The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-12-22
e.a,u. .aa Industry o.ms,a.a.

II is one OF the dangerous errors which beset young
men, that who possesses genius may dispense with
the necessity OF labor By genius we mean strong pre-
disposition for any particular art from whatever cause
il NAV be produced-whethe il was born with one, Or as
Helyeus contends, whether il is generated by CIR
cumsances subsequent 10 birth But is idle to say
that labor essential to every species OF excellence
You may as well Contend that the most vigorous seed
would yegetate on the barren rock, without the dews OF
heaven constantly TO water 1t.
The great secret OF success after all is enthusiasm
concentrated attention, and almost entire devotion TO
your profession Thus il is that you not only acquire
taste for it, but the habits that necessary to accom-
pish the object Give your days and your nights to its
prosecution and thus the spark OF genius is gradually
kindled into fame.
We have a remarkable instance OF this truth in the
case of young Gait, OF Virginia. We knew him three
years ago. before he set out for Italy He began with
canoes, which were beautifully executed. He told us
that he was going devote himself to sculpture and If
an unrng zeal would contribute to his success. he
hoped to enlarge his horizon, and take in the highest
branches OF his noble art. We saw written in the lin
eaments OF his countenance the energy OF the will by
which he was SO strongly actuated. His small person
seemed 10 dilae with the magnitude Of his designs He
had set his mark high and he seemed determined that
nothing should prevent his reaching it. See the fruits Of
this purpose in the following letter-see the achieve
mens he has already performed. Who can say to such
taste and such enthusiasm as this, "Thus far and
further" Who set bounds to his SUGGEST Or who
say what umphs his genius, assisted by labor may
not around his own name or that Of his country
He aspres to stand by the side Of Powers Who will say
that he shall not
From Richmond Enquirer
NATIVE GENIUS Many months since took pleasure
noticing The haering efforts OF plastic genius exhibited
by Young native of Norfolk the son of the excellent post
master there The bud Of promise has burst into
rich and blooming flower of triumphant genius, If we
TO Judge from the following deeply interesting letter, pub
lished in the Norfolk Argus from citizen Of Norfolk,
sojourning in Europe,
FLORENCE, September 20, 1850
reverence art, wherever found as the longing after a
better pracPs; ba. above all do look with pride upon
gerng in the glorious achieyenens Of
s os land
zeslousy striving TO follow In the way thus marshaed
s studio piafa %
those marbles, alive as It We're from his magic ohlsei
his fame loi whom the great Thowadsen declared, in
his astonishmen that in his forte Of busts there were
pain, the lilly or perfume the rose There are younger
mem with promise even as great but who bde the
whom would love mention. and, il il might be, bring
thrill of Joy their lone hearts but and power
Of one Of viginias talented children, who, in
future far distant will link 1t to glorious fame
Mr.. Gait our worthy postmaster He has been Flor
for the past two years, srdeny pursuing his noble
could but admire from the frs,; the manly modesy
which pervaded his whole manner Upon an invitation TO
passed delightful hour with the artist and his work He
has boldly enered on that great course which Powers has
shown he destined TO rank beside that famed
master. l may be permitted, however, before noticing
rlv ami that 0f he
figure difficult Of conception and execution
than the one ia question The human coun,snance, with
OF expression presents obstacle apparently insumount
able Add to this The vision he must form in his mind Of
the deaso trying test OF his sense OF the beauties, with
which all dead and lnanimateand you have some
Powers con,ended 50 successfully with the Italian school
Their leading thought developed In the general out
more often Turk in the smallest line or curve OF the face
left untouched or committed TO chance The effect,
yo nes American presented himself in te galleries Of Flor
ence, and showed them head so superby finished that
vitality itself seemed to glow in It's features the palm was
yielded TO the stranger.
this PATH then, young Calf has made his de-
but aud shown himself capable OF the highest researches
OF sculpture As looked upon bust redoent
with the mdest Greek beauty, i gradually grew upon me
only by the promised joys OF Lies red
way could pour out for months its whole resources OF
ted hsr the straight finely moulded nose and exquis.
of the short upper distinctive OF the
s arch Of the brow and tie lovely oS. q the
announced the true poetry Of sculpture This is all CHS
The smallest hardness or stiffness. And this jeweied
OF the body" 10 set is basis lightly and be
comngly grace itself The swelling bend of the neck
and the rich Of the shoulders would do honor the
fairest ideal Of a Niobe.
al have poorly attempted TO sketch this chef douprs
which trust before long you yourself will and judge
Of As the talented Artist HIMSELF his production needs
only To be TO bring its rich reward feel already that
have taken too much Of your time but the uncommon
merit OF tile subject has led OFT this LENGTH which
you will forgive when you snail have seen the
original"
II is with pleasure that look forward the day when
public buding temples Of learning and Of private
rrsucnces and Inausoes OF the Dead may be decorated
aud ched by the fruits Of this young Vrginians oh sci
Ia counexon with this subject, cordially give place
TO the following OF etie from the geat sculptor,
Powers. kindly handed by enlightened friend and
appreciatve sdmirer Of the fne arts. We trust that
Powers viii persvcre fixing eloquent marble the beau
uy poetic and touching story Of Pocahonta, saving Cap
tail John Smith. Virginia will watch with eagerness hts
successful eff ut TOR he fa) 10 inmoraiizs, IN
sculpture, one OF the Interesting Incidents IN her
history Private munifccnce, " public spirit, will
doub less honor ITSELF well the SCULPTOR IN transferring
the classic group state The only work Of Powers,
in Virgins, we believe, s bust OF Warrington at Clare
mont James rivef the estate OF VIM Allen, He hss
many fine specimens Of but this nobo bust Of Wash
ington universally admired We glad 70 hear that
other gentlemen aud munfcence, in Virginia,
about proc similar bosts OF Washington and Frahkn
by the same sculptor But TO Mr.. Powers's lst,eri
81 must wait for the naorals you have kindly prom:
issd before give you idea OF the design and
groups do not remember the story OF Po-
cahon,as well enough venture upon the subject without
light read II many years ago. and with great inter-
ulars The history country affords few subjects
exqusely adapted the chlss as tbs am now at work