Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-01-20

fering martyr in the cause" but az a worthy
man, and distinguished artist, who needs the
sympathy and assistance Of his country. Much
has been said and written with great justice, by
the most intelligent men, to extol his high tai.
ents and genius but all this satisfies no real
demand Of nature. 1t neither puts food into the
mouths Of his children, nor clothes upon their
backs. Praise is well, but patronage is better.
1t has been said, to his injury, that he receives
the highest price for his busts of any artist in
Europe, and hence people infer that he is get.
ting an ample return for all the heads he brought
abroad with him, and that he is consequently
making money. Such is not the fact. On the
contrary, half the busts he has to execute are
undertaken at such low prices that they are ac-
tually cause Of pecuniary loss to him. For
some Of his busts he does indeed receive libe-
raj compensation-b these are very few.
Mr.. Powers is now about commencing his
famous statue of Eve in marble, very impor.
tant undertaking, for which he has no commits
| sion-he is also just modelling another beauti.
| full ideal work for which he has no commission.
mention these things to show you how he is
kind aid to save him from penury. 1t is Of the
highest importance to the honor Of our country
that he should not be interrupted in his career,
that he should be enabled to 60 on. Pardon me
for mentioning here the fact that the United
States have given large and liberal commissions
to foreign artists, who are as inferior to her own
as darkness to light. The Government has done
ths,-the people have done it also, to their
shame be it spoken, while their own artists, with
the little they could collect together of earthly
goods, have been driven all over the globe to
gain subsistence. For, those who have not
been despised, have been neglected, at home
while contemplate Italian, German, and other
inferior foreign artists have been carressed by
, our people. These things have known, ant
, my heart aches when recall them. tell you
, truth when say that the best artists both ir
painting and in sculpture, in Rome and in Flor
ence, are Americans-yet they are not known
by their own countrymen.
Now, my dear sir, beg you to Recommend
this matter to your people, that they may give
one of their noblest sons chance to try hi
strength. urge this as well on account of hi
!, acknowledged worth and the claim he has upol
d the sympathy and kind regard Of his country
s men, as from sense of his present destitute
v condition. His warm heart ever dwels wit
pride upon his beloved Vermont, and he woul
fan have his works there also. know go
, will sympathize with his feelings, and for IN
own part, l should rejoice to have somethin
. done for him during your administration. Per
II haps should say here that write this lette
: without the knowledge of Mr.. POWERS, solel
IS from the interest feel in him and his work.
1t and an anxiety that he should be encourage
=, and assisted by his own countrymen.
v Should you find moments leisure, you wi
confer very great favor by writing me on thi
:. subject. I shall probably remain in Florence
year or two, and, if there is any way in which
can serve you, please let me know it. My d
l. rection is simply Florence, Italy, via New Yor
l. and Havre.
lie With sentiments of the highest esteem an
10 every kind wish for your health and prosperit
Is ain, dear sir,
Your ob't. humble servant,
:. (Signed) H.K. BROWN. (Sculptor.)