New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-12-03

IHE DCsT OF HENRY CLAY b pRUDEN.-n
II rarely II ever we have truthful work Of an
~ mat q Prudens bust o. Henry Clay re.snfy pur
chased ty the City Of New-YOrk for the "GOvernor.
Room, o. the City Hail Such i tho snim-te1 ani life
IKE expression Of countenance enc would aim . i'm
hgne the cold marble was giving ut:arance 70 some Of
those strns Of patriotic eloduence h which - great
Original 20 often thrilled the hearts Of hs country
When h4s voice, and hs voice only. could calm the
+ troubled waters.
The whole effort OF the artist has been bestowed upon
the head no drapeTy cxtrleous matter divers the
sterron from the face dear 70 every American heart
The marks Of age upon the noble brow, and the rising
VEINS upon the temples and forehead. deiineated
WIN al the dececy Of nature and animation appears
to pervafe every feature Mr. Praden represents NJ.
Gay as he appeared in his seventy third year in the
most Interesting period Of his life Of period coul
he more interesting than another when be commenced
hk last term II the Senate 81 the United Sates during
which he died. The work more o. Pride than u
prCnt to Mr. Pruden; his only ambition being 10 oban
the most perfect resemblance that could be had Of Amer
iehs-peThaps the wOrlds-gTe6test orator. When
Pruden first conceived the execution Of the work he
( learned from NJ Hart who he'd taken a cast Of Mr.
Gays face that Mr. Clay reluctant 70 have another
taken he very kindly profered to Prdsn the u7e OF
his model, but Mr. Clays face mad IN lergone the
change Of five year, AZ the closing period Of advanced
life Pruden could only avail himself OF the liesZes Of
Mr.. Harts model knowing Mr. Clay reluctance to SO
ior lkeaess Of any description, MI Prllden avaAed
himself Of every possible opportunity Of seeing Mr.
C0y who his neghbor ~ catch the expression
OF cOunenance thst changed with every expression
OF thought; and 50 intent was be on the success Of his
work test he for year was sresdg attendant a. ths
Church whore Mr. Clay attended in Lexington availng
himself Of the excellent opportunity he there mad du
ring service to impress his mind With every feature;
after which he wOUld 20 home and shut himself up IN
his stufo and work the bust By thee means, and
by the frequent opportunities he bad Of seeing Mr.
Clay in conversation, he completed his work but 30
careful had he been not r. annoy trouble NJ Clay.
that he did not know that Pruden executing such
work till It quite complete and Mr. Clay called
into his studio 10 look IT,
Mr. Clay advised him 20 send II TO New York City,
among whose citizens he numbered bis most .aa and
steadiAst friends In his own wOrfs, when the Com.
mttee in behalf Of his friends in New-fOrk scented
HIM with the gold medal the head OF which was taken
from this bust be says "TlrouEhou: nv public LIE
hive been blessed everywhere in the United states with
more few true friends 10 whom am bound b. the
strongest sentiments Ct gratitude but nowhere have
they surpassed those in the City OF York in zeal,
constancy and fidelity, and in distinguished ana various
demonstrations OF Affection ana attachment"
In accordance with Mr. Cays suggestion il was sent
to this City and finally purchased by Mr. Peer V.
Hustrd who has parted with It to the City for several
hundred dollars less han be could have ohta ne1 FOR
from private individuals but having IN view it, preser
walton to postenty which would not be secure il pr
vate hands he sold II TO the City . be placed in the
Governors Room" Of the City Hal, whore the hum
bcst OF our citizens well as the wealthy partake
in its ownership and behold correct resemblance Of one
"Cn whose ike we ne'er shall look again"
There H. believe, but other marble bust Of Mr..
Clay in existence. which cut some twenty years
since The one on which M Hart Is at work now in
Ifoy being completed and ~ other bust here
after made be tested By comparison with it, great
and beloved original, receive his commentator a.
This hos done there IL value 70 It beyond mere dollars
and cent. snd IN TINS City, where he had 80 n9ny al
urers should in the language of leading Demo
cratic paper Of this City, in recommending - purchase,
forever stand Ms memorial Of his greatness, and that
BIZ worth end services have been appreciated By our
Citizens without distinction OF party"
Since writing the above we observe that Tie Ersnf7g
Posi- taca pons to the work account OF the OBJ
security Of tkearist and the price OF sixteen hundred
and fry dollars which the city paid for H. ODscury,
indeed What artist that day wea no. obscure tli
some transccndant work lighted him out OF obscurty
Power, Cleyen2er, liari, every American artist thar
can be nsmed-wTOughr their own way out OF Obscu ly.
Henry Clay himself WAS obscure humble birth
could make him til BY his own genius he ".n h5 v
TO honor and fame n. Y. Dispatch
suhjonod ia Nj Clay letter in relation to tine bust
and Mr. Pruden:
ASHLAND. Tuesday. April p 1851.
DER SIR reviewed your letter requesting me 70 con-
mmncato come plcuiaTs # marble bust OF me- scnp-
ured by Mr. Prucen LexncOn and take great ,asufe
~ complying with II % far as oan was noi aware tnat
Nj fTden was Engaged m such wo! until II was com
pleed ltwaa about two years ago. when was sew,
euiytwo years Of Gge from thc bust previously made OF me
by Mr. art md i. has e tho merit Of that artists work
Wica had thought the best Likeness Of me- IN marble or
plaster that bad ever been made There who .nk
II an imp.Oyetntup0n the bust OF NJ. Hart Of hat, how
ever an competent % iuoeo. Ny friends and nyself
were perfectly satisfied with AT. HATS did no, see M.
PrndeLs unt after It was finished and, according my
Judgment 10 is perfectly true 10 nature auI the original
did not ST him q a but he eyaled hmsef OF ne fire.
cnent orroripuits which he had of seeing me 70 make
ouch dey ati0us from Nj HATS h. thought would make
his more perfect M Pruden is young lna1 Of great
merit who like Hart Ceyenger and Powers. has tak'n TO
the SCULPTURE Of buss without any other experience than
that which be obtained from working stone aud marble.
He has made other bus OF gentlemen IN bexng on,
which are creafy admired for their and beauty
With many thanks for YOUR fnendy sentiments toward
ne. am your Trend and obctieht servant.
NJ. PFTIa v. Hts1In H. CLAY.
~ Speaking of the death of George Low