Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-08-11
CIR Ell NOU GH
From Tuckcrnau's Memorial OF Grccuoual, in 4
i' published by Putnam.
Ills PUBLIC SPIRIT.

Is published by Putman.l
Ills PUBLIC SPIRIT.
The results of studies and experience
were the property of his friends A dis
interested mental activity was the dis
tinctiye and invaluabletrait ofhis charac-
ter. There is no doubt that if his life
had been preserved he would have proved
most attractive and useful teacher
through the rostrum and the press, in
departments of thought and action COM
paratively neglected among us. The
principles of art he could unfold with the
highest intelligence; and, without an har-
monius and complete system, he had
attained to many just conceptions of the
philosophy of life.
HIS LAST ILLNESS.
Greenough's temperament was both
sanguine and nervous-a combination
more favorable to a receptive and sympa-
thetic, than self-posSessed and tranquil
character. Accordingly he was of an
eXcitable nature, and required for the
healthful exercise of his mind and wise
enjoyment of life, at once a genial, free,
and harmonious sphere. Artist-life in
Italy, so calm, absorbing, and undisturb-
ed, was filted to his nature. The ameni-
ties of a domestic circle, the pleasant
stimulous of intellectual companionship,
the wholesome occupation of body and
mind, were to him peculiar neccssity.-
The restless, bustling, ever changeful
existence that infects the very atmosphere
OF this country, were sometimes oppres-
slve and irritating. He felt the absence
of that equability and routine, that keeps
brain and heart SO well balanced in the
old cities of Europe.
He missed the graduations by which
the temperature seems to adapt itself to
the sensitive frame. In the climate, the
society, the mode of life, he found it
almost impossible to escape the hurried,
alternating, fitful spirit of the land. 1t
seemed as if the genius of enterprise
around had infected his mind with ten
dency to action at once impulsive and
uncertain. He constantly broached new
plans: and sought to attach others to his
own aims. The transition from serene
to an eAcltable social atmosphere, from a
conservative t. progressive country,
was too abrupt for a nature both sensi-
tive and aspiring. He caught the spirit
OF the times, and was eager to throw his
energies into the stream of popular activi-
ty. There was soon obvious not SO much
an inconsistency of thought as a want of
correspondence between his ayowed SEN
timents and purposes and his actions. 1t
was evident that his mind had become
unduly excited, as is so often the case
with the novice in American life. But in
this instance the physical result was un-
usual and inexpressibly sad. A brain
fever terminated, after few day 'sillness,
the life of Greenough. 1t may be re-
garded as fortunate circumstance, that
the attack occurred at his house in New
port, and while he was surrounded by
those most near and dear to him.
lie was subsequently removed to the
vicinity of Boston, for the benefit of med
ical treatment. While the life->truggle
was going on, we can imagine the agony
OF suspense that brooded over his house
hold at Newport, where severe illness
kept his dearest companion. The fatal
issue was anticipated by the italian SER
vants-two Tuscan women who had ac-
companied the family on their return.
With that passionate grief characteristic
of the race, they burst forth one wintrv
afternoon with the declaration that the
Padrone would surely die, because a
large owl had descended the chimney and
was found in the parlor; the incident
awakened their latent superstition, and
the bird of ill-omen was deemed the GER
tain precursor of death. A few hours af-
terwards came the sad tidings, but they
were mitigated, as far as such desolation
can be, by the facts that his sufferings
were inconsiderable, and the delusions
incident to his malady, of gay rather
than a despairing nature. His strength
gradually yielded to the cerebral excite
ment, and he expired on Saturday morn
ing, the 18th Of December, 1852.
he had been naturally impatient on his
return to America, to settle himself in an
agreeable locality with his studioarranged
to his taste, fine subject in the process
of execution, and his family and house.
hold gods around him. But owing to the
unjustifiable delay of the government in
sending for his group at Leghorn, to the