The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-01-24

want had right 10 claim repose OF body and mind, Mr
Walker will have al the close OF the present admlnsira
ton We sincerely trust that his health has been restored
Powers Greek slave.
We have seen this day, the statue which may be like
wise called the statue which charms the world" We
have no time to dwell upon its beauties; nor have we
words sufficient to express admiration ltbest speaks
its merits. Every one OF any taste in Washington
ought to visit it. We proud TO such living pro
duction of art scuptured from marble We still
prouder to know that it emanates from tn chise OF
American artist.
There deLcacies in the execution OF ii which strike
the most ordinary observer But all the outlines OF the
fgurethe swell of all the musces-the wrinkles OF the
turned neck-the very dimpes at the elbows-the fine
finish of the head lad face-the whole contour, from
the exquisite proportion of the bosom 10 the position
of the very toes and finger nails-are calculated
| it seems, to defy the incest scrutiny of the anato
mist There is partvof the body or OF the ex
tremities, and feature of the facenor even in tb
nice finish of the inside of the ear which does not dem IT.
the and elaboration of the mastery artist Tn,
statue stands erect five feet five inches in height, hch
with the chain that binds the hands of the ST. AVE. the
cap that the exqusey wrong mt Jacket
and ma ate with the person of the statue is sculpurec
OF singl block of pure Seavezza maible But w,
must DIR OPP the description We feel ourselves incompe
describe this chef deupre of the arts The moral
expression of the features and the figure is as strk
ing the physical structure. There she stands,
(says Dr. Dewey, in his most beautiful description
"with form less volupuous than the Venus di Medic
but, if possible, beautiful to my eye; manacbes
clasp Iaer wrists, and chain unes them her head
turned aside little; and then her ace-I cannot de-
scribe It'll only say that there is the finest mag in
able Union OF intellectual beauty, touching Sadness and
in the upper lip the slightest possible CURL Just enough ia
express mingled dsdan and resignation The thought of
fate seems to be in her face; and perhaps nothing
could better bring to its climax the touching appeal of
| innocence and helplessness."
We understand that Powers was employed nearly two
years upon his statue, and his genius will be well re-
warded for its exertons. The duplicate copy has been
sent to England, where it has called forth the highest
strains OF admiration. The London Art Union declares
that it conpetes successfully with the best remnants of
the Greek art.' Even the London Times, generally so
nggard of its encomums upon anything that is American
admits that it is sin modern art Of the very highest
orders; and that his is the finest specimen of progress
in this order of art produced by American, and may be
hailed promise of future excellence" The Times
might also ray have said that it is not only the "prom-
ise but the performance OF the highest art. 1t is moi
only the bud but the fruit of excellence
fhe embellishments OF the costume fine as any
thing in the statue itself The figures ae mantle and
Jacket exlusitely cut in The whole marble of the
statue is worked up not to shine with labored
polish others that have but wrought so as to
resemble the expression OF the skin itself
| Its exhibition drew crowds around it in New York
For four months was kept open and, to the last contn
ued attract crowd of visitors Twenty thousand dollars
have been offered for tnot for the purpose of exhibition
but by who wished to place it among the other mo st
precious treasures of the arts
To this moment the statue has escaped all accident and
mutation; and it is but compliment due to the railroad
agents and Others to notice not only the care but the
courtesy with which it has been transported from the
northern cities to Washington This alone aests the
sort of Difference which is felt for this noble production
1 of an American artist