Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-04-06


ing up from Don Pistt, IN one of his late letters
10 the CIn SIM au COmmeTeial. Like most tault.
fading epistles. and like all I'D. P.'s- efforts
II Is spicy reaiing. He is, however, a little
wide OF the facts on one OF two points, and the
value OF his criticism is impaired sonnet what by
the fact that II runs In the old ruis. He con-
yeys the idea for instance, that IN pa.rOniz.ng
mediocre talent. the Government has over
looked "such world rem owned artists as Powers
and Rogsrsi" whereas the latter has given us
;he magnificent bronx doors in the corridor
leading iron the roiunds 10 the House wing
Of the Capitol, while the former haJ coCtribut-
ed statnes in marble of Franklin aud jefferson
albert they are confessedy inferior 10 their
cOmpanions-Hancock and ri ami ltOn-by Hpr.
atio Stone, comparatively unknown scuIp-
tor. Likewise. h improperly transfers Wash
ington's small clothes from toe Patent Oaica
TO the Smithsonian Institution,-I pla e ex-
clusively sacred to Professor Henry aud his
ometers, osophies and Oloyies, their heirs and
associates. forever. But these are minor mat
te's, and they may very properly be pardoued
When a warrior Is on the war path he can't be-
expected 70 b. looking after little things And
on the war path I'D. p" qssuredly is-red
paint, fearhers, scalpipg knife, and all.
HIS first point of attack is the equestrian
statue Of Washington, in the circle near George
II
a stallion bestrode by a symbolical figure as
devoid of character as a town pump" Or
course the perpetrator of such a combination
could be nothing less than "a iend in human
shape" and that Mr.. Clark Mills is according
ly pronounces.
But the Washington pale in infamy before
the Jackson, VINO, in front Of the WhRe House,
ais held up in everlasting brass TO the Laughter
and rIdcuIe OF humanity" And "a. j." is
lost in turn in thu fearful Nervousness - he
proposed monument TO Lincoln, a mo-. Of
which was thoughtlessly shown TO Mr.. r.att
He says il il of ''such things as come in "a. e.
dinner dreams, when plum-pudiings and
mince-pies deaden the stomach and stimulate
the brain, until horriole things take shap- and
sorely Cypress the sleeper. A three-o ornered,
pyramidal structure towers up, made OF sl!Id
granite, and fairly plastered over with figures"
And SO on for quantity.
The long suffering Washington monument
also comes in for a side wipe; bat never a word
for the old Roman raI-ing his finger OF warn
ing east of the Capitol. Nor for Columbus IN
his celebrated ten Fin act. Nor yet for the as
TOMS hing grOuP which balances it Cd the man
IOrtIoo- WY Is this thus Ala~! We fear
that. Ike the profan- ASA cart man. "Don~
isn't able IL 30 tae subject justice. But lac
ought - say 50, aud not shIrk in this way.
tHless he was too anxious TO get at the paint
Ines in the rotunds. which fare LILLE If any
better than he sra-uary. He finds nothing 10
admire ii Trumbull's pictures, and sees no I'M
prOyement in any OF the later efforts. save ana
except WeIr's .Embarhation of the Pilgrims
which he cCniess-s tells it, story with charm
ing effect" He sees something 70 crIticlse
al-o, IN the Landing Of Columbus" ana the
Baptism Of Pocanontas," but he soto Dis
covering the Mississippi Is beyond criticism
1t only eXc!tes the combstive in human nature,
and its ..cOlOrrng, grouping and drawing make
one feel for penknife and look about for
stones
The only remedy for n e state of things of
which he complains is TO be found, Mr. T.
thinks, in Commission, made up of gentl-Tnea
CT taste, 70 serve without compensation, whose
consent shall be necessary before a work OF art
can be accepted; and ne names Mr.. Joseph
Longworth, OF Cincinnati. MIR. Argus, B-I-
mont, OF New York, and Charles Frances
Adams a. combination likely 10 save Us both
money ana reputation III this way.
Possibly, but we doubt il. Some OF these
gentlemen are much more conspicuous Tor
wealth than Tor knowledge OF art; and, If w
mistake OF. at least one OF the thre. stocks his
OWE gallery largely on the iudgmsn, and taste
Of other people. Besides. art is a mater upen
which every BODY has his own opinions anG
each one fancies his own taste and theories th-
best,-so that IL Is practically impossible 10
please all, no matter by whom work nav be
executed or selected. A private citizen ouyiag
for his own gallery cOnsGIts only has own
taste. and those who differ WI b him NAV do SO
IN welcome, but thew have no right to-aud
generally do nOt-growl al the selection on the
streets or IN newspapers; but in a work of art
procured for the public every one feels a pro-
Prietary interest, and he Will have Ibis saw
about IL, no matter what lis merits nav b.
The same diff, uly has existed from time
immemOrIal. and the unplea 5ant experiences of
this country on the SUBJECT is that of every
government on the face OF the earth which
undertakes TO adOrn its public buildings and
grounds with paintings and stItuary
The only course government or commits
sion can pursue in this matter with any safa.y
Is 70 commission artists Of reputation and hon.
.s'y. and accept what they furnish, trusting
10 luck that Erst-cli>s works will be secured
at least occasionally. This will encourage
art and improve publ, taste, even If the crit
lcs are not satisfied in every case, as they
probably never Will be Once satisfy them,
and their occupation is gone, dom, you see,