Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-06-30
CFrom the -Ftp York PI,beisn.J

That admirable statue presented to the American
people, by Captain Levy, of the United States Navy,
which formerly stood in the Rotunda of the Capitol,
has been placed in front of the Presidents housed
we'll selected spot-conspcu presenting the image
of the patriotic cheer such Of his successors TO the
Chief Magis,racy of the Union shall pursue, unin-
undated by the camours Of the arsocracy, the lus
rous path marked out to them for their guidance by
his glorious footsteps-to rebuke such us may stray
from it, The statue Of Jefferson is one OF the master
works OF David. In addition to the perfection Of what
Artists have termed COMPOSITION, we perceive, az Inc
first glance, that the Sculptor has not fallen into the
error, (too prevalent among the disciples OF CanovaD
of fancying, that mere imitation of Nature always
falls short of the object initiated, and that 10 make the
copy equal in ills effects, it necessary to give IT some
advantage over its model. He believed, on the con-
rary that 'ideal beauty. in modelling The features of
historical fabulous characters, was best obtained by
presenting such gifted beings to the nation that claimed
their image, nearly possible, such as they remain
embodied in the membranes OF their conlempora
RES Nor is fidelity TO nature and truth, exclusive OF
beauty, even grace ancient statuary mas sig-
nally shown in the Arstides now in The Museum OF
Napes-not, grant, the unearthly beauty OF Apollo,
or the youthful grace of the An,nous-not the beauty
of expressive features, lighted by the consciousness
Of noble daring The grace ever attendant on the
performance of generous acts-n the sense we auach
the meaning of the words beauty and grace, the one
and the other happily combined-both the counte-
nance, and the attitude Of the American statesman-a
Just proportion, = manly ease of bearing, invest his
limbs. The high purpose of his mission kindles IN
his eye-by following Nature, the Artist has best DIS
played the full power of Art.
David. has shown more good taste, IN departing from
the rule which has long governed modern stauaries,
by representing Jefferson in the costume OF the time
which the subject indicates than the American scup.
did, who, in compliance with it, has thrown antique
ves.mens over Washington. David was aware that,
though it be true, that dsagreeeby Impressed,
while viewing the portraits, OF our immediate an
cestors, dressed in manner which, the incessant
changes of fashion in modern hlbiment render un.
couh TO eyes, yet this effect is not produced when
the mind seeks, with eager curiosity on the chiselled
marble, or the breathing canvass, the visible embodi.
ment of heroes, sages, whose images, deeply en-.
eraved in the memory, always recur, united with all
the familiar associations Of their wonted costume.
Its Marengo, with the long doubtful strife OF IFS
well fought held-it is the Sun of Austerlitz GROWING
with augural brightness the brow of the young Empe
rorit Jena, Prostrating one ieli oo~ te iaoor
ously constructed power OF Frederic, which the yete
ran soldier sautes when he sees the Napoleon of the
Column Vendome, in the same dress he wore on the
fields of fifty battles.
II is the independence Of world-lhe future OF
countless generations we read the inspired features
of The sage, as egiby written there, they are in
bronze letters, on The unrolled paper, held in the
hand OF the author Of that immortal appeal Of op.
pressed people, 10 the sympahes of all civilized nations
We fear much that the pious devotion Of the muni6
cent donor Of that statue 10 the fame OF great man
has not been accounted merit by those who would fair
have inflicted on Captain Levy punishment SO dis
proportioned to the venal offence of which he
cused: but that the President Of the United States
that OCCASION with the same frmness which averted
from the American people the calamity Of another 6sca
experiment, rebuked The vndctve cruelty Of their sen
and preserved TO the country the services OF
mertorous officer.
1t was Captaia Levy who directed the sculptor re-
IF fhoo fatn I'D n. ley
ed his satisfaction at the suggestion Editor JEFF Rep
Seventeen thousand Six Hundred and Fifty-Fou
Passengers we're carried the Eastern Railroad las
week, exclusive Of the military, who must have adde
4 thousand more On Saturday SO trains were ru
from A. NJ till half past at night, without accident