The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-07-14

A capital story has long been m circulation, re-
speeding hoax, said TO have been played off upon
Peyton ). Symmes, esq, Of Cincinnati, by Hi
ram Powers, the American sculptor, now in Italy
As Mr.. Symmes felt annoyed about it, he wrote 10
Mr.. Powers TO deny Il, and received the following
answer. IL Is the best story going
FLORENCE, March 81, l649.
MY DEAR SIR In a letter from Mr. Kellogg,
requested 10 state the facts as to an alleged i'm
position upon you by Mr.. Henderson, the actor
IL has been SAID IN some Of our papers that you
we're Of the number upon whom Mr.. II imposed
himself as a wax 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. IL Is natural that you should disresh such
an ImPutation, and as the story, so Far as you
are concerned, u untrue, 1t is but Just that you
should desire this refutation from me-
] remember TO have said, whenever the story
was told, that MIR. Henderson had designs upon
several Of our most respectable citizens, your
self 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 prevail upon me TO allow him the use Of
one Of the large glass enclosures in the museum
for his experiments upon a larger scale. He sue
ceeded perfectly m duplng the half dozen indivd-
uals above alluded TO, but withheld my consent
TO any further proceedings, and 10 the matter
ended allowed him the use Of a small room for
performing the experimentation thought he would
fail and that thus should get rid of his request for
the use Of a IN the museum, without having TO
deny him favor
When Henderson had prepared himself, one Of
his acquaintance was invited into the room 10 see
an unfinished representation Of " Henderson the
actor, IN the character Of Sir Francis Gripen On
entering, the hgure was seen standing m corner OF
| 4 he IL.
| coat, folded N such a manner as TO afford back
ground, and thus prevent unsieadiness, which might
lead TO detection. white wig made Of horse hair
decorated the head The face was daubed with
ochre, vermIion, and lampback the features were
much distorted, 80 much so, that had my reputa-
ton as an artist depended upon their resemblance TO
the original, might have feared for the result OF
The examination about to take place. The visiter,
however, seemed dIsposedto Aatter me and CRATE
ful for the permission 70 see an unfinished work.
assured me that ! had been very successful in the
likeness. He thought, indeed, that had improved
upon the original. ] begged him TO suggest any
improvement that might occur to him. He replied :
Perhaps you might modify that peculiar cock Of
the eye a little; and, If ! were you, would give
him better leg instead Of those spindle shanks
Of his " This last remark occasioned decided
change in the expression Of the wax figure, for
Henderson thought a good deal Of his legs This
change however, was not observed by the visiter.
who still regarded the legs but had great diff
Guilty IN containing my own countensnce, 10 ludi-
crous was the scene. The wax face had now re-
covered its proper expression, when our viser took
up the lamp, and, against my dissussiye remarks
that the effect was better at distance that the
thing was not yet finished, and consequently would
not bear close inspecuon--he walked directly up to
the hgure and stood within foot Of IT, face 70 face
" was evident that no trick was even suspected
as he held the lamp, now above, nov 10. one side,
then below, &c, the better 70 examine the work.
/ The actors eyes had now been kept 80 long open