Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-06-29
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.


the head Of " A Visit 20 Clark Mills's Studio,''
has occasioned some discussion, especially that
portion Of IL criticiZing the Houdon (Richmond)
statue Of Washington. The Richmond papers
naturally take up the cudgels in defence of the
Richmond statue, but with pettish heat that
looks rather like disposition to defend their
representation of Washington through thick and
thin, rather than to satisfy themselves, dispas-
sionatrly whether or not II is the best represent
alton Of the Father of his Country to be had AS
u matter OF State and national pride, we should
suppose they would encourage, rather than aSsaiI
an attempt to develop the noblest and most salts
factory personification of Washington possible
The defenders of the Richmond statue cannot
be ignorant that this is not the first time that dis
satisfaction has been expressed in repard to the
Pinched features and peTked up face of the Rich
mond Washington. We remember some years
ago upon the advent Of the HUBBARD copy of the
HOudon Washington we think il was y that this
matter was the subject Of discussion in the news
papers Of the day. We propose to refer to that
discussion again as soon as we can lay our hands
on the papers containing H. Meantime, we may
mention that the New York Evening Post high
authority in art matters, while admitting defect
III the Richmond Washington, speaks of il
OccasiOned by the head of the statue being
- turned up at an unnatural angle, in order TO
Counteract the effect of the light, which, coming
dSom the top OF the rOtunda of the Capitol, where
The statue was placed, would shade the features
should the head be kept in its natural position
This defect is avoided in the bHSf taken by Hon
don, where the head is placed on the shoulders
at the proper and habitual elevation assumed by
the great original
r.fl
: inal bust of HOudOn has been followed by H. K
Browne, the sculptor, in his noble equestrian
statue Of Washington in Union Square, New
York city.
The Post says: The head of Browns statue
was moulded exactly rom the original marble
bust which came from Houdon's hand now in
possession OF Senator Fish of this city The poise
of the head in this bust is entirely natural and
has nothing of the perched-up elevation of the
head on the Richmond statue
" This bust was the first head of WASHINGTON
in marble which Houdon made; in fact, IL was
made before the statue itself. The gentleman
who hrst ordered 1t of Houdon changed his mind
ana u came into possession of Colonel Gibbs
whose widow disposed of 1t about four wears
since TO Brown the sculptor. After having used
IT as model for his bronze equestrian statue
Brown was about Offering il to Congress for the
sum OF Sl,OO, although preferring TO have il re-
main in New York, as attestation. perhaps of
Inc correctness OF his copy Having spoken to
MI John ii Gourlie Of this intention. the latter
suggested that Mr.. Fish, who was one of the sub
>cnners 10 the statue on Union square, might be
willing to buy it, This suggestion agreed exact
~ with the wishes of the sculptor, who volun-
teered, If Mr. Fish would become the purchaser
TO sell II for ScUO. On hearing of the offer MIR
fs1 al once accepted, provided the genuinenesS
81 the bust should be authenticated, and the mar
pie should prove in good condition. He would
nave undoubtedly given twice the sum named
Tor so valuable and Interesting a relic
" Senator Fish is thus the pOssessor of one of
the only two original busts of Washington ever
made by HoudOn. Where the other is we do moi
know From the language of the journal whose
statements we have alluded to, il may be inferred
that Clark Mills is the owner of the plaster cast
from which the buStS were modelled This as tx
well known, Is the only cast ever taken from the
lace OF the illustrious subject the French sculp-
Ior (houdon) having passed two weeks at Mount
vernon in the autumn of I7S5 while moulding il
and greatly to the annoyance of Washington, who
Ia MS correspondence expresses his Tepuunance
10 The plaster application on his visaoe The Su-
PeroTlty OF the HoudOn head to the heads made
by other sculptors is universally conceded
Inc question at issue is merely that of Houdon
81 HoudOn, and nothing is easier than to COM
pare the original HoudOn bust with the head
which surmounts the Richmond statue The
latter we have never seen, and can only speak of
u from Hu0ard 5 copy in the Capitol rOtunda
rms HubaTd, quite evidently. Judging from
me tone OF communication of his in Richmond
paper Is totally deficient in artistic tastes and il
may be IS not even qualified to make an accurate
mechanical copy of a statue.
from his communication Judge that he
WISHES 10 sell his copy TO government. and that
he fears the criticism upon il NAV interfere with
ms speculation. We sincerely hope il NAV Re
Ilsving as we do that the original Houdon head
OF aShingtOn is the only legitimate model we
mink the fewer Hubbard WashingtOns perpetu. d
the better.
The insinuation that Mills procured the afore
SAID notice of his establishment is unfounded
As public Journalists they should comprehend
thdt IL Mills is 10 be held responsible for the
opinions Of all the members Of the press gang
who may choose TO visit his studio he is the most
lH-used artist on record. We visited him upon
our own prompting, were received courteousIy as
be seen:
The very head and front of his offending
Hath this extent; no more.n
The NEW CATHOLIC CuuRcH.-A few DAYS
since we stated that preparations were being
made Tor the commencement of a new church
upon the ground given by Mr. Ambrose Lynch
Tor that purpose in connection with the erection
OF male orphan asylum or seminary. We are
indebted to Mr.. Peter Gallant, one OF the most
experienced builders in our city. who has been
selected to Superintend the construction OF the
Dsnt s9d t fo an opportunity Of inspecting the
i 10 be OF the Ionic order; circular windows:
tTacery sash and stained glass; side tower with
belfry and clock front 20 feet dPpth I5I feet. 20
feet from the street grade TO the roof and 81 feet
from the floor to the ceiling the tower will he
about $50 feet in heighth; the interior is to be
nniShed with three affairs; one hundred and ffty
Psws divided by three asles; a gallery for colored
PERSONS, and another upper gallery for the
organ and choir. The ceiling is to be laid off in
panels Of style altogether new i'm this part Of
the country; the whole to be of the best material
and the best wOrkmen bricklavers carpenters
Pldsterers, painters. &c, to be obtained will he
employed on I. The basement will contain tbe
sunday school rooms, aud rOOms for lectures and
other purposes, all TO be finished in syIe wo-tbv
OF the church The church will front on north
taPtoi street, and the approach to the door will
be by handsome stone steps to extend along the
front IL will be commenced immediately and
the superintendent IS Of Of opinion that it will he
under roof by Christmas.
The college will front 1870 feet on north CAPITOL
street and 200 on street. to be four stories hinh
constructed on the most approved Dlan for
ventilating the class rooms. dormitorieS &c and
surrounded by handsome iron railing. The
site Is the southeast corner of and north Canitol
streets. This work will not he commenced until
the next season, as il will be necessary TO use
every exeTtion 70 complete the work contemplated
on the church before this season closes
These buildings will greatly improve that sec
ton OF the city, and will be in keeping with those
already commenced by Judge Douglas Vice
President Breckenridge, Hon. Mr. Rice and
others in that immediate vicinity
The plans were drawn by the Rev Father
Benedict Sestini. :. j., of Georgetown College
and judges have pronounced them to be as neat
and well executed specimens of the art az have
been seen in Washington
The Rev. Father Villiger, as We have before
stated, - TO be the pastor, and by his industry
and influence there is sufficient security for tbe
progress Of the work.
The BOILER MAKERS OF wksHING1oS
EAGLE Iron WORKS
WASHINGTON CITY. June 20, 1857 (
EdIfOT Of rhk Star: DEAK SIR: Your Local re-