The New Bloomfield, Pa. times. (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1877-188?, 1877-12-25
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, ID. o., Dec. 10, 1877.
find myself hestating to begin an ar
ticle on the institution of which we are
justly proud, and in the possession of which
we deem ourselves so happy, because l
know my space will bid me stop before l
have fairly begun writing, and my descrip-
tions must of necessity be so very short.
The building of brick with Bellevlle
freestone trimmings, and slated Mansard
roof, cost 100000 and was presented to
the National Government with fine necleus
of contents by w. w. Corcoran, a wealthy
retired banker who has, besides this dona-
tion, done much for the Capital City in be-
nevolent directions The entire building is
admirably fitted up for the purpose it
serves, and, having said that much, it is
needless for me to enter into details con-
cerning various galleries, skylghts and
other arrangements.
Perhaps the most notable work of art in
the gallery Il might say in the whole coun-
try) is the world renowned Greek Slave, by
Hiram Powers, the original statue from
which Powers afterwards copied five others.
The figure is that of a maiden, standing erect
and perfectly nude, her delicate wrist bound
together by chains 1t stands in the centre
of an octagonal room built expressly for it.,
the walls of which are hung with maroon
drapery and which is lighted from the top.
The perfect form, grace and purity of ex-
preston in this marvellous work cannot
be described. 1t was designed, from the
following facts, according to the account
of Powers himself: During the Greek
revolution, the Turks took many prisoners,
among them beautiful girls who were sold
in the slave markets of Turkey, Egypt.
These were Christian women aud it is not
difficult to imagine the distress and even
despair of the sufferers while exposed to be
sold to the highest bidder. But as there
should be a model in every kind of art, l
have given to the expression of the Greek
Slave that trust there should still be in
divine Providence, in future state of ex-
istence with that despair for the present,
mingled with somewhat of seorn for all
around her. She is too deeply concerned
to be aware of her nakedness. 1t is not
her person but her spirit that stands ex-
posed"
In the hall of antique sculpture, Venus
of Milo must be mentioned first This,
like the other pieces in this gallery, is a
plaster cast of the original statue. Beau
tiful of face, perfect of figure, destitute of
arms, this Venus is known as the "Pride
of Pars,i and is the admiration of the
world Venus di Medicis; Anande De-
serted Last days of Napoleon; The
Dying Gladiator; Group of the Lascoon (;
Busts of Nero; Ajax; Aristiees, Socrates,
Homer and Jupiter and acres of other
casts are here and may be studied with
both profit and pleasure for days. The
majority of visitors, however, better enjoy
the modern statuary of Powers, Rinehart
and others. Penseraso; The yelled Nun;
Praserpene and other ideal figures of great
beauty and suggestion are seen but after
the Greek Slave, those attracting greatest
attention are ''Forced Prayer" which rep
resents tiny boy, with folded hands, the
under lip protruding in suppressed grief
and the bright tears overfowing the full
eyes and "The First step" child and
chicken taking their first start in life to-
gether. The tightly pressed down toes