The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-11-15
Grecn0ugh's Group.
WASHINGTON, Novembe. IL, 1853.
o The Editors Of the National IaielEgeneer

WASHINGTON, Novsmbe. IL, 1853
To The Editors Of the National latelEgeneer:
GENTLEMEN: have read the very fair cri,que OF your
correspondent on Greenoughs group OF s.auary, con-
tanned 10 the lnellgencer Of this morning. Making no
professions oil critical knowledge OF sculpture. shall
express opinion the correctness OF your
pondents views. will only speak TO the location"
OF the group
TIE writer says, " have heard il said that
intended his for the projection below its loca
ton Whether this be not have of know
as II would not require The OF 10 that either
the location Is 100 high or the base Is 100 low Those who
placed II there should have been informed Of his wishes
and may be able to throw some light the subject
was charged BY the President Of the United States
with the supervision OF the removal from The navy yard
and placing of that group And sought mos, indus
tously TO ascertain what the wishes OF the artist
but unfortunately failed in asceranng, any further than
was enlightened BY a letter which accompanied the
saiuary from the agent OF Dir. Geenough IN Leghon,
and by critical examination oil the pieces composing The
group and the marble blocks which accompanied IT, The
lser stated the particular position that each piece
occupy in reference to The others II aso stated that
OF the boxts contained "an irregular OF rocks
OF which the pedestal 10 be formed and the writer
further remarks, "Those pieces OF marble must be ar
ranged so as 10 form mass OF rocks" &c.
told. before the group raised, that II was the
intention OF the artist that The group should occupy the
blocking below he which IL is placed bu, could
not ascertain with any certainty thai such was his n'en-
toa and upon measuring the base OF the group was
found hst feti rider than The bi,eHag, thus
showing conclusivey that if the arts, did intend be
had committed The same error forming that
the artist committed in painting the family picture for
The good Vicar OF Wakeheld-it was too large for the
place il was intended 10 occupy. Any that,
including the cornce the upper blocking is -four feet
wider than The lower one. This being the case hal
there not been other good reasous Tor placing the group
where IL ia, that one would have been ample
In regard 10 is hes ht will remark that The rough
blocks OF marble which came with II were used Tor It's
pedestal directed and, they put into the box
BY the artist himself. infer that the group Is OF the
hes hi be intended II should be. think my own limited
In regard 10 the prope'Y oil placing IT would
have suggested the inpropTieiy OF placing mass OF
rough rocks marble pedestal. II IL bad enough
where il is and we're permitted to suggest the appro-
pirate position OF that stauary would say tina, II should
be placed by itself somewhere IN The public grounds q,
proper height from the ground a rough pedestal,
which pedestal should be covered with mound OF earth
eoping OF gradually all sides |, would then show
wha, intended 10 show. In its pFesen, position II
cannot be properly appreciated nor can II IN any posi-
iion where il confused by the surrounding OF sroh
lecture as must be il made portion OF any part oil the
Capitol.
A. The writer OF the article In your paper
ious 10 be informed TO what breed that dog belongs,
will cay that gentleman has informed that he is
almost an exact portrait of St Benaid dog, brought By
A naval officer IRON Italy What suoh dog should te
doing in tho wds OF America, where there were I" In
dians about will nai pretend TO say.
The group was placed in s position under the imme-
dia,e supervision OF Clark Mills esq and be performed
the duty well and faithfully, and as believe strictly in
accordance with The intention oil his accomplished brother
ar,is whose uniney decease we all 30 deeply lament
Very respectfully, yoor obed.sni servant.
Is h. FRENCH
Commissioner OF Public Buildings