The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-26

old man. loo, OF uIdKEcd
like criminal before ITS bar 10 answer Tor the result OF
his ndepend scientific labors We laugh al The fool
ish nqusiton OF the fifteenth century, which endeavored
to keep the world from moving but il more
ridiculous than this German OF the nineteenth
tury which strives TO arrest the progress of humanity
The publication OF this work by Gervinus shows how
impossible il is for the despolsms, with all their cautions
and penalties stop the spread of free thought They
suppress newspapers seize pamphlets abolish lecture
degree offensive, but before they the trouble
breaks out in place, IN some learned history, a
treatise science. The truth is, Gervinus demon
srates the current of human progress is towards demo-
cratic institutions and all the governments Of the world
combined would find ii impossible to arrest its course.
American Artists in Rome.
We take from recent letter OF Grace Greenwood's to
the National Era the following account Of what the
American artists who have been in Rome this winter,
doing in the way of sculpture and painting
Undoubtedly the most interesting and important work
Of ari now being executed in Rome TO Americans at
leasD is the Washington Monument, by Mr. Crawford,
ordered, TO her honor by Virginia. and destined to be
the chief ornament and pride of her handsome capital
The entire height OF he monument TO be sixty feet This
includes the equestrian statue OF Washington, sixteen
feet in height Below this, which is to stand on square
pedestal, scuptured with admirable bassi relievi,
are ranged the OF Six OF Vglnas nobles
Marshall, Mason, Allen, Lee, Jefferson. and Patrick
Henry. These figures to be twelve feet In height.
On the lower range of steps, surrounding the monument
are TO be placed six eagles hive feet IN height
The only figures now finishes are the statues OF Patrick
Henry and Jefferson, and these surely remarkable
exhibitions OF pewer--absolue triumphs OF genius.
Henry represented in the lofty passion of his fevd and
majestic eloquencen the height of that grand outburst
OF freedom and patriotism which electrified the land and
will yet thrill like umpe-ca through the hearts OF
his counrymen, while they prize their dear-bought lib
critics. reverence the heroic past You see not alone
in this face the fire and the force OF the impassorpd
orator. but the sustaining strength OF the hero and the
prescience OF the prophet
In striking contrast with this animated and powerful
figure is that of Jefferson He stands in an attitude OF
calm deep thought grit about with all the native majesty
Of geaness-wh all the dignty of the statesmen and
patriot He looks here what he was-he utterer OF the
prooundest political and moral truth proclaimed 10
the world. You recognise in him the moulding power
and the controlling will Of government, and you seem to
read in his face, not alone the deep specuiaons OF the
philosopher and the large projects OF the statesman but
the dsstlnes OF nations.
The drapery In both these noble figures wonderfully
well managed. The costume of the time OF the Tevou-
ton, though far enough from the classic, Yet less
stiff and meagre than that of day, and the artist has
here relieved concealed much Of the ungracefu
detail by skiliu introduction OF the cloak. ~
Separately and together these statues strike me
among the finest productions OF modern sculpture
marked by most impressive dignity by originality, forct,
and grandeur OF sentiment They about being
in bronze at Munich. Mr. Crawford is 10 make use OF
Houdon's bust OF Washington the most reliable like
The horse, though ye, in very rough state prom
Uses to be magnificent work II - represented as Just
curbed up from ro not rearing-full OF strength and
fire, but rebelllousa steed fully worthy OF his rider
and one which will inevitably suggest comparisons dec-
dedly onfavorabe 10 certain weak Tailed charger who
holds his thin the air from the top OF Hyde Park
gate.
The small studies for the remaining figures of this
monument, strike happy and truthful preeenments
OF character, are important parts OF noble whole and
form grand circle OF supports and accessories 10 that
peerless principal. Nothing so impressed me with
the greatness OF Washington seeing such hgures as
these placed subordinate to his and feeling the entire nj
| ness OF such arrangement
The last finished work of Mr. Crawford is Flora
an exceedingly graceful and beautiful figure. He is now
putting into marble charming group OF The Babes IN the
Wood.
Mr. Story is engaged upon a labor OF love, in model
ing the statue of his father, The late Justice Story lie
to TO be making noble work OF II. The head
is exceedingly fne the face wearing mingled express
sion OF bengnity and strength, OF calm thought and &C.
NAL kindness, peculiarly beautiful The figure is sitting;
the attitude has the dignity OF The Judge, without rgldy
or sternness the judicial robe is managed most judi.
ciously, and forms drapery graceful as imposing
Mr. Story has in his studio little study Tor an ideal
statue, the subject taken, believe, from Spenser-an
Arcadan shepherd boy piping, am delighted with the
youthful grace OF this figure, and with the sentiment OF
the pure prmeva music, il may so express Il, which
speaks alone in face but IN form and attitude even.
Mr.. Richard Greenough IS now modelling striking
and original group-a shepherd boy attacked while rob-
bling eagles nest and defending himself against the
enraged eagle The youth is crouched upon one knee,
and just about TO plunge his knife into the body OF the
bird who has aghied his shoulder. His attitude Is
full Of spirit, and hs lace has me expression o.
late sad loss in compelling him to return to America,
will not obge him long 10 abandon work which prom
lses much. -
Mr' Mozier has in progress several ideal works. The
one fahest advanced s figure OF Silence, which, as
yet chiefly remarkable for the ghness and graceful
very pleasing composition is group called "Reect-
ed Addresses"-a sitting figure OF a little girl, holding
her kitten, which dog at her knee IL striving IN vain
10 concliae The attitude and look OF the little girl
are very pretty and arch, but the group 10 yet hardly 10
state to be described in detail
With some OF the works of Mr.. Ives have been much
pleased II not enthusiast, he seems consceDtious
student in his art II he does produce works start,
ngly powerful and original whatever be does be does
we'll He models with taste. feeling. and careful hnsh
His portrait busts 10 remarkably good, and some
OF his ideal busts exceedingly hne Ot the atler,l
like, especially head OF Ariadne--iull OF beauty oil
noble character.
Mr. Rodgers-a young sculptor oil much talent and
promisehas lately executed marble, figure OF Ruth,
which is very lovely; and one of charming, and,
think, entirely original subject-a little skater, making
one OF his first essays the ice. This last which il
called :" The Trusnt," delights greatly by certain
freshness OF feeling there is about it. and by ts grace,
novelty, and natur slness
Mr.. Bartholomew has two ideal figures, lately com
menced which cannot yet be Judged Of except BY their
studies, which are very pleasing This artist seems to
excel in basso rei,epo He has in his studio beautiful
monumental group and a Homer with his young gside,
which is marked by force, grace, and delicate feeling
Mr.. Page is here painting some admirable pictures, ana
talking grandly art 10 his sltiers and Trends ne nas
peculiar, but, think. profoundly Just IDEAS CON
corning portrait painting. He desires to know wen ns
sliers. and requires 10 grasp somewhat mote 'aaa os
surface life for his picture, which ne MAKES n"oy VI
character, revelation of soul, as compared WIN o'ner
portraits; a reality, instead of likeness living pres
ence in place OF haunting, unsausiysos snsuo~' ms
pietures have about them that mysterious someh'ng OF
Tho senen and the vital, which makes You nall believe
Tho, tho artist has wresed the creative secret ron the
aalons beart of Nature You look to see the rcb lights,
r n The hair the lips breaking into smiles, the breast
al haaf uatp Tho