Washington sentinel., 1854-04-01
O. 0 m m uaifate0. /.
Houdon,s Statue In the CAPITOL.

/ An article on Houdon's statue OF Washing
/ ton appeared in the Sentinel of the 23d o
March, written by Mr.. Robert Mills, architect
He expresses great pleasure at Witnessing in
the rotunda of the Capitol "the fac-simile
of Houdon's representation of Pdter Parid' =
1t seems, indeed, that his interest in the fact
causes him to overlook the motive as well as
the individual who placed it there; for his pub
lication is not only confined to professional
views of his own, but to carry them out he
recommends using the statue only with modi-
fcations. MIR. Mills'sappreciation ofthe statue,
however, as the only real representation ol
Washington, is both important and just-im-
portant, because the name of an artist will be
considered by many good authority, and this
statue stands in need of all such aid to over.
come prejudices in favor of established like
nesses, to which the public mind and eye have
become accustomed, and from which this in
every particular differs.
Had the world been aware that Houdon
made his statue from casts which he took oi
Washington's face and figure, the millions oi
stupid effigies to which his name is appended
never would have had existence. Scarcely a
day passes without the production of some new
version of Washington's appearance, yet moth
ing has satisfied the discriminating that this
true type exists Thousands have already seen
the cast have had placed in the rotunda and
although the remarks, "noble figure, calm,
majestic countenance, and high work of art
are universally made, still the absence of those
harsh caricature features produce belief that
this is mere allegory, which proves the import
ance Of the competent few making known to
the world facts which at sonce would dispel the
disagreeable and unsatisfactory impressions
now so prevalent. Neither history nor biog-
raphy has placed before the general reader
in collective form the interesting incidents
connected with the authenticity of this faithful
work.
How beautiful and touching are the negotia-
tions and correspondence between Franklin,
Jefferson, Washington, and Houdon. When
ton made by his State would prevent the
greatest sculptor of his age crossing the ocean,
Houdon said, with enthusiasm, "that the glory
of his life would be to know that his name
would be handed down to posterity connected
with that good and great man." Houdon,
knew that he would be great loser by the
undertaking, yet he resigned magnificent en-
gagements with Russia and the most refined
courts of Europe to cross the then dreaded
Atlantic to be enabled to modestly cut his
name in the plinth of statue representing the
true Father of Freedom.
My object in noticing Mr. Mills's article is,
to suggest that, with due Difference to his ex-
cellent Judgment, deliberation should be used
in trespassing upon the design of Houdon, or
changing the location of that and other monu-
ments. Houdon's original idea was, it is true,
to portray Washington without accompani-
ments or ornament, but to place Characteristic
emblems in the pedestal; in which his taste
yielded to that of others interested in the COM
mission. / humbly submit that Houdon, being
great artist, his work should not be revised
in any particular; for, if notifications are per
mitted in the first copies, endless licenses would
soon deprive the original of the important fea-
lures OF identity. A thought or production in
art should be sacred to the inventor. There
fore, it is safer to multiply Houdon's statue
than risk it to the fancy or conception of ar
fists, who are always inclined to infuse their
own individuality in whatever is submitted to
their skill. There is an allimportant reason
why no change should be made, and that is,
that Houdon determined the position from
seeing Washington repeatedly assume 1t. This,
then, is as valuable a record as any lneament
of the face; and, were an artist to undertake to
remove the etceteras for the purpose Of changing
the composition, he might destroy the dignifed
repose so remarkable in this statue. /, more
over, think it presumptuous in any artist to
tamper with the design of great master who
executed his portrait from the life.
The serious objection to speculating in any
particular this statue is its historical value.
II ,cas the first and only authentic dedication
made to Washington and as an isolated relic,
it should be multiplied till the whole world is
familiar with its identity. If it be changed in
its birth from obscurity, all chance for its
duplication will be lost, particularly if the fede
raj government does not do it prompt and en-
tire justice.
Mr.. Mills's plan for making gallery of the
rotunda, by opening circle into the crypts
which rest upon the tomb, and for a column to
rise above the gallery surmounted by statue,
always struck me as strange, but more par
ticularly by making this vault the mausoleum.
In the first place, the Capitol is place of busi-
ness; and although it may be considered the
heart and pulse of polical and Legislative life,
yet its character is practically material. There
cannot be any association with the spiritually
sublime, or the solemnly grand. 1t is the ma
tion's workshop. Few enter its halls to do or
think about other than worldly matters; and the
occasional whirlwind of strife and passion, which
thunder through its halls, are anything but ap-
pTOprlate SOUNDS TO I'LL Win ecnO o sacred
tomb. 1t appears to me the dead should rest
in deep silence, except, when broken by prayer
or anthem. The attributes of Washington's
character particularly tend to connect wisdom
with piety; and although his hallowed remains
may be desired in the midst of the ambitious
and law-giving, yet solitary mausoleum of
temple-like grandeur, near the Capitol, would
make deeper and more awful Impression
upon the active public, and the risk Of change
and the piles crnmbling and crushing the sa-
cred shine, would be avoided. 1t is serious
question whether his own wishes to rest,in
simple domestic grave should not be para.
mountly respected. This, however, would be
overruled by Mount Vernons passing from the
hands of his descendants.
My intention was, when ! determined to use
the chisel publicly to submit plan to Con-
gress for colossal statue founded strictly on
Houdon, to be placed on the heights Of Mount
Vernon. The figure to be about twenty feet,
on column of eighty feet, including an archi-
tectural base, in which there would be an en-