The National tribune., 1886-03-11
WASHINGTON GOSSIP
The Weeks DOingS at the Ma
tiOnal Capital.
SOCIETY AND LENT.

tion or the peuitential period Its observance
is generally confined to partial cessation from
official receptions aud swell dinners, and a cor
respondingly more frequent attendance at
church and coming OF prayer books. Eggs
and fish appear oftener on the domestic bill of
fare but sefabnegation is not carried to the
point of violent efforts at fasting. Few suffer
themselves to be AN hungcred," or abstain to
any marked degree from the delicaces of the
season because 1t is Lent Social activity con-
tiuues, but in somewhat different way. Dur
ing this interregnum of comparative quiet so
far as prominent society events are concerned,
the lovers Of pleasure, who are deficient IN
their regard for the prescribed exercises that
tend to the promotion of godllness, keep up
the round of private hops and entertainments,
varied by frequent yielding to the allurements
of whist and progressive euchre. The White
House always sets a good example, by closing
lis doors during Lent, except to the informal
calls of personal friends The music of the
Marine Band is not heard within those historic
walls: the brilliant throng of fashion, in gor-
geous array, no longer moves about III the glare
of hundred gaslights. When Easter brings
release from the restraints OF Lent there is an
other blaze of social glory, and everybody
plunges in with an evident determination 10
make up for lost time This continues until
the ascending mercury in the thermometer
closes the season.
he JOINED THE PROCESSION.
Frederick Douglass, the best-knOwn colored
man in this country, has retired from the office
of Recorder of Deeds for the District Of Column
bia, which he has held for many years. Mr..
Douglass is an uncOmpromising Republican in
politics, and ever since the accession of the
Democratic party 10 National cont rol there has
been good deal of clamor for his removal. In
January last he rendered to the President his
resignation, and it was accepted to take effect
March 4-cXactiy one year from Mr.. Cleve-
lands Inauguration. The Office is - fat " one
paying about $1,000 per year, and for so we'll
known a partisan to hold it so long under a
politically hostile Administration would in past
years have been considered a marvellous thing,
doing violence to the time e-honored traditions
OF both parties. Mr. Douglass has been most
faithful and efficient officer, discharging his
duties to the entire satisfaction of the people
of the District, irrespective of party. lie IS
about 20 years of age, stoutly built. and with
great shock of white hair that, contrasting with
his dark skin, gives him an impressive appear
apce. His marriage to white woman year
and a half ago created q great social stir in
Washington. He intends to travel for year
or two in Europe.
The President has appointed as his successor
James c. Matthews, a colorcd lawyer, OF Al
bany n Y Mr.. Matthews has always been a
Democrat and an active politician. He is
personal friend of Mr.. Cleveland and Secretary
Manning, and was an ardent supporter of the
former during the last Presidential campaign.
There is disposition in Washington to COM
plain because resident of the District of CO.
lumbia was not appointed to the Office The
District is small, but has its full proportion Of
men who are oppressed by the feeling that the
country needs their services in well-paying
offices. in order that the ship of state may boom
along ON an even keel
PANORAMA OF SECOND BULL RUN.
Panoramas, as they are called. representing
scenes in the late war, have become very popu
lar Of late, and are permanently established in
many of our large cities They are not like
the panoramas of years ago, with moving can
vas and lecturer whose tongue kept up in
perfunctorv way, with the procession of scenes
end figures. The painting extends around the
interior OF a large circular building. the point
of view for spectators being a sort of tower or
elevated platform III the center. The artistic
effects produced. in the way of optical de-
ception as to distance and the reality of the
figures shown is marvellous. 1t is difficult for
the observer TO realize that he is not looking
out upon landscape that stretches away-hill
and valley and forest--f0r miles. The men and
horses, the cannon and mGskets the trees and
fences, all seem to be not painted representa-
tions, but actual objects, the full size of life.
The illusion is greatly assisted by real objects
earth, bushes rails, and the debris of the bat
tlefield-that occupy the space between the OBJ
servation tower and the canvas. You look
down from the railing and you see an actual
fence. There Is question as to its reality.
The eye follows its course until it is merged
into the painting. where il is continued by the
skillful hand OF the artist on the canvas. 1t
is scarcely possible for the keenest eye to de-
tect the point where the actual ends and the
limitation begins. 1t is the same with the
ground, the trees, and the various objects that
make up the scenes portrayed. In this respect
these panoramaS are triumph of skill and
ingenuity. No less can be said of the realistic
character of the pictures The deadly charge.
the burrying of eager supporting columns the
mad gailop of artillery dashng into position,
the skirinishers, the dead and wounded-all
have a semblancc of reality that it would seem
impossible 10 produce. To an old soldier they
have a fascination that words cannot describe.
One of these panorGmas was opened to the
public last week in Washington. 1t represents
what is usually known as the second battle Of
Manassas, or Bull Run, though designated in
old Confederate reports and papers as the bat
tie of GrovetOn. The particular scene por-
trayed is the fearful struggle at the railroad
cut or Aug. 80 1862, between Sykes's Division
of Regulars and the forces of Stonewall Jack
son. The painting covers a distance of more
than 20 miles. Looking toward the east are
the hills beyond Centerville while to the west
ward stretch away the Bull Run Mountains.
The terrible struggle of brave men for the
mastery Is depicted with a most vivid and
startling fidelity. The veteran Of the war re-
calls the scenes OF 20 years ago and as he looks
upon the picture he can almost hear the rattle
Of mHskctry, the roar Of cannon, the bursting
of shell, and the shouts of the charging bat
tallions. 1t is not easy TO imagine more per-
feet representation. There has been some dis
position or the part OF Union soldiers TO criti-
else the painting on the ground that il pictured
Confederate victory. 1t was believed by
many, before 1t was opened 10 the public that
the Union forces were shown in full rout and
confusion. Such is not the case, however. 1t
would be impossible to tell from the painting
which side has the advantage But in any
event no ore will question its merit as a work
Of art. II will be looked upon with interest by
old soldiers of both armies while to others il
will convey far more faithful and correct idea
of battle than can be gained in any other
way, except by actual participation. On the
opening night large number of invited spec
tators were present. Addresses were delivered
by Gen. S. :. Burdett, Commander-in- Chief of
the Grand Army of the Republic, and others.
THE ARMY APPROPRIATION
The amount fixed in the bill for the mainte-
nance Of the army during the next fiscal year
is $23, So, ,558 made up as follows: Pay Depart
ment Sl2, ,466, ,35S; Subsistence 50 046 030 Quar-
termaster's Department, So, 800, 800; Medical
Department $4,000; Engineer Department.
$4,000; Ordnance Department, $G45, 900: re-
cruiting service, 100000; contingent expenses.
$4,000. The total appropriation last year was
S24. .429052, and the appropriation made in the