Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-01-12
THE LDEN TIME.
Mrs. Wright-Franklin's Head-Anecdot

came oddly in contact with the eccentric
Mrs. Wright, on my arrival at Paris from
Nantes. Giving orders from the balcony OF
| the Hotel d'York, TO my English servant, /
was assailed by powerful female voice, cry
ing out from an upper story, "Wko are you
An American, hope" {" Yes, madam" |
| replied; land who are you" In two min
utes she came clustering down stairs, with the
familiarity of an old acquaintance. We were
soon on the most excellent terms | discov-
cred that she was in the habit OF daily inter
course with Franklin, and was visited and
carressed by all the respectable Americans in
Paris. She was a native of New Jersey, and
by profession, a moulder of wax figures. The
wild flights of her powerful mind stamped ori-
glnality on all her acts and language. She
was tall and athletic figure; walked with a
firm, bold step, and erect as an Indian. Her
complexion was somewhat sallow, her cheek
bones high, her face furrOwed, and her olive
eyes keen, piercing, and expressive. Her
sharp glance was appalling; it had almost the
wlldness of the maniac.
The vigor and originality of her conversation
eorresponded with her manners and appear
ance. She would utter language, in her in
cessant vOlubility, as if unconscious to whom
directed, that would put her hearers to the
blush. She apparently possessed the utmost
simplicity of heart and character.
With the head of wax upon her lap, she
would mould the most accurate lkenesses, by
the mere force of a retentive recollection of
the traits and lines of the countenance she
would form her likenesses by the manipulation
of the wax with her thumb and finger. Whilst
thus engaged, her strong mind poured forth an
uninterrupted torrent of wild thoughts, and
anecdotes, and "reminiscences of men and events
She went to London about the year l767, near
the period of Franklin's appearance there as
the agent of Pennsylvania. The popularity
of her character, and the excellence of her wax
hgures, made her rooms in Pail Mall, fash
iOnable lOunging place for the nobility and
distinguished men Of England. Here her deep
penetration and sagscity, cloaked by her ap-
parent simplicity of purpose, enabled her to
gather many facts and secrets important TO
" dear America"-her uniform expression in
referring to her native land, which she dear
ly loved.
She was genuine republican and ardent
whlg. The king and queen often visited her
rooms: they would induce her to work upon
her heads, regardless of their presence She
would often, as if forgetting herself, address
them as George and Charlotte This fact she
often mentioned to me herself Whilst in Eng
land, she communicated much important in
formation to Franklin, and remained in Lon
don until rs or '76, engaged in that kind cf
intercourse with him, and the American gov
eminent, by which she was placed in posi-
ton of extreme hazard.
saw her frequently in Paris, in 81, and in
various parts of England, from 80 to '94. Her
letters followed me in my travels through
Europe. l had assisted her at Paris, had ex-
tended aid to her son at Nantes, and given
him free passage in one of our ships to
America. Her gratitude was unoounded.
This son was a painter and artist of some emf
nence, and in 1884 took a model of Washing
tons head in plaster. L heard, from WASH
ington himself, an amusing annecdote con-
neeted with this bust.
In January, 1885, L enjoyed the inestimable
privilege of a visit under his roof, in the alb
sence Of all visitors. Among the many inter
esting subjects which engaged our conversa-
ton in long winter evening, (the most valu-
able OF my llfe,) in which his digniied lady
and Miss Custis united, he amused US by re-
latlng the incident Of the taking of this model |
g Wright came to Mount Vernon" " the Gen |
eral remarked, with the singular request |
that should permit him to take model of |
my face in plaster of Paris, to which con-
sented with some reluctance. He oiled my |
features over, and placing me fat upon my |
back, upon cot, proceeded to daub my face /
with the plaster. Whilst in this ludierous at
tude, Mrs. Washington catered the room, and