Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-11-23
;st|istellaueons geading.
THE HOME OF THE GREAT AMERICAN
a SCULPTOR.

SOU0I 1VNs
know it will interest your readers, who
must all appreciate the "true and the besuti'
ful," to hear an account of the home where
these attributes reign supreme-the home Of
Americas well-known sculptor, Henry Kirke
Browne. ... ......-.
Sixteen years ago it was my good fortune to
know him and his gentle invalid wife, at the
time when the star Of our proud State was in
the ascendant, and Columbia the centre of
cultivated society and refined wealth. Mr..
Browne had been invited thither, commission.
ed by the State government to make group
of statuary which was to support the pedi'
ment of the new Capitol The central figure
of the group, ten in number, represented
beautiful woman, with features of the noblest
Roman type, yet with sweet innocence of
expression which softened the majesty of her
mien. Her brow was encircled by stars. and
in her right hand she bore the olive branch.
All Peace was indeed within our walls then.
But the war-cloud lowered, and Mr.. Browne
was compelled to cease the work 80 dear to
his heart. As yet only plaster-cast of this
superb figure existed, though the block Of
marble, thirteen feet in length, from which it
was to be cut, stood already in the studio,
and several chips had been taken from it.
Of one, the sculptor formed small paper
weight, and carving his initials thereon, pre-
sented it to your correspondent as souvenir.
When Sherman fred biz first shot into our
doomed city-the gun directed by his own
hand toward the glistening white pile of
the State house in the distance-that shot,
strange and solemn omen! pierced the studio
which stood near the southwest side, and
glancing against the solid wall of that splen.
did building, which is still sad monument Of
our disappointed hopes, tore off projecting
corner. The statue of peace" was shattered |!
In the present condition of our political
affairs in South Carolina We cannot, of course,
anticipate the completion of any great nation
al work; but when Reform and Hampton
shall have redeemed the PROSTATE State, per-
haps in some bright future the Northern
sculptor may return to the sunny land he
loved so we'll, and peace" will raise her star
crowned head upon the battlements of our
now ruined and desecrated capitol.
But I am wandering far away from the
little villa on the Hudson.
It had been raining for weeks during our
stay in New York, and we had begun to feel
as if probabilities" we're indeed against US,
and our long hoped-for trip up the "Rhine
of America when we awoke one morning
and found the sun shining brightly. ...
".The very day for the Hudsonp we ex-
claimed with one breath and nine o'clock
found US en- route. The steamer passed rapid.
Iy out of sight Of the great Babylon; the
noise and confusion Of the city were things
of the past, as gently-rolling hills and YER
dant valleys stole upon the sight. Presently
Weehawken came into view, where the blood
of Hamilton still calls from the ground and
further on, the bold outlines Of the Palisades
still further sing Sing attracted our attention.
but we saw no convicts! .....>.:,.. (
The wind was very brisk and chilly, and
in order to lose no point Of interest, we had
to submit to considerable discomfort. How.
ever, We cheerfully gave our garments to be
waited hither and thither, and stood firm with
auttering wells and torn plumes. and wildly
Tapping shawls and waterProofs. II seemed
| kind of virtue to bear these evils calmly,