Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-08-11


mdecision as to permanent residence,
the year which intervened between his
arrival in the United States and his death,
was passed in various places and occupa-
tons, and attended with much care and
discomfort. He enjoyed, however, by
this very state of things, many opportu-
mites of social intercourse: and the inter-
walls spent with his family at Newport,
| during the last summer, were periods of
unalloyed enjoyment.
1t was at this time, and, as it were,
with prophetic sentiment that hew !:
"l am arrivcdat that smezzo del cammin,'
that halfway house, where man sees,
or thinks he sees, both ways. If my
head is not ripe it is whitening-I begin to
love to sit alone Ito look upon the skies.
the water, and the soft green-the face of
the mighty mother! feel that she thus
sweetly smiles on me-more sweetly than
| formerly, because she means to call me
home to her own bosom. | would not
pass away and not leave sign that /, for
one. born by the grace of God in this
land, found life cheerful thing and not
that sad and dreadful task with whose
prospect they scared my youth"
THE FINAL INTERVIEW.
1t was here, on the beautiful seashore.
that L once more renewed an association
commenced so many years ago in Italy;
and never, since the hour of our first ac-
quaintance, did Greenough appear more
full of noble aims, more kindled by the
inspiration of nature and society, and
more abounding in intellectual sympathy
1t is difficult to realize that the agile and
well developed form that sported with
such grace amid the pillows, is now life
less; that the nervous frame so delicately
strung no more responds to vital influ-
ences; and that the voice attuned to key
so sympathetic, and freighted with such
wealth Of mind, is hushed forever
BY singular coincidence, the last time
| saw Greenough, he took me home to
pass rainy evening, and as he sat at
work upon crayon head, we revived
together the memories of those happy
days in Italy. 1t was early in autumn.
The gay visitors at Newport had nearly
all returned to the cities, and tie ties of
friendship were drawn closer from the
more frequent and uninterrupted >oppor-
tunities of association. Imperceptibly
the hours fitted away; and was sur
prlsed to find it near midnight when |
rose to depart. | remember, during my
homeward walk to have unused of Green
ough's versatility and prolific ideas during
that interview-which | so little imag-
ined would be the last He had, in those
few hours, run through every phase of
conversation.
With the skill of consummate improv-
visatore he had told a story in the dra-
matte and artistic way peculiar to him,
painting the scene to the eye, giving the
very sensation of the experience he had
analysed, with tact and discrimination,
several characters of our mutual acquaint-
ance; he had ably discussed question
of public concern, and he had evolved
several bon-mots. In a word, his talk
was argumentative, picturesque, anecdo-
tical, earnest, philosophic and humorous
and this without the least effort or for
mality, but through the natural sugges-
tions of the moment. He made me realize
anew his varied knowledge and his indie
pendent mind. [ felt that he was capa-
BILE of the greatest social and artistic
usefulness. | recalled the consistency of
his friendship, his kind leave-taking, and
cheerful anticipation of {" another such
evening soon;" and these vivid recollec-
tons deepened the sorrow with which, a
few weeks later and in foreign land, |
was startled with the news of his death.
HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
The outline have given of fGreenough's s
career as an artist, affords but an made
quate idea Of his genius and character.
1t is the distinction of the latter, where
they possess originality and power always
to suggest more than they actualize. As
a sculptor, his executive ability fell short
of his conceptions and as a man, his
influence was quite as individual and eX-
tensive as his artistic fame. Indeed, he
was endeared to his friends and useful to
the world by virtue of larger gifts than
belong exclusively to the practical artist.
In respect to personal efficiency-that
charm and diffuses itself by the magne-
tism of association and the attrition of
mind, Greenough held memorable place
IN the estimation not only of vast num-
Der but of widely different minds. He
combined public spirit with the qualities
that insure good fellowship, and the
facility of the man of the world with the
attainments of liberal scholar, to de-
gree and in manner altogether rare,
even in this age of generalization. His
original endowments and his wide expert
ence equally contributed to this result.
He went forth in early manhood, from a
cultivated but formal society, where he
received an excellent domestic and intel
lectual training, urged by natural love
Of art in a special form but by virtue of
his broad intelligence and generous SYM