Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-12-16

gallery of wax figures was prepared by the
young artist, who, at a later date, carving
out the poetic fancies of Dante, executed
the " Internal regions,n which has formed
so long department of the museum
Whatever fame and profit these might bring
the proprietor, they furnished bare suhsis-
tence TO Powers, who stru ggled along as
he best might, until his preparations in this
line brought him under the notice of Nicho-
las Longworth, of this city, who advanced
him several hundred dollars, TO take HIM to
Italy, that he might have an opportunity of
drinking in inspiration at the great fontaiu
of fine arts. Ii was arranged that he should
model such busts in plaster of Paris as
might he offered him to execute at WASH
ington city, TO which place he had intlueu-
tial letters-the result of which probably
would he that he would receive orders for
marble busts, the part payments on which
was to afford money enough for his expen-
SEES on the voyage and in Italy, until he should
| he able 10 commence his regular course as
an artist there. He left Cincinnati. accord
ingly, in 1884, and reached Washington
city during the session of Congress in 1884
aud '35.
Here as elsewhere, hitherto, the unobtru-
sive merits of Powers were thrown into
shade, by the superior knowledge of the
world and consummate impudence of Per-
sico aud others, who had for years monopo-
! lied the favor and patronage of the popular
authorities, under the popular notion enter
tanned there aud elsewhere, that we had no
American sculptors fit to excel in the higher
branches of The art. Not that Mr.. Powers
was totally destitute of friends who could
appreciate these merits. Robert L. Iytle,
then our representative in Congress was one
of those, and omitted no opportunity that
offered, of bringing the extraordinary genius
of his fellow citizen into notice. In the
course of that year, MIR. Powers was enga-
ged in taking plaster busts of Presiden,
Jackson, John c. Calhoun, Martin Van Blu
rem, John Marshall, John @. Adams, Lev
Woodbury., Senator Benton, and other pub
| lie characters. The execution of these
brought the artist, ut last, into some degree
of notice, and prepared the way for his oh
tanning orders for large amount of marble
busts, both at Washington aud elsewhere ut
the East. Among these were those of Alb
bot Lawrence and his wife, Daniel Webster,
our own Judge Burnet, and Martin Van
Buren,. A private subscription of members
! of Congress and others, empowered him 10
execute one of Old Hickory, and Congress
gave him authority to finish one of Chief
Justice Marshall. For this last ne was al
lowed $500, although every bust executed by
Italian artists, of however inferior merit,
had cost thousand. For the others hc was
only TO receive $500 each. This was the
measure at that date, of the appreciation OF
the genus of Powers, who has since done
so mach to make this country known in Italy
and indeed in Europe.
! A brief anecdote win close this number
on Hiram Powers. DR.. Somerby, of this
city, had given the artist n letter of intro
Iduction TO Daniel Webster, who was at the
time, the Representative of Massachusetts
in the u. S. Senate in which he commended
the skill and taste of Powers in high terms
Mr.. w. read the letter, and promised a Wis
it to the studio of the sculptor. The visit
however, never occurred. On enquiry, Mr..
S. ascertained that fact, and highly indignant
at the neglect, equally insulting as he con-
sidered il to himself and Powers, immedi-
ately wrote caustic letter to the Senator,
in which, referring TO the two individuals,
he observed, "that the fame aud name OF
! Hiram Powers would be world wide when
those of Daniel Webster would be forgot
ten" This was strong language, taking
into view the high opinion the writer had
ever expressed Of the distinguished States
man, and the yet unacheved position of the
sculptor, and it had the effect of tnking Mr..
! w. at once to the lodgings of the artist,
where every apology was made for the neg
lect.-Cisps .9duertiser