The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-10-12
NATIONAL INSTITUTE.
AMERICAN ARTISTS IN FLORENCE.

a Republic, sustained neither ny history nor by
reason. The basis oflileralure is material wealth
and mental freedom. Greece, indeed, produced Ho-
mer; England, Shakespeare Italy, Dante, and Ger
many the author Of the Nibeungen. These, indeed
are great uminaries but the very brightness of Their
solitary light only makes the darkness around them
more visible. Such minds appear only in semi
barbarous age in the early dawn of rising civil
zaton They vi never arise in the United States,
because country has not and cannot pass through
the only stage which produces them. America
sprang into being quite familiar with the of civ
llized life. The ages Of Pericles Of Augustus, of
Queen Anne, and of Louis XIV, shone only when
Greece, and Rome, and England, and France had
passed through successive centuries of progressive
civilization aud accumulatn! wealth. When the
Italian Republics monopolized the riches and com
merce Of the civilized world, not only statesmen
philosophers and poets in rapid and brilliant
succession, but the combined beauties Of aIchitc
ture, sculture, and painting were avshtd upon their
temples ard palaces and even apart fpm the re-
mains of ancient Rome, Ansonia is still the classic
ground Of Europe In Federal ysttm there 10 a
peculiar and an active which naturally retaids
the establishment Of national Literature. Nearly
the whole talent Of the country is required in the i'm
mediate service of the Repuolic--the Iobest
vice, by the way, to which,he energies ofa free cit
zen can be devoted. The Federal and local govern
ments demand the time and talents of hrge num-
Der of persons and hold out the highest hnors and
most tempting rewards TO the first spirits and most
gifted minds. Where courts Of justice so count
less religious sects numerous and clmaes
RED, law, theology and medicine present the strong
est inducements FIR the exclusive pursuit of those
learned professions Where education is Necessary
and desired by all, the instruction Of youth alb
serbs the time OF large number Of superior minds
Where the profits of commerce great, even the
counting. house divides with the closet the genius Of
those whom nature designed for poets, but whom
circumstances lure into the adventurous channels Of
trade. All these avenues of mental employment,
which Of immediate necessity, must first be filled
up before literary class be reared, before learn
ing will be pursued for its own sake and books be
written, Of yore, for lasting fame, and not for the
impression of an hour. In spite Of llese difficulties,
our country has in her green youth already produced
writers that may be safely admitted into the select
and exclusive circle Of the classics. be works Of
Irving, and Bryant, and others, are known wherever
the English language Is read. The profound and
philosophical history of Mr. Bancroft will soon be
translated into several Of the foreign languages, and
will be read in every kingdom Of Europe, where the
story Of free country admitted by the loc, laws.
An author has recently appeared inferior to who
have preceded him in the western world. The Eng
ish Reviewers unable to deny his merits aud yet
willing to admit his excellence, say that he is a
worthy follower of Robertson. Undoubtedly he has
| a.
date TO the Ednburg professor. In tn sense and 10
this only, Mr. Presco T. may, by very swk
wsrd phrase, be called a follower Of Robertson. But
for the accuracy of his fcts, the impartial spirit OF
his narrative the cearness OF ms dicton, the 1Ow
ease and classical Elegance OF his STYLE lar from
being the follower Mr.. Prescott is fully the equal If
not the superior, Of the Scotch historian.
While we have just reason to be proud Of the lite
rary wo Ks thus far produced by the American mind,
think it will SON be admit that have contr.-
bued portion to the fine arts, especially # sculp.
ture and aIntng. The citizen Of the United States
now visits the Tuscan capital with peculiar pride, be
cause the productions of American genus not
ly but ADM ed in that city If the In speak
ing Of American artists now 10 Florence, one would
naturally begin with Mr.. Greenough. lie has, how
ever been long ngsged in his profession has pro-
duced so many works well known on both sides Of the
Atlantic, that his mer Is as sculptor now fully
established. II was hIs good fortune to be reared IN
city possessed Of taste to perceive and liberaily 10
re ard talent in every branch OF literature and the
arts Intelligent friends sustained him in his earlier
efforts, and, by their influence, gave him the
rank which he epj ys. 1t does not delrac from
J the merits Of Mr. Greenough to call him the pioneer
Of American sculpture Anticipating as he does
with glowing pride the progress of his countymen in
that most elegant art such is the light in which Mir
Greenough would not only be willing, but would de
sire to be regarded BY poserity
At the other end Of the Union, afterwards APP
pcared q scuor, whose BIRTH according to Thor
wa sden i. an epoch in his art Destiny cast bis LOT
in a city which, though rapidly increasing in mum
bers had not then reached that point at which the
arts are admired with dscernment or rewarded with
liberality No troops Of kind friends thronged HI.
studio, public galleries eagerly contended FOR his
immortal works HIS tine was wasted, and his re.
Mus squandered upon the wsx-works of museum.
nd shows. Like mere mechanic he was forced
to work by the job, receive his wages by the day
Cincinnati could indeed produce scultor, but alas
in the Western Forence here was no DE Medicis 10
crown with golden lsurels the chse that made the
silent marble speak.
In one branch Of his art that Of buss, Mr.. Pow
ers, by common consent, has long been unrivslled
In the life-like fidelity with which he moulds
the human head il cannot even be said of any
living artist, Prorimus sd iOngo iniupuLo. lie j,
certainly the founder Of a new school, ln sculpture
as in every other art, the critics have established
certain srbray rules for The least violation OF which,
no excellence, in their judgment, can compensate
According to their canons only the simple the beau.
tiul and the grand can be admitted in sculpture -
The statue of an old man. they saw may indeed he