Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-09-27
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

WARRINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.
RecollectioDs Of Gibson, the Washington
Artist When we mingle with the men of
our early acquaintance, fond thoughts and
recoliections of the times that are past, take
possession of the mind; thoughts of days that
have been enjoyed whom hope was buoyant,
and young and vigorous blood coursed through
Its channels with energy, feeding beautifully
those sources from which all enjoyment must
emanate when we meet it is with diminished
numbers; there is always some one or more
who have yielded to their destiny, and com.
menced their course to that happy termina-
tion Of all who have we'll performed their task.
One Of those whose marked and happy fea-
lures almost daily for thirty eight years cheer
cd rs with pleasant salutation, has passed
beyond the veil which cannot be penetrated
from our present position; he can live only in
cur memories; We shall no more see him wor-
shipping his God in the house made with
hands, or walking amid natures beauties and
fragrant flowers in the open fields by the
sparkling brook, the rocky steep, nor climb
ing the eminence where extended views and
beautiful landscapes should be sought the
usual pleasure of his life. Truly our depart.
ed one was q child of Nature, and devoted to
the beauties of her work he knew, full well
how to CLEAN the gems for others advantage
and pleasure, and to point out and dwell on
their beauties with rapturous delight We
may almost say be was to fame unknown !;
modest and retiring in his habits, seeking
only to advance others and encourage and
cheer them on. Although possessing genius
and talent that might have attained a high
position among modern painters, still, he was
not urged to exertiOn the force Of circum.
stances was not favorable, and shis works
that are TO live after him are but few. To
encourage others and supply them with that
which he so much needed, was his great aim
there was always with him kind and sooth-
ing word Of sympathy; his many pupils will
feel this and give his memory the passing
tribute of sigh, or perhaps a tear. If our
departed friend, Richard Gibson, did not pos.
sess the knowledge of educa art in foreign
schools, his power in initiating nature, his
only school, was rarely excelled. An English
lady, an amateur Of some note, in converse.
ton with Mr.. Gibson, regretted that Amor.
lean painters, although giving to the world
such evidence Of talent had neglected that
beautiful style known as panorama painting,
she having seen panorama of Niagara by
one Of his countrymen exhibited in New York
which did not meet her expectations, whereas,
previous to leaving England she had been
highly delighted with the beauty and artistic
merit Of similar panorama. by an English
artist. Mr.. Gibson acquiesced in the opinion as
expressed, of the different paintings, and mod
estly requested permission to explain; it was
in him q duty, his countrymen being impli.
Gated. The panorama exhibited in New York
was in fact by an English artist, whilo that in
England, whatever merit it possessed, must be
fathered by himself.
Some years since he was engaged to make
sketches of the Falls Of Niagara, and paint
large panorama, that above referred to-
which, On completion, was exhibited 10 the
public in temporary circular building erect
ed on the east end Of the reserya alton between
Thirteenth and Fourteenth streets, PenusvIva.
MIA avenue. To view the panorama. visitors
sscended several steps to a circular platform
extending to within about fifteen feet Of the
painting at the.edgs of this platform, a rail
elevated four feet above its surface, was car.
ried round and secured, from which. TO the
door, green baize was suspended, thus secur.
ing position from which to view the paint.
ing without seeing the lower edge of thu
canvas. While viewing the painting. and
admiring the optical delusion with sevs,sI
otners on the platform, (some of whom, MAJ
now DC living and remember IN. .;,
'An0' party assembled the steps. followed
Dya water spaniel, which expres..d 80,
uaeasiness by whining and bowI,.
hnaily dashed over the railing and e.,
into, as he thought. his loved elem.nt
He, too, like mortals, was deceived hi 80
the undoubted evidence of the e,.s,,.,
the painting In the olden time, two vs.ss
OF 1o"ers were produced, the product of n..
lure and art, that of art being 50 exquisitely
beautiful as to defy ordinary judgment in dis.
"nguisnlng the difference. The wise man te
Hhom they were referred, ordered the w;ndo,,
~ % 'hi0-n open and the vases exposed
o 'inalcated her superiority; the hum.
oie zee could not be deceived. Tn. moo, 40,
va sorely deceived land hovIed mos, n,,.ou.
~ anu 'ho' established our friends merit
fne capitol and Post Office R.t.r.;,,
I" WI % recoiieetsd that, during III. 80,
session Of Congress, the Hon N, Nm y
s"'' iOr the purpose Of making . listl. Mana, =