The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-11-22
l. &C AL Nj AT Il f. r. 5 .

has been exhibited TO the public, during the last
week. the premises Of the artist south Of Penn
sylvsnia avenue, and the Treasury Depart
ment. Ladies and gentlemen, In large numbers,
availed themselves Of the opportunity thus afforded
to behold it, but visitors are excluded. in
order to avoid further interruption of operations,
as the statue ID to be inauguratcd ON the ensuing
eighth Of January, the anniversary Of the battle of
New Orleans.
q. The horse measures fourteen feet from the front
hoos TO the tail, and the height OF the statue, from
the ground line to the highest point Of the figure
OF the rider, is fourteen and half feet. The ma
terial is brass-of old cannon captured from ''the
enemy" for the most part, the aggregate weight
OF which id upwards Of fifteen tons. The horse is
in rearing position and is thus firmly susa aimed
10y it's own equilibrium, the first success of the Kind
in the hisory Of the arts, SO far as wo have been
enabled to learn. o. ~. fN...-rs.
The equestrian statue Of Peter the Great ia held
in place by the tail beng boted TO rock. Eigh
teen or nineteen years consumed in its pro
duction, and its coat was four hundred thousand
dollars. 1t ID somewhat larger, however, than the
equestrian statue OF Jackson. The shortest time
occupied in Europe for the creation Of similar
work has been eight years. But MIR. Mills has
been engaged only four five years. and during
that period has encountered many embarra ass.
ments, having much prejudice to overcome, and
without experience. Notwithstanding six succes-
sive faiures in modelling, each involving ioss OF
four hundred dollars, the artist, on the seventh
trial, succeeded in producing the desired result;
thus afording another example of what genius,
unaided can do by the force Of perseye rance. He
has had but little assistance, and on average
not more than three workinen in his employ.
The erection Of this equestrian statue pro
jected by individuals, and the money necessary to
he hv
The contract price was twelve thousand dollars;
an uncomfortable sum considering the magnitude
Of the work. causing actual loss to the artst of
upwards Of six thousand collars, exclusive OF his
loss of time.
Congress appropriated old, unservic cable cannon
to be melted into this new form, and, at the last
session. voted five thousand dollars for the erection
of pedestal in Lafayette Square, where the statue
! 10 to be placed.
Clark Mills, the artist, citizen Of South Caro-.
lima, first turned his attention to sculpture, and
one of his first efforts a marble bust of CAL
| HoUN. The city of Charleston, in appreciation of
| his skill, presented him with massive gold me-
dal, bearing suitable inscription Now he is en-
gagged in another branch Of the arts, his triumphs
in which. especially when we consider that he
| commenced without instructor, relying upon
| the strength Of his genius, must ever rebound
| to his honor. ..., ...s.
We presume that if this equestrian statue shall
acquire the reputation which it merits, the people,
through their representatives in Congress- will de-
sire the production of one, by the same artist, of
the Father of his Country. -.
| METROPOLITAN MRCHASIcs' lNsTirUTE.--At the
| meeting Of the board of managers, on Friday even
inr, a ground plan of the exhibition room was
presented by Mr.. Clark, the assistant architect OF
the Patent Office building for which he received a
vote Of thanks. ,..
| The National Institute has loaned the "Metropo.
itan' a large quantity Of sash with which to make
cases for the display Of fine goods at the Fair in
February and March next.
plan for a temporary building, forty by eighty
feet, Ito be erected at once on the Patent Office
grounds, for machinery to be exhibitcd,) was
adopted. Mr.. McKinstry 10 to furnish, by con-
traot, steam. engine for this department.
Many applications from citizens of Washin gton,
| Baltimore, and other parts of the country, who
desire to display the products Of their skill,
received, and will be acted upon in due time
They who first come will be first served.
Ed. Robinson, esq, the president Of the Rich
mond, Fredericksburg, and Potomac Railroad
Company, has written to the corresponding score.
tury that "every necessary facility the route
OF this company, between Richmond and Wash
ington, will be afforded, free of charge, for the
transportation Of articles destined fur the exh,bi
| ton"
TRIBuTE TO SAMUEL STnoNe.-We learn that Q
very large meeting Of the workmen employed on
| the Capital extension" recently held a,
| Cops Saloon, Louisiana avenue, to take action
with reference TO the resi- gnation oil Samuel Strong
| superintendent Of that noble work. Francis J
| Brooks was appointed chairman, and William G
Fitzpatrick secretary. Among other proceedings,
resolutions adopted rendering to Mr.. Strong
| the warmest thanks for his honorable and liberal
| minded course towards the mechanics and labor
I ere; complimentDg him for his eminent abilities
us a master builder. and making provision for a
service of oliver plate to be presented to him II
evidence Of their regard.
NATIONAL TnEArnE Miss Riching s appears
this evening Florne in he dramatic opera
OF that name, a character we'll suited for the dis
play Of her fine talents There is a superior caet
of vocal and dramatic strength, affording, together
with other performances, an attractive evening q
entertainment. In the afterpiece Miss Annie
LonsdaIe makes her fret appearance in the part Of
Charlotte Clapier, in the farce Of Captain Char.
lotte."
TaE Nrw FEnnr A few days aimee VIC sta ed
|
duct at Georgetown We now learn from the
| Alexandria Gazette that the Alexandra Canal
Company. which is the owner of the Georgetown
ferry, within a few yards Of the aqueduct, well
Of the aqueduct itself, has taken legal eteps to
protect its ferry rights, and to punish all infringe.
ments thereof; and also to prevent such an i'm.
proper use Of the aqueduct as the to which re-
ference Is above made.
FIaE.-The alarm yesterday morning was oc-
cnsioned by flames bursting out of the roof of a
small tenement on Thirteenth street, near F. A
timely application of water suppressed the confla-
! grafton before much damage ensued.
| WAsHiNaToN CRY CANAL.-The improveme ut
of this work is nearly completed; there remaining
a length Of about four hundred feet only to be
dredged. Schooners will then be enabled to mp
proach from the west far up Fourteenth street
bridge. t.... .
IMPRovRMrNT.-We learn that Extensive prepare
tions are in the course Of being made the line of
49, ~,x,l -.r,. ~.