Evening star., 1869-11-03

ME-. EDITOR: am not an artist-in fact. INV
artistic education, like that of a great majority
Of the people, has been sadly neglected, as /
shall prove to you by this communication; but
have somewhere picked up the notion (possibly
an erroneous one) that one of the chief func-
tions of ''high art" one which mainly justifies
Its national culture, Is the presenting before the
people of images of beauty and nobieness such
a tend to refine, elevate. and ennOble those who
look upon them. Hence mOnstrosities. unnat-
ural conceptions, and revolving images, should
have no place in the creations Of ''high art
With these notions in mind have been studying
the figures which ornament (?) the base of the
beautiful fountain in front of the north entrance
to the Treasury building. These figures appear
countenances expressive Of agony and disgust,
vomiting from open mouths streams of dirty
fluid into the basins below. The leading sugges-
ton, think, that forces itself upon the mind of
the average behOlder, especially since the late
storms, Is that these frightful monsters have
sickened of too much "POtOmac broth" and
are making agonizing but fruitless efforts to rid
their stomachs of the foul beverage! Doubtless
every one who has attempted to drink hydrant
water for the past two or three weeks sympa-
thises with, yea, has "bOwels of compassion"
for, these distressed creatures.
Now, the spewing of sick lion, or griffin,
twhicheyer may be intended,) may be q very
natural act, but Is ii such '.fact in nature" as
should be seized upon and transfxed by the
genius Of an artist i'm imperishable granite, for
the gaze Of successive generations of children
and men?
These vomiting monsters appear to have been
an after-thought Of the artist, as they were
added, if mistake not, subsequently to the
erection of the fountain. Doubtless some good
artistic reason existed, at least in his mind for
are supposed to know everything. about this as
well as other matters, will you please expOund
1t to the comprehension Of your unartistic
readers? Or will you invite the able and accom-
plished architect of the Treasury to give his
views upon the subject?
ONE OF THE PEOPLE.
CONSIDERED from a purely esthetic point of
view, our correspondents exceptions are well
taken; as we presume no one would undertake
to defend the figures he speaks of as creations of
beauty, or as adapted in the most pleasing sense
to the purpose for which they are used. But
this style of OrnamentatiOn, which had its origin
i'm an age that gave us some Of the finest forms
of architecture-and of which, indeed, il forms
an important part-seems to be sanctioned by
general use, both in this country and in Europe;
and on this ground, We presume, the architect
of the building can defend it. He is abundantly
able, however, to speak for himself, and we
shall take pleasure in giving place to anything
he may desire to say on the subject. But, is not
our correspondent stretching point little by
the implied consideration of fountain basin as
work of "high art?" To our mind that term
has broader and much more comprehensive
meaning.]
EDITOR EVENING STAR:-I wish to ask a
space in your journal to call the attention of the
proper authorities to the reckless and dangerous
habit the w. and A. X. X. have of running
their cars over Maryland avenue. 1t being
down grade from their depot to the Capitol
grounds, it is a daily occurrence for that r. r.
Co., or its agents, to send a car whirlng down
that grade, across the crowded thorOughfares of
9TH and ~ streets, without signal or warning
of its coming, placing in jeopardy the lives Of
pedestrians. III = "A m Is i'm oh off
brake, but he seems to be trying the speed of the
car, and regardless of human life. have seen
what came very near being chronicled, through
that useful channel Of knowledge, the press, "a
fatal railroad accident" when, in such an event,
the whole responsibility should rest where it
properly belonged. trust, Mr.. Editor, this
freedom OF the right of way, at such velocity of
speed, may be checked, or dsallOwed alto
gether. L have borne this evil so long until
forbearance ceased to be virtue, that 1 now
cry out against it, Yours PRorEsr.