Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-28
Houdon,s statue.

upon our columns OF matter OF great political
Importance. esd
We give it to our readers now, as the con
clusion in our columns Of controversy which
we should have been better pleased to have
seen confined to the simple scientific questions
involved in the subject of which it treats.
Replying to the Amateur under my signature
is like standing in the moonlight to receive
thrusts from an adversary concealed in the
shade, the combat is, of course, unequal and
if !, for selfpreservation, am forced to do un
graceful fence, it should not be Judged toe
critically. Etiquette can only be maintained
where the parties are enabled to recognize each
other to be upon an equal footing. II, there
fore, hit my antagonist rather irregularly, he
must excuse me upon the ground of his having
the entire advantage of position, to say moth
ing Of his being the offensive party.
The Amateur generously comedies to me
creditable literary Skill 1t is an old custom
to give something sweet after naseous dose;
no doubt it is very comforting, yet | must con-
fess l esteem the conciliatory sweetmeat less
tolerable than the nostrum, consequently am
but an Indifferent judge of the sort of consola-
ton the Amateur would relish, after my having
administered q charge of ignorance. He will,
| trust, find sufficient consolation in having
given to the world new description of soap
bubble.
He says, "it is not well to stamp an adyer-
sary with the brand of ignorance without know
ing whether he makes any very great preten-
sions to knowledge" cannot say whether che
makes p,etensiOrs," pretensiOns certainly made
his appeal, by which he illustrates the mill duel
in Don Quixote, but most strangely reverses the
o,,lar ne hat AZ IL
windmill tits against the knight, who being
unavoidably within range of the flaps is re.
CURED to remain quiescent to receive their
Bullets. Although he may impersonate this
formidable conquerer of the hero Of La Mancha,
it by no means follows that am the inimitable
knight errant; in fact, / surrender to the
Amateur the whole credit of the tableau.
The Amateurs professions to knowledge
were beyond doubt, when be attacked the pur-
suits of an individual whom competent autho-
rity had empowered to perform responsible
task. The modest Amateur did not think it
necessary to make inquiries as to my preten.
sions, before he interrupted my pursuits by an
unwarranted attack ofnearly two long columns of
a journal, upon my motives and yeracity. And
this production which he Rugged to his soul
was based upon the last paragraph of my cir
cular, which was an after thought, the result of
excessive anxiety, and indeed the suggestion of
another, during conversation upon the sub
ject, just as the paper was going to press.
Had ! anticipated the lightning of Jove, or
the levers of the mill, it is probable there would
have been no occasion now for an offering to
appease his wrath. | apologize for not dis
covering the limit of his pretensions, by own.
ing my inability to see through milestone. 1t
may be construed that sufficiently requite his
complimentary remarks, by making him any
reply but if his moiety Of patronage is de.
signed to elicit return in similar coin, can
cancel the obligation, perfectly, by saying,
many ambitious contributors might envy his
pencraft, particularly in his dissertation upon
soap.
The Amateur, in defining his title, uses the
primitive definition, forgetting that the term
has become purely technical There are four
titles used to distinguish grounds for preten-
sions in virtn and art-artist, amateur, con-
noisseur, and dillitante. The first practises an
art as profession, the second ptactises an art
privately for the love of it, the third studies an
art to become Judge or critic, and the fourth
is lover and collector of works of art.
OF course l consider Amateur" one Of
those fortunate beings who can make or break
heads without regard to cost. Surprising every
body is familiar with these very proper distinc.
tons, my conclusion was decided as to his
claims, and if did not envy the Amateur y
the use he made of his pen, / did his good for
tune, for my. fancy pictured him poetrys sculp-
tor; high-tuned soul played upon by the
minds happy throes-one Of the blessed, who
are never unstrung by the rude Jars Of the
world, or tormented ofdegrading necessity.
But in this, as in too frequent instances, the
imagination proves a cheat. The word anna
teur,a' is threadbare simply borrowed old
garment which does not fit the masauerador.
He congratulates himself for having nothing
to do with art, his occupations are far differ.
ent. His position then, if he has any at all. is
that of lofty looker-on! proud impression
list. His next remark indicates the "artiste
friend" modern version Of dillitan,i; he gen.
erously says, that $50 far from combining his
admiration to well authenticated artists he
would most cordially acknowledge any produc
ton Of mine worthy Of praise, and would use
his humble efforts to bring me before the pub
lie for commentator and reward" He then
says he is perfectly harmless person, and
would forever regret doing me an injury The
first is the cream, and the second the milk Of
human kindness. should be greatly in want
of sensibility we're not to acknowledge a
grateful sense of his fostering benevolence.
Dut, singular 10 say, cannot consider any Der
son who has not studied art and nature, the one
through the medium Of the other, qualified to
determine an artists proficiency, or the amount
of reward due his productions. There is no
species Of arrogance so distastefu as the pat
ronage of pretender, or one of merely inAu-
entail position. There is not always the great
est danger where there is the most angry noise.
nor does it follow that pomposity indicates cold
ness of heart. am wiling to believe the
amateur more q peacock, spreading his bright
colors in the sun, than the wolf in sleeps
clothing.
should be sorry to produce the impression
upon the reader that am speaking of an indi-
vidual, which would be an error, for | have
studiously avoided enquiry or suspicion in re-
gard to the author OF the appeal, fearing it
might prejudice me against an estimabe per-
son who has, by enthusiasm and incorrect in
formation, thrust me into position. which
might subject me to the wrath and Indignation
OF confding public. To know this writer by
name would divert, probably, my attention
from the author to the man, which would not