The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-04-28

little from the true time, he makes the pas-
sage take place in the cold light of the
opening morning. The principal object
in the picture, is the boat of Washington
which Hills nearly the entire foreground.
In the distance, dimly perceived through
the hazy air, are other boats of the expe-
dition. The low hills of New jersey, COW
cred with snow, are seen in the distance :;
while the eye seems to travel for miles and
miles along the frozen surface of the Della
ware. And here, | will avail myself of a
minute and graphic description of this
painting, taken from periodical issued
by the New York Union, and specially
devoted to the arts. 1t cannot fail to be
read with deep interest.
We have never seen in art represen-
tation of nature so gloomy and austere as
this immense barren vista, stretching north
ward as far rs the eye can reach, and fill
ed with innumerable cakes of floating ice.
One may almost feelrne biting win, swee-
ping over this frigid waste. The nrial
perspective is so well managed here that
the impression ofvastness and desolation
is wonderfully enhanced by it, and the
difficulty of the passage told in unmista-
kable language. The boat is represented
with its broadsidc to the spectator, and
propelled 10y three or four oarsmen, while
sturdy fellow at the bows with pole.
is pushing away the huge Jumps of ice
which obstruct its path, and some of which
are seen floating in the open, green water
Of the foreground. Standing near the
bows Of ;Irr boat, with his right foot rails
cd upon u seat, Is Washington, the cen
trai ana m"~; conspicuous object of the
c"mr"Sll"". H.d upon which the light is
chiefly con'u;rm"h. His head, which is
III pr"li,", j. T.i'N"i a. INST the brightest
part Of ,hr WINERY morning sky. He
wears military cloak, which he restraints
with his l'tt hand against the action of
the wind, Will" his right resting upon the
knee that is raised, holds a small recon-
noitring glass. He is dressed in full uni.
form, and wears the silvcr-mounted, green
hilted sword, which, we believe, is still pre-
served. He looks earnestly forward to-
wards the shore he is approaching, and
there in his features and attitude an ex
preston of dauntlcss energy, and at the
same time of calmncss and resolution, and
sclt-rclianc", which hcfits the man and the
occasion. 1t corresponds with our ideal of
Washington, and what higher praise than
this can we award. 1t is forcihc without
being cNtraya%ant, or mclodramatic. or
contradicting our belief in the dirnified
gravity Of his character. Seated beside
hun in front, and grasping the gunwale
OF the boat with his right hand, the rest
Of his body being cnvclop"d in blue mil
ltary cloak, is Greene, who is also looking
intently forward towards the point of de-
barkation. Immediately behind Wash
ington stands Col. Monroe afterwards
Prcsidcnt,) at that time young man of
nineteen and the aid of General Grecn.-
He is bearing the flag, the loose folds of
which are blown out by the wind In
this duty he is assisted by a countrvman
in light frock and fur cap, whose coun-
tenance seems to us one of the most sue
ccSsful portions Of the picture 1t was ia
ken in part, we have been informed from
the features of Webster and Jefferson.
and 1t seems to cmbody the great traits |
that characterized the old Contincntals. |
and assured the success Of their arms. 1t /
is the grandcst exhibition of the American
type countcnancc we have ever seen. There |
Is a certain cast of solemnity in it, as # it |
were retlccting the darkness of that cloo- |
miest period Of our history, to be illumi-
mated so soon, however, by the successes
of Trenton and Princeton. We can fol- |
low in imagination that sturdy veteran
into those fights, and witness the cool in
trepidity with which he shared in their
dangers. In the stern of the boat are
three other figures, two oarsmen and three |
officers one of the latter having his head
bandaged. The steersman wears a hun
ting shirt, and is drawn with great viror
and truth to nature. The officers are
wrapped in their cloaks, and the traces of
slight fall Of snow are seen on the ex-
posed portions of their dress. There are
twelve persons in the boat all represented |
of the size of life"
And now let me introduce an interesting
incident connected with this painting, |
which shows the strong viii anu unton- !
querable energy Of the artist. The paint
ing was executed at Dusseldorf Germany,
where Mr.. Leutze resided for some time.
There is, in that city, celebrated School
Ct Art, pictures from which, Of a very high |
order of excellence, are to be seen in New
York. Here, as just said, Mr.. Leutze
painted his picture Of Washington Cross
ing the Delaware" The work was near
ly completed, when the building in which
he had his studio caught fire, and the pic
ture was so badly injured that he had to
commence a new one. We give his own
account Of this misfortune, taken from
letter which he wrote to a friend, few
days after the occurrence
81 write 10 you with a heavy heart,
and although not bowed down by the
misfortune, still grieving for frustrated
hopes. My picture Of Washington is 50
much ;niupa1 that I paust or;va mr., oil hona