Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1859-02-15
THE INTELLIGENCER.

TIE following piece of description and crit.
cism ofPower's new statue of Webster, occurs
in the Boston correspondence of the Century,
McElrath's new paper. 1t may be more just
than flattering:
As was passing by the Atheneum last Sat
urday afternoon, bethought me to step in and
see the new bronze statue of Daniel Webster,
by Powers. They were just raising it to its
temporary place by means of tackle. As the
huge black figure was pulled up from the floor,
with a workman's coat tied round the head, and
one sleeve sticking out like cue behind, the
express image of the statesman was decidedly
more grotesque than ''godlikc." When "the
cloth was removed" faint cheer attested the
recognition of the bystanders. The statue is
eight feet high, and represents "The Defender
of the Constitution" as clad in dress coat, but
toned up, with his left hand resting upon n
bundle Ofrods 1--WE should say bannistcr-sticks,
for they are perfectly round and straightO and
his right hand holding a scroll, pointing to the
bundle. The attitude is certainly easy and Spi
rited. The likeness is as certainly disaPpOint-
ing. For laying aside any critical examination
of the fca lures, there is an undue lengthineSs
to the whole thing. The head is too long, and
the body is too ong-as if the statue when in
viscid state had been stretched. This, ofcOurse
detracts from that massiveneSs which was Mr..
Websters bodily distinction, although his was
feet and ten inches high. How much did he
weigh? An aged gentleman who was an init
mate friend Of Mr.. Webster, once assured me
that in order to test the accuracy of his own
opinion against that of many others, he asked
him what his average weight was in the prime
of manhood, and Mr.. Webster answered lone
hundred and forty pounds" This is 50 contra
ry to the general impression, that should not
dare 10 record the statement ii my recollection
was not very distinct and my confidence in my
venerable friend unlimited. Now tmay be that
Powers has preserved the tape.line proportions
of Mr.. Webster's figure perfectly, but that in
the dark and uniform color Of the statue, that
sense OF breadth and massive grandeur which
was derived from the more distinct lines of his
face and shoulders almost wholly disappears
1t is possible, however, that when the statue is
permanently placed in the open air, it will not
cut slim figure.
From the same source VIC derive this infor-
nation in regard 10 the continuation OF Pres
colts unfinished work, PhlipII:
Considerable interest has be- expressed with
regard to the continuation OF PreScotts Phlhp
II. a gentleman who was well acquainted with
Mr.. Prescott, assures me that his mode OF WIZ
ting vas such as to render the continuation ny
his amanuensis, or any other person, well nigh
impossible. After general study of his sub
iect, he was accustomed to gather together ali
the works bearing upon the chapter he proposed
to write, examine them carefully make but few
notes. and then, with the mass of material fresh
in his vivid memory, dictate to his alnanuensis.
Thus he accumulated hut little tangible matter
in advance Of his actual work. On the other
hand learn that the publishers of Mr.. Pres
colts works, having confidence in the ability OF
his amanuenSs, and in his long acquaintance
with the historians stores and methods would
be willing to intrust the finishing of Philip II
to his hands 1t is not known, however, wheth-
er that gentleman is disposed to hazard the un-
dcrtaking.