IN council this week. They have
RI 1o1
| adopt means to increase fervor and devo-
ton to their form of belief, is one of the
subjects before the council. The women
speak in meeting, contrary to the advice of
St. Paul. Elizabeth 1listlewaithe made a !
very good address and was one of COM
mittee of three to investigate whether
Friends were clear of the manufacture and
sale of Intoxicating liquors; whether thew
discouraged the use them; whether the
necessities of the poor were relieved and
were they rendered necessary assistance in !
business; whether the children were care
fully sent to Friends school; whether
hlreling ministry, bearing arms, training or
other military services, selling or dealing in
lotteries were discouraged and frowned |
upon; whether Friends were careful to live |
within their means and keep to moderation |
in their business and trade. prompt to keep |
their promises and just in tho payment of |
their debts; whether care was taken to deal |
with offenders in a spirit of meekness and |
impartiality, and had judgment been put |
upon them on the authority of truth. Re- |
ported favorably all the way through, and |
in most cases afiirInatively. Actually clear |
of the manufacture, sale and use of liquor!
All they ask in the way of strong drink is |
cider. They use tobacco, but at the same
time condemn it. Their principles certain |
ly can be commended, however, much we
may dlsapprove their creed Or style of
dress. Few religious bodies can make as |
fair show Of morality as the Quakers.
Hearing that the house that was built for |
William Penn was to be torn down, went |
to take last look at it. It is the Oldest |
brick house in Philadelphia, and located on
narrow street near the Delaware river
the bricks were brought from London. It |
is small one story and q half house, and [ |
suppose IN that day was considered grand |
Latterly it has been used as a tavern and |
beer shop. Think Of the desecration! It is |
to be removed with an adjoining piece |
of property to give place to warehouses;
but it is not to be destroyed. Philadelphia
always ready and anxious to preserve !
colonial and national relics determined to |
have it reerected in the Park. The Park |
Commissioners move it and place it there |
at a cost OF $3.50.
The suit of Mark Spicker, a travelling |
salesman, against the Pennsylvania railroad, !
filed in 1881, has just been decided Mr. |
Spicker was going from Philadelphia to |
Williamsport. He presented to the conduc- |
tor the return slip Of an excursion ticket |
from Williamsport to Philadelphia; the |
ticket was accepted. At Harrisburg an |
other conductor was taken on who refused |
the ticket and elected the gentleman from |
the train, in the open country and in a
driving rain. Splcker got an attack of |
bronchitis, but probably more mad than !
hurt, sued for 5000 damages and got that |
amount. Perhaps the Pennsylvania rail- |
road will conclude it is Il little bit of Il |
serious thing to put men off the train with |
out good cause.
The news of Congressman p FL. Thomp- |
sons acquittal creates no surprise. / sup |
pose man is expected to shoot down the |
seducer of his wife like a dog and no jury |
would hang him: but I can not see how the !
honorable gentleman has mended matters. ]
He has not restored his wife to his home i
and heart, and he has not insured to his |
mind peace and happiness. He has only |
tarnished his soul with human blood, made |
the past more terrible and the memory |
thereof more bitter-that is ell!
The Negroes held a meeting few nights !!
ago to discuss the rights and future of their /
race. They express dissatisfaction, not only |
with the state of things in the South, but !
feel themselves very indifferently treated in |
the North Will conventions and meetings !.
help matters? VIII not the ballot effect |
more? It viii cost $4,000 to hold con |
vention in Washington. Could not the
money be used to better advantage in other |
ways? Is not the Negro sufficiently pro
tected by law in his civil rights, and are not |
his. educational advantages pretty fair? !
Those who are disaffected had best read {
Richard Greener's letter to the New York I
Sun. | think he presents the facts very /
clearly and sensIbly.
Everybody's pet, the sprightly, lovely |
little Lotta, has been delighting good au- /
Hon II 10 Chastr,z,r l. [