The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-09-02
AMERICAN ART.


Among the studios of Rome, writes cores
pondent of the Boston Transcript, there is
none more thronged by artists and amateurs
than those of our own sculptor Crawford. He
occupies two large studios-one in the Piazza
Barberini. the other in the Piazza de Termini,
near the Diocletian Baths. The latter is ens
tirely devoted to the great work for the State
of Virginia, which is to be placed near the ca
pitol in Richmond. He has just completed
the models Of his statues of Patrick Henry
and Jefferson. They are fourteen feet in height,
and are in the costume Of the age. Apart
from the likenesses, which are said by those
who are familiar with other representations of
the same subjects, to be very correct, they
challenge the admiration Of all who have seen
them, as statues Of the Orator and Statesman.
The former stands in an oratorical, but not
theatrical attitude, with out.stretched arms,
and the face is as book where men may
read strange matters" half expected to hear
from those lips Of clay the burning words that
nervrd the heroes of the revolution.
The latter stands az if meditating some deep
diplomatic scheme-but the face tells you that
his thoughts are those of the honorable ststes-
man, rather than the political trickster. 1t is
singular that Crawford should have finished
his Jefferson, and Gibson his Sir Robert Peel,
almost simultaneously. And though neither
sculptor had seen the others work, there is
something of a similarity between the two
statues. Their attitude and general sentiment
would almost make one think that they origi.
mated in the same mind. do not know whe.
ther this is a compliment to the Englshman or
the American. The severely classic genius of
Gibson had robed Sir Robert Peel in the
ancient toga-Crawford's Jefferson stands
preached and cIoaked, "in his habit as he lived'
and yet rivals the other in dignity and man.
ly beauty. There is majesty about it that an
American would always wish to associate with
the author of the Declaration of Indepen-
dence. The plaster models of these statues are
now sent to Munich, where they are to be cast
in bronze.
Mr.. Crawford's Hebe and Ganymede, beau.
tiul work, executed for MIR. Charles c. Per-
kins, of this city, is now finished -and flying
figure of Ceres, with bounteously filled lap,
will soon be ready to receive the final touches
of the master hand. Ii is sufficient to say,
that in conception and execution they are
worthy Of a genius which produced the Or
phens-and glorious ul6lment ofthe youth
full promise of one whom the great Thorwald-
sen esteemed his successor in the highest clas-
sical style of sculpture.
But Crawford's love for the antique and his
success in NEUROLOGICAL subject, have not
cramped his genius, SO that he can produce
| nothing but goddesses and satyrs. He has
just finished figure Of boy playing marbles.
which is so entirely natural and boyish, that
you can almost hear the marbles rattle in his
pocket, and the chuckle that follows the we'll
directed snap. The STOPPING posture, the
right hand holding the marble, the inteniness
of the c0untenance, and the anatomical effect
Of the whole, are most wonderful.
But the work which is destined to add most
to his reputation-ihe work which will eniitle
him to the love of every man, woman and child
who speaks the English tongue, is his Child.
rem in the Wood. He has recently modelled |
this, and is now executing il in marble for Mr.. |
James Lenox, Of New York. The artist has |
chosen the moment in the sad history when |
"death did end their grief" they are clasped in
each others arms, and the robin-redbreasts are |
just commencing their pious labor. They are |
clad in the graceful English costume of the |
middle ages. The whole story of their suffer- |
ings is expressed in their soTrowful but loye!y;
features-and the little boy clasps his sisters |
hand as il he wished to keep her in the world |
which he himself is just leaving. The fami- |
liariy of the subject and the natural manner
of treatin it will make it one ofthe most pop-
ular pieces Of sculpture of the present age.-
They who have known Crawford only in my
tholoaical subjects, can have no idea Of the ar
ristic grace with which he clothes subjects of
the laier ages; they are only acquainted with
one phase Of his genius.
The Confessions" of criminals sometimes
lend simple people into troubIe-as witness:
A correspondent ofthe Norfolk County Jour.
nal relaies the following instance, which he
picked up on visit to the Thomasfon Me.)
prison: II was amused with an anecdote told
me, relative to clergyman who visited the
prison, and desired to converse with the pri-
soners. The warden informed him that there
would probably be little satisfaction 10 doing
Ia f1ns.f pf
obtaining. However, he began conversation
with a Young prisoner, and inquired relative to
the nature Of his CRIME. In reply, the prisoner
told him that he stole saw mill, and'on going
back after the dam was caught Itand put in prl- |
son. The minister concluded to leave the in- |
corrigible youth"
A gentleman recently from Africa, while at |
one of the civilized colonies on the coast, met |
a Young colored woman whom he had known |
in Old Virginia, who had obtained her freedom |
for good conduc :, and had migrated 70 Liberia.
.Wbere are you travelling TO MaryF said the |
gentleman. II am going down 10 the village |
on the sea shore. I'm tired OF seeing niggar, |
niggar! want TO see some white folks:f But
are you doing well herei' ~, very well.
have four slaves who make palm leaf hats"
slaves IN yunr own land" aOh, yes" said
she with great simplicity, "must do as they
DO in Old Virginia"
The BoRRowED UNBaKLLA-A LANEETA-
BE FAcT-Jonnthan tells Q story Of man
who loaned an umbrella 10 Q TREND, trades
man in his street, on wet, nasty day. II was
not returned; be called for il, but met his
friend at the door, going out with i in his
hand.
Il have come for my umbrella" exclaimed
the lender.
: .Can't help thas." replied the borrower,
.don't you see that am going out with iri''.
"Well-yes," replied the lender, ssiounded
Al such outrageous inpudesce, yeas. but
what am to dol
dol" replied the other, as he threw open
the umbrella end walked of, do g did The
other day. boyror oseln
Sxs1uus AcctpxT -At Cincinnad. . nv asys
aso, - wuskum wers acctdentally preeplla
from ths rcof of hosss 70 the lower slogys -
tanes Of hfty feet 1as Mtcholo0n end Z 0orunns
Il wss thought wsss fasally injured.