Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-03-01


1t is assuredly both desirable and proper that
there should belong to the American people,
and descend to their Posierity, faithful por-
traiture OF their WASHINGTON. They have 10
their own country all the materials requisite
aud necessary for such work nor need they
10 go abroad TO ensure its most happy execution
they having artistic genius and skill of the
highest order at home.
The earliest original Of the Paier Pa,ria is
the portrait of Colonel Washington painted by
Charles Wilson Peale, in l772, and now in
fine preservation at Arlington House. This
splendid and most interesting picture formed
the principal ornament of the parlor at Mount
Vernon for tweniy-seven years, and for the
truth Of its resemblance To the Washington of
Colonial times DIR. James Craik was frequently
applied to, who pronounced il TO be faithful
likeness Of the Provincial Colonel in the prime
OF life. The venerable James Craik, it is well
known, was the associate and bosom friend of
the Chief from 1854 TO the last days at Mount
Vernon.
Next in order Of succession We have full
length Of the Commander-in-Chief,p painted by
Pcale in l779. during the Revolution. This
Peale may be very properly styled the soldier
artist for in .sprng-time he would lay aside
his palette, and, commanding company, fight
campaign, and on going into winter quarters,
take up his palette again, and paint the por-
traits Of the great men Of the army of lndepen-
dence. The soldier artist gave a most graphic
and amusing account of his painting the por-
trait Of General Green at Valley Forge. He
said "The wreIched hut that formed my stu
dio had but two articles of furniture-an old
bedstead and ,hree-legged chair The Gen
eral being heavy man, placed him upon the
bedsiead, while sleadied myself as well as |
could upon the rickety chair it was awfuly
cold, and had every few moments to thrust my
hands into the FIRE 10 enable me to hold my PEN
Gill; In such studio, and with such appli-
ances, was painted the only reliable likeness
that we have of the llusirious soldier who was
the hero Of the South, and second only TO him
who was first of all. sa
Peale delighted TO relate incidents that oc-
CURED during his intercourse at various times
with Washington, particularly the display of
the vast physical prowess of the Chief in I'VE.
! He said Zone afternoon several young gem
were engaged in pitching the bar, one Of the
athletic sports common in those days, when sud-
denly The Colonel appeared among us. He re-
quesied to be shown the pegs that marked the
bounds Of our efforts then, smiling, and with.
out putting off his coat, held out his hand for
the missile. "No sooner" observed the mar
rator, with emphasis, "did the heavy iron bar
feel the grasp of his mighty hand than it los,
the power Of grayilalion, and whizzed through
The air, striking the ground far, very far, be-
yond our utmost limits. We were indeed
amazed, as we stood around, all stripped 10 the
buff, with shirt sleeves rolled up, and having
thought ourselves very clever fellows, while
the Colonel, on retiring, pleasantly observed,
When you beat my pitch, young gentlemen,
I'll try again."
In 1890 appeared the equestrian portrait Of
the Chief by Colonel 'rrumbull. In the exc
cullon of this fine work Of art the painter had
Standings as well as sitlings-the white charg
er, fully caparisoned, having been led out and
held by groom, while The Chief was placed
by the artist by The side of the horse, the right
arm resting on the saddle. In this novel mode
The relative positions of the man and horse
were skeched out and afterwards transferred to
canvass. There is copy, size Of life, of the
equestrian portrait by Trumbull in the City
Hall of New York, The figure of Washing
ton, as delineaied by Colonel Trumbnl, is the
most perfect eXlant.
In 1850 the FIRST President lost his teeth, and
The artificial ones with which he was furnished
answering very imperfeclly the purpose fol
which they were intended, a marked change
occurred in the appearance Of his face, more
especially in the projection Of the under lip
which forms so Distinguishing feature in the
works Of Stuart and others who painted por
traits of the great man subsequent to 1889.