The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-06-30
FOR THE MADIsoNIAN.
NATIONAL INSTITUTION.
To F. MARxoE, Esq, Corresponding Secretary Of The
National Institution.


few words on subject which hope will not be
found uninterestng.
The Institution has become the possessor Of per-
traits on canvass or in marble plaster, OF several
distinguished men of our own or Of other countries,
which, together with some valuable productions OF
ancient art also in its collection, may form the ma
terials for school Of painting, sculpture and en-
craving in this metropolis. These acquisitions have
been, believe, all made at the expense OF lndyldu-
al members of the Institutions; and my object now
TO indicate a way, in which the generosity of It's
friends and associates may be rendered productive OF
great good to ITSELF and through it, to Il country at
large.
We have lately seen placed in the Capitol, noble
work Of art-a monument truly national, commem-
Grating alike the character and virtues of great
est man. and the genius and taste of our highest ar
tst 1t is scarcely necessary to say that allude to
the statue Of Washington, by Greenough. There is
likewise in our country another representation IN
marble of the features and form of Washington,
which is still more precious; mean that by Houdon,
standing in the Capitol of Virginia, at Richmond and
to this statue my present observations particularly
directed.
On the 22d of June, 1884, Immediately after the
termination of the of Independence, the Legisla-
ture of Virginia passed resolution, empowering the
Executive Of the State to procure statue of Gen.
Washington, ''to be of the fnest marble, and of the
best workmanship" and the direction of the BUSH
ness having been committed by the Governor to DIR.
Franklin and Mr.. Jefferson, the diplomatic represen
atives of the United States at Paris, HoUDoN, then
the first sculptor Of the age was, at his own earnest
solicitation, engaged to perform the work The ar
tist accordingly came over to America, in company
time at Mount Vernon employed in making the
models drawings and observations necessary for the
purpose, he returned to Paris, where he completed
the statue which is now the ornament of Richmond
and the pride of Virginia. In it we see Washington
as he appeared shortly before the adoption of the
Constitution with the lofty yet benevolent ex-
pression and in the same costume, rather dignihed
than graceful it must be acknowledged, which he
wore at that period. Its merits as work of art
have not been questioned and the accuracy of the re-
semblance has been attested by all who were quail
fled to pronounce an opinion upon that point.
1t is not, however my object-mercly TO praise the
statue at Richmond, or to institute any comparison
between it and that which graces the Capitol here.
Though differing totally in style and in effect they yet
are both invaluable Houdon has presented the form
and features of Washington as they were, when he
stood among his feow-ctizens; Greenough has en-
deayored to connect feelings orespect for his
mory with those Of admiration for the grand and beau
ul in art My object is to direct the attention of the
National Institution, and of the public to the danger
to which the statue at Richmond is constantly ex-
posed; and TO suggest that this association should
adopt measures to to poserty the same salts
faction which we now derive from contemplating
that work.
The Capitol at Richmond, in which Houdon's sta.
tue is placed is with due respect to my native State,
but crazy building 1t requires constant propping
and patching, and its interior is composed chiefly OF
combustible materials, which flash from cloud
or spark from candle, may in few minutes con-
vert into ashes. Should this building be consumed The
statue inevitably, like that by Canora at Raleigh, be
utterly destroyed and thus the best, the only good
original portrait Of Washington will have passed
away. The descendants of those generous and patri
otto Vrgnians, who honored themselves and their
State by the acquisition of this monument, are bound
TO provide for its preservation, by removing it with
out delay to some spot where it will be from
the effects of accident or malice-Gt has already
thing may easily be done prevent the loss, if it
should occur, from being irreparable and let the
National Institution have the honor of per ormng
| that duty.
For small sum, not exceeding three hundred
dollars mould in plaster Of the whole statue might
be made, from which many casts in the same mate
rial fac sines of the original, could be produced
and each Of these casts might in of the desruc
ton of the original, serve as model for new sta
tue, either marble or in bronze, scarcely inferior
to that which came from the hands of Houdon. Co
pies might thus, at little expense, be obtained in eve
ry part of the Union. Each courthouse might have
its plaster cast, and each metropolis or large town its
statue in bronze in marble, offering daily to the
! contemplation of its inhabitants the calm and noble
features Of him whose memory should be forever
vered am ng us. That the authorities of Virginia
shouldreluse to allow such mould to be made cannot
be anticipated; and if their permission can be OBJ
tanned, to what object more honorable or more use
full than this could the generosity Of the members and
friends of the National Institution be directed?
1t is unnecessary for here to speak of the mea
sures which should be taken to carry this suggestion,
if it should be approved, into execution or of the
modes of disposition of the casts which would be
most advantageous to the Institution and to the pub
lie. Whether or not the suggestion be approved, |
cannot but entertain hope that my remarks may
have some effect in inducing the authorities of Vir-
gnia to provide for the safety of the treasure of
which they are the guardians.
! / would, however, before concluding, make one
more observation connected with the subject Of this
paper The statue of Washington, by Canova, was,
as all know, destroyed by the coniagraton of the
State-house at Rlegh, in which it was placed, The
State of North Carolina has since raised upon the
spot building inferior to none in this country IN
beauty of design and material and i'm durability in