re a mighty and decisive conflict between
these persistent combatants. This Mr. Pryor pronounced impossible,
asserting that "in every element of national strength and happiness
Russia is great and prosperous beyond any other country in Europe,"
and that the United States and Russia, instead of becoming enemies,
"will consolidate and perpetuate their friendly relations by the
same just and pacific policy which has regulated their intercourse
in times past." This article was very distasteful to the Democratic
readers of the _Union_, and the editor denounced it. Mr. Pryor
came back at him in the _Intelligencer_, declaring that he was not
the eulogist of the Russian Empire, but setting forth at great
length the good-will of Russia toward the United States, and
especially announcing that "in Russia the maudlin, mock philanthropy
of _Uncle Tom's Cabin_ is an unknown disease." It was the general
belief in Washington that Mr. Pryor had been inspired by some one
connected with the Russian Legation.

Old Madeira wine has always been very popular in Washington,
especially on the tables of their Honors the Justices of the Supreme
Court. For many years supplies were obtained from the old mercantile
houses in Alexandria, which had made direct importations prior to
the Revolution. During the Fillmore Administration many Washington
cellars were replenished at the sale of the private stock of wines
and liquors of the late Josiah Lee, of Baltimore. Fifty demijohns
of various brands of Madeira were sold at prices ranging from twenty-
four dollars to forty-nine dollars per gallon; and one lot of twenty-
two bottles commanded the extreme price of fifteen dollars and
fifty cents per bottle, which at five bottles to the gallon is at
the rate of seventy-seven dollars and fifty cents per gallon.

Mr. Brady came from New York and opened a "daguerrean saloon" at
Washington, and the dim portraits produced on burnished metal were
regarded with silent astonishment. Up to that time the metropolis
had been visited every winter by portrait and miniature painters,
but their work required long sittings and was expensive. The
daguerreotypes, which could be produced in a few moments and at a
comparatively small cost, became very popular, and Brady's gallery
was thronged every morning with distinguished visitors. Mr. Brady
was a man of slight figure, well proportioned, with features somewhat
resembling the portraits of Vandyke. He possessed won