The Portland daily press., 1868-05-18
Miscellany.

Harriet IHOsnicr and Charlotte Cushnan.
A correspondent of the Chicagoan writes
from Rome:
Miss Hosmer's studio is the prettiest in
Rome. The little entrance count, with its
beautiful flowers and singing canaries, is q
delightful change from the hot, dusty streets.
When we went in it was her reception day,
and she was showing TO some strangers the
fountain in the centre OF the first room. In
the middle of the basin syren sits singing.
Below, in the basin, three charming little tel-
lows are bestridng dolphins, lying on the
broad leaves OF aquatic plants They are
fascinated by the music, and one has his dim
pied hand at his ear. listening mtently while
the water spouts from the shells above. Miss
Hosmer has peculiar mode of tinting the
the marble. l think she must have caught
the better part oil Gibs0n's idea, for she docs
not give it flesh color, but a light creamy
tint, which adds greatly to the expression OF
the statue, and seems like the true color OF
old marble. She spoke of this, and said,
pointing to the fountain, "all those babies
have got to be washed before they go away"
Miss Hosmsr has very vivacious manner, a
little abrupt and very decided, and when she
speaks in clear, ringing tones, in moments
when you or she have Just said something
that pleases her, her expression and manner
are exceedingly charming, and her laugh,
which came often while we were there, is one
of the most musical have heard. She wore
little velvet cap, which reminded me of Ra-
phael's.
sin the same room with the fountain is a
fine copy of her Puck She has mate for
him in her later Will o'the-wisp,' or at least
comrade, but the latter is not quite so be-
witching. But the glory of her room is fine
head of 'Medusa'. L have always thought
that to fulfil the true idea of the old myt tn
'Medusa should be wonderfully beautiful, but
l never saw one so before. This is the head
of lovely girl; her rich hair kept back by
tillet from the noble forehead seems at first to
recede in waves; when you see that these
waves terminate in serpents, it strikes you
with no feeling of repulsion. The face whose
eyes look upward, is full of glorious sadness,
to which the serpents add an idea of mystery
and gloom, which makes the beauty more
fascinating and thrilling; and the folded
wings which come down over the hair on
each side OF the face gave an air OF majesty to
the head which enhances the effect. 1t was
hard for me to look away from this statue; if
long gazing would have turned one to stone
the old tradition would have been fulfilled.
In the neighboring room was a full length,
and several busts, of the stately 'Zenobia",
whom you doubtless saw in Chicago few
weeks ago.
Miss Hosmer asked us into her inner room
where she herself works. Just beyond the
entrance stands the work on which she is now
engaged-"The Waking Faun." 1t is the
sequel to the lovely Sleeping Faun," which
was exhibited at Paris. 1.-The Waking Faun'
is yet only clay, and is daily undergoing The
monlding of the sculptors hand. l was
glad to see it in this form, as it shows
one how entirely the whole expression
OF the statue is due to the sculptor himself.
and how mechanical is the work which the
chlsel after wards performs. Miss Hosmer
played upon it with a hose as we went in,
saying, 81 think sprlnkling improves his ex-
preston" Here the waking Faun" has
caught the offender in the act, and with one
hand grasping the little mischief by the hair,
is bending back his head and looking into his
lace, with countenance into whose sweet
ness and good humor he tries in-vain to in
troduce look of sternness. You see he
takes it coolly," said Miss Hosmer. "Fauns
don't get angry you know. should be
ashamed to tell you how long l have been on
that statue, but-no, | shouldn't. Mr.. Glib
son used to say, when l was in his studio,
and working so long on that Medusa'-'NC-
body asks you how long you have been on a
thing but fools, and you don't care what they
think"
"Miss Cushman, whose beautiful house
opens wide its hospitable doors to her coun-
trymen here, is very like her friend, Miss
Hosmer, in manner Miss Cushman's Satur-
day receptions seem TO assemble the pleas
ATTEST elements of artistic and social life in
Rome She herself is host in entertaining
her guests; her singing is something peculiar
and characteristic; it is intensely dramatic
and impresses one powerfully. Her singing
OF Kingsley's MARY, go and call the cattle
home, is something | shall never forget. One
holds his breath and sbivers, as she brings
Off Afbn prual Glan--fhn lin