New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1858-01-27

II
now from Florence, after familiar acquaintance with
men and art in that city, 10 filed with a broad cr,i
ctm which is not only wise and Just but po,ses.es
deguerrsoype fidelity that history will prove more
and more true.
He left Florence with some feelinps Of deora.s,p
for there air Of sunny ghtness about the city
and in the Valley of the Arno that did not quite nc
cord with the difficulties be had TO contend with and
the thrt and prosperity Of his cotenpora-e there
formed strong contrast with his own hard struggles
Bot true enthusiasm and ambition kent him cheer.
full lie had never tagged; he would not now; and
when he arrived at Rome he found letter from Sum-
ner containing the order for the Orpheus in marble
TO BE- placed in the Boston Athenaun and draft for
the money There came with II, too, the assurance
that ar interest Cor his work growing up at home
and earnest words OF friendship, which broke about
him Ike sunshine. The Orpheus was shipped and ar
rived at its destination. The mail from ,ston
10 Rome brought several orders TO execute original
works. Orders also flowed in from other sources.
He had struck the tide of success and the struggle
for bread was over. He now had 10 do with though
and invention only; the means were afforded, and
noble aud grand works were 70 be achieved His
lame spread; distinguished travellers sought him out
and he grew more and more in favor. Other commits
sions came in-no, however, large enough to satisfy
his ambition, but sufficiently 10 prove that he was
appreciated, and that the first ordeal was passed.
He had large studios fitted up in the Piazza Bar,
bGrn with sufficient accommodations tor his increased
requirements. The sudden prosperity which on every
size surrounded him stimulated his energies, and
while he enjoyed these new conditions, he Knew tnat
true fame only TO be secured through unremtted
toll Under lost convictions in this respect, he never
for moment lost sight of his proper position, ana
society with all its brilliant aurements could never
seduce him from his art. In 1913 his studios were
already crowded with original works, and had become
one OF the ceners of attraction TO strangers visiting
the studios of Rome.
Through every adversely and temptation, his honor,
bis integrity had passed without faint His character
had retained the simple innocence Of childhood, and
was as pure az il was manly He had produced an
ideal head Of Vesa, which, a. a work OF art, became
the object of interest that Winter in Rome. The
Orpheus, an expression of heroic manhood inspired
by genius had secured TO him noble and permanent
friendships In the Vesta there lovely innO-
cence and beauty which became Instrumental in
curing to the artist the happest and most exquisite
domestic relations, and which should be immortal
in the romance of affection as the famed statue of
Pigmalion.
In 1914 he came to this country and was married to
Miss Louisa Ward, daughter of the late Samuel Ward
of this city, and returned to Rome in the of the
same year. carrying with him commissions for some
important works. Before he reached Italy he heard
of the death Of Thorwaldsen, between whom and HIM
self there had existed most genuine friendship. For
although he remained but short time in ThOrwald-
sens studio he visited it frequently, and there con-
tinued between them an intimacy and confidence
which on the part of the Dane feeling that in
Crawford he would leave worthy successor, while
the American revered his great genius and loved hun
as his master and friend
From this time forward Crawfords genius began to
int nsify, and he worked even with more zeal than
ever, and with still higher aims OF excellence and more
perfect success while his fame spreading through
out Europe and America. la 1919 he came to the
United States and while on visit to some relatives at
Bordentown, New-Jersey, he read In a newspaper
that the City of Richmond had Appropriated specific
sum of money to erect a monument to Washington;
that they had invited cOmpettOrs without distinction
and that the designs to be submitted at certain
date. The subject had been Il favorite one with
Crawford He had made several designs OF 1t, the
first eleven years before in those days of gloomy
struggle in the OrtO d Napoi." But his Judgment,
taste, artistic power and fortune were all changed
The old designs appropriate besides they
in Rome He left Bordentown Immediately for Bos
ton, and to the astonishmeDt OF artist. and laymen
in few DAYS he had his model completed and for
warded to Richmond There were many competitors,
but the superiority of his design over all the others
presented was go apparent that the Committee de-
cided in his favor without hesitation lie also received
come orders from the United States Government which
were afterward considerably augmented. He returned
to Rome in the following year. 1850, and this magni-
cent work, requiring years tor ITS completion, was
begun. lie also modelled statue OF Beethoven to be
papedtn the new Musical Hall in Boston, which, with
the statues for the Washington monument, were TO be
east in bronze ct Munich.
As these works were completed, his studios were
crowded by visitors; and when was announced that
the colossal equestrian statue OF Washington was
ready for exhibition for days the Piazza Negroni was
thronged with royal aud civic equipages. The royal
lists of Europe republicans from all countries, Swans
connosseurs, wealth, beauty and fashion, even the
common people of Rome, mingled with the vast con-
course and paid their homage TO the genius of the
American Sculptor. His growing fame was astonlsh-
ing built up as it was, not with decayng ana mere
tricOus elements, but with stern industry and an IN,
swerying artistic conscience His friends, too, could
now look back to those days of grim poverty with
the consolation that his own rigid adherence TO every
thing that gallant and upright had developed his
power and placed him in the first rank OF his pro-
tessiOn.
In the early part of 1855 the Beethoven was cast in
bronze in Munich, and, when completed, so grand and
noble was its character that it filled the imagnaons
Al. L. uyth
the great composer that nothing but public festival
would satisfy them. The artists permission had been
obtained to place it in the concert hail. but the gen
era musical director, Lachner, would not allow the
statue 10 be placed i'll an ordinary hall, but appointed
an especial concert for the 10Th Of March, lS5o-the
anniversary of the great masters death-saying,
"That day shall be marked by fete of art"
pedestal of six feet in hight was prepared, having
background of dark green velvet, supported Dy gt'
colunns and the statue was placed upon It, IN the
midst of forest of flowers and Expresses aud lit by
more than hundred gas lights. The concert nall was
filed to overhowing. King Maxlmillan anu the
Queen attended in full state; and now began the exc
cution of Beethoven best compositions by more than
three hundred musicians and singers male and female
Madame Daubach, the fret actress recited prologue
in verse; written by NJ Dpgestedt the director OF the
theater The splendor of the ete surpassed anything
ever given in Munich. The King remarked TO a
gentleman present, II only regret that this master
" piece of art should not remain in Munich. When
the statue placed in the Hall in Boston, another
festival was given, at which Mr.. W. W. story, MN
self sculptor and musician, read an original poeh
eulogizing the success with which the artist had rem
dered the great characteristics of the great composer
Crawford's name had now become familiar IN Mu-
nich and when the Washington was cast, the
verdict upon its merits unanimous he was made
an honorary member of the ROYAL Academies of Mu-
nich and St. Petersburg and during the year the
Academy Of st. Mark at Florence conferred upon
him the same distinction. In such esteem was the
Washington" held by the workmen in the foundry,
an 30 entirely had the artist their regard, that
when il left Munich they would not allow the ordinary
laborers TO touch the in which it was packed or