Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-05-18
must be bestowed. in order 10 bring them to


from the photographs II will be seen that We
have fully appreciated their exquisite beauty
and splendid artistic effect:
Letter from Tsomc.
10 tie Editors Of the Enguircr:
RoME, February 81, 1860
Gcntlcmen-Fitccn years ago stood upon
the banks Of the Tibcr. Since then, what
mighty events lave transpircd in the worlds
: history! At that time Gregory XVI was
Pontlt, and Louis Napoleon was wandcrrr
and m exile. As ! stood in the garden oil
the Tuillcries, ! SAW LoulS Philippe in the
balcony Of the palace, surrounded hy his
family, and holding the Count dc Paris upon
his knee-thc heir 10 his throne. He had
consummated that Spanish marriage by which
he thought to secure the permanent prosperity
Of his dynasty, and link their destinies with
the worlds future. Now they have been hurl-
ed from the thronc-thc exile and the wan
derer has returned, ard his name become n
magic spell throughout the world Gregory
NVI has passed THAT bourne whence no ira
velcr returns and his place been filled by
Plus N, whose reign began with Il popularity
which almost amounted TO dolatry. He now
has to Lc maintained un Ills throne by French
bayonet&
Amidst these changes the "ctcrnal city" has
altered but little in external appearance. Here
stand its ruins which have witnessed so many
generations pass away-ilS churches adorned
with all the splendor which the wealth Of the
world could furnish, AMI It's museums OF art
which are still lis wondcr. Indeed, all its as
SocintionS. appear TO be surrounded by an at
mosphcrc of art II is the spot where the
young artist dreams all his visions may be re-
allied. How oflc,I, alas 10 they end in dis
| appointment, for motive powers enter largely
into excellence IN Tie fine arts, and medincrity
is not tolerated Among modern artists, an
proud 10 say, our own countrymcn maintain Il
fair reputation it has been one OF my
greatest pleasures, during my winter residence
TO ramblc through their studios. Among
painters wa have Chapman of Virginia. man
Of decided talents, who cXccS in drawing, and
is the author Of q good work on the subject
He painted the baptism Of Pocahontas in the
capitol at Washington, and the Four Seasons
for Mr.. Robert Boiling Of Petersburg, Va. In
his studio he has the carrying OF the Sick Girl
10 tic Shrine Of Madonna-wherc the bloom
Of health ard the angoro of disease are admira-
bly, contraSted; and the Return from the Vim
|
foliage and the animals arc very fine indeed
Among sculptors We have Z very talented
young lady, Miss EIosmer,D who has produced
several works Of great merit, and, should life
and health be continued to her. will obtain 4
| high reputation. Her Puck and Will o the
Wisp arc very much and dcscrvedly admired
The Prince Of Wales, while on 4 visit here,
took such fancy to the former that nc ordered
n COPY of it for himself.
| The studio Of Crawford is still kept open, and
his designs are being cxecntcd by workmen,
under the superintendent Of Mrs Crawford.
There saw his beautiful Peri and his fine In
dian for the irieze Of the Capitol at Washing
ton lie sits with his head reclining on his
hand, lamcntng the downfall and melting away
Of his race before the march Of civilization and
the advancing tide Of the white man. 1t ind-
Gates rs much poetic feeling and rs high crca-
| tive powers as any work Of art have Secn.--
1t was with melancholy interest that look
cl upon ile model Of his great work for Nir-
ginia, OH which he was engaged when he was
cut down in tho midst Of his career ere he had
completed it, just as lie had overcome the trials
| Of life and reached Tie SUNNI; Of fame This
monument will ever stand IN enduring memo
rial of his genius 1t was rs noble an oppor-
tunity as ever was enjoyed by any sculptor,
and his success was equal To the grandeur Of his
theme. Mr. Rogers, who has already acquired
celebrity for his Indian groups, his Blind
Girl of Pompeii," and his designs Of the
bronze doors for the Capitol at Wash
ington, is modelling some alcgorical figures,
which have been adopted as substitute for the
eagles on the pc,lcstas; in Mr. Crawford's plan
for the monument. Ii is true the eagle is the
national bird, but it is too common and has
been overdonc. The proposition to substitute
bas.rcef Illustrating the events Of the lives of
each person before whom they were placed, is
Objectionable, because it would be making the
subordinate pcrsonagcs oil more Importance
than the principal. 1t is, indeed, difficult to
make allegorical figures so p!an that their
meaning may be readily comprchcndcd. In this
case, however the difficulty can be overcome
rs he will he aided by the statues themselves,
each illustrating und calculating the other. Thus
before the statue of Patrick Henry he proposes
to place female figure, representing NeVolu-
ton. with crown at her feet, a libcrty-cap
upon her head, and sword in her hand; be-
hind her, are the trophies Of war, cannon, llaggs
balls, tomahawks, drums, &c. This bundle OF
trophies is nearly the same in all the designs
while the figures are altered. Before Jefferson
| he would place one representing the Dcclara-
ton Of independence. Marshall, Justice. This
will be easily represented Mason, the Bill OF
| Rights Here the female figure would hold IN
her hand a scroll, on which is written "Blll oil
! Rights" Nelson Finance. with bags OF mo-
| nev lie who exhausted his own means to re-
plcnislI the empty treasury Of his country in
| the hour Of her drrs, -, surely deserves 10
| have place on the rnu,Iiclt Of her great men,
Lrwis-Thc Colonial Campaigns.-ln this
studio is the model Of the statue to Gen. Lewis,
which is very much admired. There he stands,
the Apollo OF tho Revolution, with his hand
some, manly face, open countcnancc and de-
tcrmined character looking every inch man.
lie is represented in true Western style wear
ing tho hunting shirt as 4 uniform, which was
invented BY Gen. Washington himself, anu Is
well adapted to the purposes oil art LIS 1alr
is thrown back in y careless manner; III one
hand he holds his cap, in The other his rifle !;
bv his side hangs his pnrch and powdcr-horn,
while he is eagerly watching, expecting an at
tack from the Indians. The Lout ensemble has
a very pleasing elect, anu vii! form variety
in the group Of statues, which will be agreca-
bic 10 the eye while truly representing those
frontier men who were indeed the heroes OF
the Revolution.
Mr.. Roscr; has an advantage in forming the
accessories 10 this statue, rs nc has resided IN
the est, and thus become familiar with LASH
ionins powder horns and rifle stocks.
think Virginia has been fortunate III select
! ing him to complete Il work begun by the Ia.
mcntcd Crawford and that these figures Will
add to his already deservedly high reputation.
Yours truly. J.. W. Il.
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