Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-07-13
LETTER FROM HIRAM POWERS

/ LETTER FROM HIRAM POWERS.
i AN ARTIsTIcAL JoKE.-The following hu-
morous and capital letter, from our distin.
guished artist-eountryman in Italy explains
itself. The man who reads it without d
laugh, is more stoical than we are-that is
certain:
FLORENCE, March 81, 1649.
To PEYToN S. SYMMEs, Esq.-My Dear
Sir In letter from MIR. Kellogg, am re-
quested TO state the facts as to an alleged i'm
position on you by Mr.. Henderson, the ac-
tor. 1t has been said in some of our papers,
that you were of the number upon whom Mr..
H. imposed himself as a aca1 figure, in the
Western Museum, some fifteen or twenty
years ago, and my name has been given as
authority for the truth of the story. 1t is nat
ural that you should disrelish such an impu-
tation. and as the story, so far as you are con-
cerned in it. is untrue, it is but Just that you
should desire This refusalion from me.
l remember to have said, whenever the
story was told, that Mr.. Henderson had de-
signs upon several of OUT most respectable
citizens, yourself of the number, but these
designs were never executed, excepting upon
half dozen or more persons residing in the
Immediate vicinity of the museum. This was
done in order to satisfy me that the thing Was
practicable; for Mr.. Henderson hoped to pre-
vail upon me to allow him the use of one of
the large glass enclosures in the museum for
his experiments upon larger scale. He sue
ceeded perfectly we'll in dupng the half do
zen individuals above alluded TO, but with
held my consent to any further proceedings,
and SO the matter endt d. allowed him the
use of a small room for performing the ex-
periment-for / thought he would fail, and
that TINS should get rid Of his request for
the use of a case in the museum, without hav-
| ing to deny him a favor.
When Henderson had prepared himself one
| of his acquaintances was invited into the room
TO see an unfinished representation Of IS Hem
derson, the actor, in the character of Sir
Francis GRIPPE" On entering, the figure
was seen standing in the corner of the room,
with the head leaning against an old coat,
folded in such a manner as to afford a back
might lead to detection. A white wig,
made of horse hair, decorated the head. The
face was daubed with ochre, vermilion, and
lamp-black the features were much distor
ted, SO much SO that had my reputation an
artist depended upon their resemblance 10 the
original, might have feared for the result Of
visiter, however, seemed disposed 10 fatter me;
& grateful for the permission to see an un6nish-
| ed work, assured me that had been very sue
cessful in the likeness. He thought indeed,
thai had improved upon the original. beg
ged him to suggest any improvement that
might occur TO him. He replied: /" Per-
haps you might modify that peculiar cock of
the eye little; and, if were you, l would
| give him better leg, instead of those spindle
shanks of his" This last remark occasion
ed decided change in the expression of the
wax figure, for Henderson thought good
deal of his legs. This change, however, was
not observed by the visiter, who sill regarded
the legs; but had great difficulty in contain
| ing my own countenance, SO ludlcrous was the
scene.
The arar fece had now recovered its proper
expression, when our visiter took up the lamp.
and, against my dissuasive remarks, that the
effect was better at distance, that the thing
was not yet finished, and consequently would
not bear close inspection, he walked directly
up TO the figure and stood within foo. of 1t,
face to face. 1t was evident that no trick was
even suspected, as he held the lamp now
above, now to one side, then below, &C., the
better TO examine the work. The actors eyes
had now been kept open so long without wink
ing, that moisture was beginning to collect
in the corners; observing which, our critic
exclaimed {" Marvellous! marvellous! How
| in the world did you contrive to make these
tears Did you use gum arabic or copal var
| nish! At this, the friend who stood at my side
could refrain no longer, but laughed outright.
was obliged TO laugh also, but the actor still
maintained the ludicrous gravity of his coun-
tenance. The critic appeared confused for a
moment, staring at us inquiringly but he
soon became aware that Trick had been play
ed upon him, and suddenly turning to the spor
figure, he seized it by the nose, and the
tweak ne gave it would have proved fatal to
the symmetry of a waxen proboscis. As it
was, however, it did no damage to that organ,
but it brought some additional moisture to
Henderson's eyes, and an exclamation from
his mouth of Oh It, don't! You forget
that INV nose is made Of 1UaT !r' Others were
introd uced after this to see the wax fgur, but
shall not attemp to describe any more OF
these interviews.
You are at liberty to make use of the above
statement in private manner or indeed pub
licIy, should you deem it necessary TO retute
any statements Of an opposite character.
With pleasant recollections of your kind
ness and clvilities at Cincinnati, beg you &c
believe me,
Very sincerely yours,
~