Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-02-22
MONUMENT TO JACKSON.

bia, the agent, is now in this city, for the pur-
pose of extending the subscription to the Ma
tional Monument to Jackson. We commend
him to our friends Of all partics-to all tho ad-
mircrs OF the patriot and hero who crowned
the var Of 1912 with the victory OF the 9Th
January, at New Orleans
But, in addition 10 the important considera-
ton Of handing down to posterity speaking re-
presentation of one of the most distinguished
Americans, the proposed monument will be full
of interest, as il will be executed by native
ard rising artist, Mr.. Mills Of South Carolina,
whose genius has already made itself known in
some admirable busts of great Americans. 1t
will moreover, be splendid triumph of art, aud
will confer honor not only on the dead, but on
the living-as proud fruit of American &C.
MUS and American gratitude. We have before
us handsome Autograph of the Statue when
completed and its grace and imposing effect
show that the descriptions have not been exag
serated. (1bis Autograph may be seen at our
Office, where we invite our friends 10 cali and
see it)
The Statue will be erected on Lafayette
Square, in Washington City, Immediately oppo-
site 10 the Presidents House, and will com
mand magnificent view. 1t will be con-
s,ructed Of bronze from the cannon taken by
General Jackson in battle, Congress having APP
propriated !, sufficient quantity for that pur-
pose writer in the Union, who is familiar
with the finest works Of art in the world, has
written most interesting paper on the subject
we arc confined to brief extract, which, how
ever, conveys a good idea of the Statue. II
will be seen that the manner Of balancing the
horse is new, and the plan of preparing for the
cast is calculated to save a great deal of labor
and expense. The corner stone will be laid al
no distant period, and the monument probably
completed by The first January next. We trust
that our friends will generously aid Mr.. Shec'
kel in his meritorious mission
We have seen some oflhc best pieces OF cques.
trian sculpture abroad, and fct degree oi ma
al anxiety 10 know hoW our caunryman had
succeeded in his bold undertaking. We remem-
befed similar statues 10 the Neapolitan gallery
OF antiquities, from Pompeii and HeIculaneum,
and recalled The great detect which diminished
the melil .! their execuiion-lhe trunk OF tree,
or some other extraordinary appenaase, beneath
the body Of The horse, 10 sustain him 10 the rear
ing attitude. These and many modern statues
OF great merit presented This defect, or else The
greater one Of being lame in action or actually
in repose.
Our qualification, therefore, was great in be-
t..l1
in pride, sustained by his hind feet on little
plate o iron scarce two feet in diameter We
ell gra,ifed al The artists successful arrange
menl iaa>much that the possibility OF sustain
lug horse in this posture, and IN full action,
has been denied We do not remember one thus
arranged, Tor even the famous statue of Car Pc
ter a, 81. Petersburg, finds support by means
which, though successfully employed, greatly dc
Tract from lis general effect.
We DO not know which is mosi to be admired,
the attitude and spirit OF The animal or The me.
chaDical ingenuity which thus has placed and
sustained it, the altitude is excellent. Whilst
The good war-b0rSe, win cilaled eye and diSiend-
ed nosril, rears and paws the air, the behoder in
fancy almost hears The din OF war which has thus
Startled him into aciun-lhe martial hgnre oil The
old hero alone is wanted 10 complete The illusion.
Although the figure OF course is arranged with
mechanical adaptations 10 the principle OF gravi-
talion, still these do mol strike the beholder; he
awaits its descent each moment for another bound
in air. 10 the construction OF the great statue a,
81. Petersburg, the artist had The aid OF the whole
European treasury OF art his models were al
mirabe Arabians; the beat rider in the world
trained anu rCJe Tor his sketche; whilst our coun-
lryman has been The simple student of nature
his own trainer and rider. Conslan! exercise Of
his noble animal in an att ude which cond only
momentaTily be sustaine,, made an indeibe i'm
preston on his memory, and with faithful hand
has he transferred il 10 his model.
There is another point in relation 10 The con-
slrucIiOD OF this statue which deserves special no.
ice, as il differs from the process OF all who have
preceded Mr.. Mills: this is The original-there
has been no model in clay. BY process peculi
ar 10 himself, he builds upon an iron frame work
a rude mass of plaster, which is fashioned and
modelled according to his will; the saving in la
Dor and expense is therefore immense, AS those
familiar with the arr will understand whilst the
risk OF destruction in casting is greatly diminish
ed. When fully appreciated, the introduction 81
this peculiar method will be hailed with pleasure,
and all artists will yield TO Mr.. Mills his deserv-
ed need OF praise.
We are cratifed - learn that the statue is TO
be cast IN bronze, a Experience has fully settled
The point that no olnci material is calculated 10
Withstand The unequal temperature OF our cli-
mate. Let Mr.. Nils carry out his design, aud
his statue will be ono Of The noblest ornaments Of
our city. May he b. perfectly successful in his
undertaking. and cause 10 others The same feel
ines OF pleasure which we have experienced and
now sincerely express!
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