Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-04-16


all his resources having been exhausted i
the tedious pursuit of his object. The il
fated artist was afterwards doomed to tn
guillotlne as the author or patron, guilt
or suspected, OF the E,)ernai machine con
trived for the destruction of Napoleon
The bust of Mr.. Jefferson, still at Monticello
is the work of this sculptor, and as far as we
can Judge, is well worthy Of his high re-
putation. s.
To
SIR,
Herewith you will receive the descrip-
ton of a monument proposed TO be erect
ed to the American Revolution, and the
plan by which the means for theundertak-
ing are TO be provided.
Those who truly admire the great event
which established the liberty of this coun-
try, and who wish TO see the blessing che
rished by all who may be heirs to it, will
need no eXhortation to contribute their
reasonable aid to work, which is so well
calculated to blend with the glory of the
present, a, lesson to future, generations.
Among the means employed by the wi
sest and most virtuous people, for nourishing
and perpetuating the spirit of freedom and
patriotism, monumental representations are
known to be amongst the most ancient, and
perhaps, not.the least influential. And as
it is the happiness of this country to enjoy
an occasion, more glorious and more au-
spicious to it, than has been the lot of any
other; there ought to be felt pride, as
well as satisfaction, in concentrating it,
by spectacle as unrivalled as the occa-
sion itself. Should the plan, now offered,
be successful, this object will be fully at
tanned for it may, without hazard, be af-
frmed, that no similar work of equal mag
nitude and merit, can be boosted by the
nations most distinguished for their mu-
ni6cent zeal in rendering the fine arts
auXiliaries to the cause Of liberty.
Although it was deemed proper to pro-
vide for an eventual assumption of the
monument and the expense, by the go
vernment Of the United States yet it was
necessary, both as an immediate and a
certain resource, to appeal to the patri-
otto Gberality of individuals. In one
view it may be particularly desirable, that
the monument should be founded on vo-
luntay and diff'usive contributions. The
event to which it is dedicated, the en-
blems of which it is composed, and the eff
feet which it is meant to produce, have all
an intimate relation to the rights and hap
piness of the people. Let it be common
ced then, not through the organ of the go
vernment, as political act !; but in mode
which will best testify the sentiments
which spontaneously glow in the breasts of
republican citizens.
The artist, contemplated for the work,
is MIR. Ceracchi, of Rome who, inhuen-
ced by admiration for the revolution, and
by desire Of Distinguishing himself as
the instrument of erecting a monument
worthy of so great subject, came to the
city Of Philadelphia in 1871, with design
to prosecute the undertaking, if sufficient
means could be found. Since that peri
cd, he has prepared the model, of which
the description is annexed. The model
of itself evinces the capacity, genius and
taste of the author: and concurs with 9TH
er proofs of his distinguished qualifications,
TO inspire a wish that he could be enabled
to execute his plan. The material of the
monument, is to be statuary marble; its
height one hundred feet; its clrcumfe-
renee three hundred feet; the height ofthe
principal figure fifteen feet, and the others
of various proportional dimensions. 1t is
computed that ten years will be required to
complete it.
A hope is entertained, that the public
spirit of the citizens of the United States,
seconded by taste for the fine arts, will
induce them not to suffer to escape so fair
an opportunity of raising a lasting monu-
ment to the glory of their country and
that sufficient number will be found rea-
dy to furnish. by subscriptions, the neces-
sary sums. The confidence which is pla-
ced in your personal disposition, to for
ward the commendabe design, has point
ed you out, among few others, for soli-
citing and receiving the subscriptions, and
is the apology for imposing the task upon
you.
"A description Of the monument conse-
Grated to liberty.
The goddess of liberty is represented de-
scending in car drawn by four horses,
darling through volume of clouds, which
conceals the summit of a rainbow. Her
form is at once expressive of dignity and
grace. In her right hand she brandishes
a flaming dart, which, by dispelling the
mists Of Error, eliminates the universe
her left is extended in the attitude oil
calling upon the people of America to
listen to her voice. A simple pilcus CO.
vers her head {; her hair plays unconGnec
over her shoulders; her bent brow ex.
presses the energy of her character he
! lips appear partly open, whilst her awfu
voice echoes through the vault Of heaven
in favor of the rights Of man. Her drape
ny is simple; She is atired in an ancien
cb[nmus, one end Of which ia confined nm