Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-08-21


from the Gude-book:
GA band of Wnncbagoes, on mission to Wash
ington, once come through the Rotunla. They
were noble looking fellows, dressed in their own
style. Their faces were variously painted; in
their belts were their scalDing knives ana toma-
hawks, and slung over their backs, their bows and
arrows. Passing through the Rotunla, their at
tention was caught by this group, Boone killing
the Indian. They Immediately formed SEMI
circle, and, while the chief stepped forward and
stood before the rest, they looked intent!y, scruti
nizing and recognizing every part Of the scene,
until suddenly, as if by one impulse, they raised
the dreadful war-hoop, and rar from the hail.
But the most interesting of the gathered trca-
sures, which adorn this magnificent garner Of art,
are the eight large historical paintings, before
mentioned. Four are from the pencil Of Col
Trumbull and besides being fine specimens of
painting are exceedingly valuable as preserving
to MI time accurate and life-lkc portraits of the
men of the Revolution. Col. TRrMnrLL you
know, was himself hero in the struggle, mem
ber of the military family and m intimate friend
of Washington, and had not only the best oppor-
tunity of obtaining correct likcnesses of his CO.
laborers but was an active partcipator in some
of the thrilling scenes which, after the battles were
ended, he so faithfully gave to posterity. The first
to be mentioned is the Signing ofthe Declaration Of
Independence. 1t represents graphically the STIR
ring scene in old Independence Hall, Philadelphia,
rs the fearless, fre-heartcd HANCOCK inscrbcs his
own ut the head of the column of great and orna-
mental names, with, the firm cOuntcuances and
commanding forms Of the author, Jefferson, and
of Franklin, Adams, Livingston and Sherman, his
co-workers, gathered around him; while seated
here and there, all the noble heroes, whose fame is
written on the scroll treasured above all in the
temple of our Liberties, in every form and fea-
ture silently approving the act which proclaimed
that s'these united Colonies are, and Of right ought
to be, free and independent States" A scene it
was, worthy to be, rs it has been, fifty commemo-
rated. Copies Of this picture have been frequent
ly engraved, and most Of our readers probably have
now better conception of it than can give.
The next is "The Surrender of General Bur-
goyne," to General Gates, at Saratoga, 9TH Octo-
ber l777-containing portraits Of the rival COM
manders, Of Putnam, Stark, Morgan, Schuyler,
and other distinguished officers of the army of
the North. The third, ''The Surrender of Lord
CORVALLIS at Yorktown" represents the last act
of the great drama Of the Revolution, and pre-
scnts accurate portraits Of Washington, Lincoln,
Hamilton, Wayne, Trumbull, Steuben, and Of our
patriot allies Lafayette, Rochambeau, and their
fellow-soldicrs, rs they lived and acted. The
fourth portrays the crowning glory of the life Of
Washington the Resigning of his Commission at
Annapolis, December 90, 1888. Probably no scene
has ever been enacted by mortal man which so
entirely possesses the elements Of true moral gran
deur and none more truthfully attcsts the beauty,
the sublimity, the almost God-like perfection
marking all tho traits which constituted the great
character of our Washington. The artist could
not help but feel the inspiration from such fit
ting and touching theme, and in every feature Of
his masterpiece the inspiration of true genius has
been imprinted. But if it were of no other value
the lovely face of the woman who won the heart
of the Father Of his Country rs she smiled q
sweet approval Of the act which crowned the free
ts--, of her oor.nery and snre u husband to her
home, would make it worthy Of its place, and de-
mand for it an universal appreciation.
Other paintings are the "Embarkation of the
Pilgrims from Delft Haven, Holland, July 21st
1920: the Landing Of Columbus" by Vanderlye;
the Baptism of Pocahontas,' by Chapman the
discovery of the Mississippi by Desoto May
15n," by Powell and over the Western entrance
has recently been placed Hcaley's great painting
-"Franklin, with the American Commissioners,
to recognize the Independence of the American
Colonies" The last named has some points, es-
pecially of drapery, in which, think it surpasses
any painting have yet seen; but I cannot profit
ably employ your valuable space by alluding more
particularly to it or to the others have mention
cd.
Of all these splendid triumphs of American art
none took such fast hold upon me as the "Depar-
ture of the Pilgrims"-a t ?me which is invested
with all the charms Of pure romance, and which
is here represented with business, q delcacy
and beauty of tone, expression and finish, which
ought to give to the work n reputation wherever
art is known. But point out this subject, rather
for the purpose of paying homage to the bewitch-
ing loveliness of the face of the rife Of Miles STAN
dsh As she krccs with the pilgrims fathers in
prayer, leaning trustingly and lovingly upon the
manly form other husband, and with clear, bright,
beaming eyes looks forth womans quick intelli-
gence, womans pure devotion and q woman's
trucst love, you are thrilled with the realization
of the most exquisite beauty, and catch glimpse
of that pure and angelic light which must illumine
all the vaulcd aislcs of Heaven, aud floods with
rapture all the hosts that throng around the
throne of God. have stood there for hours, and
yet verify believe then is enough of heaven on
earth in that face to charm the most obdurate
heart forever. There is nothing Grecian, nothing
Roman-no Circassinn feature there-nothing but
the purely Saxon faces of simple-hearted pill
grim woman, whose posterity even now mark out
and perpctuate her noble character, and in some
degree redeem the almost object degration into
which the pilgrims posterity have fallen. Until
you have gazed upon that countenance, reader,
let me tell you, you know nothing of the Beauti-
full.
In the Rotundo, is nlso to be seen plaster cast
of Houdons celebrated Statue of Washington, the
original of which, said to be Though hope it is