Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-07-30

The Variations and anecdotes with which has
knowledge Of men md OF the world har stores
his memory, and which he often gave with
yrea, Beauty and dramatic eff.ct, were not un :
frequently employed By Mr.. Stuar, in way,
and with an address, prculiarto himself From
this store il was his custom TO draw largely
while occupied with his sitters--apParently Tor
their amusement; hu' his object was rather, DIV
thus banishing all restraint, TO call forth, II
possible, some in, o'uutary traits OF the natural
character But these glimp>es OF character,
mixed al they are in all men with so much that
BIT longs 10 their age and associates, would have
been Of little use 10 an ordinary observer, tor
the faculty Of Distinguishing between the ac'
ciden,sl and the permanent, in other words, be-
tween The conventional expression which al 5
from manners, s. that more SUBTLE indication oi
the individual mind, is indeed no common one:
and by no one with whom we are acuuain ed
was this faculty possessed In 80 remarKanie a
DIT gree. 1t was this which enabled him 10 AMI
mate his canvass-not with the appearance Of
mere general life but with that peculiar, dis
tincrivc life which separates the humbiest IN
dividual from his kiLd, lie seemed TO dive In
TO The thoughts Of mrn-f for they were made TO
rise, and to speak on the surface. Were other
evidences wanting, this talent alone were suih
since il is the privilege Of genius alone to mea
sure al once the highest and the lowest. In
his happier efforts no one ever surpassed HIM
in embodying (if we may so speak, ,h'sr tran
sicnt appari,ions of the soul. OF this, not the
least admirable instance is his Poru ali (pain'ed
within The las, four years. Of the late President
Adams, whose then bodily tenement seemed
rather 10 present ,he image of some dlapidar =
ed castle, than hat Of The ha5tation OF the "un-
broken mind;" bul rot such is the picture;
called forth as from lis crumbling recesses, the
living tenant is lhrre-still ennobling the ruin,
and-upholding it, as il were, by the strength OF
his own life. IN ,hi, venerable ruin will the
unbsnding Patriot and the gifted Artist speak
to posteri,y Of The first glorious century OIL our
Republic.
In word, Gilber, Stuart was, in its widest
sense, a philosopher in his Art: he thoroughly
understood its plincip pies; as his work bears
wilness--whe her as 10 the halmo"y OF ours,
or OF lines, Of light and shadow-shsw' wing
that exquisite sense Of ,cho!e, which only "a
man OF genius can realise and embody
We cannot close This brief notice without a
passing record of his generous bearing towards
his professional brethren. He never suffered
the man!ine,s Of his nature 10 darken with The
least shadow of jealousy; but where praise was
due, he gave il freely, he gave it too With a
grace which showed that, loving excellence Tor
it, own sake, he had pleasure in praising.
TO the younger artists he was uniformly kind
and indulgent, aud mos, liberal Of his advice;
which no one ever properly asked but he re-
c,Ivee and in a manner no less courteous than
Impressive. The unbroken kindness and
FRIEND, hip with which he honoured the writer
of this impt RECT sketch will never be iorgotte"
In the world of Arr, Mr.. Stuart has left a
void that viii not soon b. filled. And well
may his country say, "a great man has passed
from amongst u.s. but Gilbert Stuart has be-
quearhed her what i, paramount 10 po,cer -
since no power can command 1.-THE rich in
her,tance of his fame.
Boston Jrly II