Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-03-16
7s7. WASHINGTON. c., SATURDAY, MARCH 16 1873.
ART NOTES.


pedestal Tor eThomaS statue soon to be placed
in the M street circle, and from the quantity
OF granite still on the ground unused, there is
reason to fear that that work, like most of the
others OF the same kind recently put up in the
city, is going to be placed at SO great an eleva-
ton as to prevent satisfactory view of the
group when once in place. The opinion is
quite largely held among people of taste that
the belly OF horse is not the most interesting
or beautiful part OF that noble animal: yet that
is the portion of his anatomy to which the
vision 'Of an observer standing at proper
point of view is practically limited by the great
height at which many otherwise fine eQues-
trian statues are placed. 1t will be greatly re-
gretted if this common mistake should be com
mitted in placing this group, which, we are
have seen it, is an uncOmmOnly creditable and
artistic piece of sculpture.
In response to an inquiry in THE STAR
few days ago, as to the authenticity of the full
length portrait of Washington in the Red Room
of the White House said to be by Stuart, the
editor of the Philadelphia Item says he was
told by Neage, the artist, of that city, that the
picture in question was cut from its frame by
Mrs; Madison when the British were marching
on Washington to prevent it from falling into
their hands, and that it is an undOubted orr
ginal by Stuart. and was regarded as superior.
We may add that Mr.. Neage'S statement as to
borne out by an inspection of the painting
AS framed at present the canvas is manifeStly
smaller than an artist would have chosen for
figure of that size.
james Hamilton, the distinguished marine
painter, of Philadelphia, died in San Francisco
last Sunday night. Mr.. Hamilton was un-
doubtedly possessed of decided genius in that
branch of art, but like all men endowed with
that subtle quality. he was negligent at times,
and his works showed great unevennesS in
point of artistic merit. Nevertheless, he must
take rank with the best marine painters our
country has yet produced. A number of his
pictures are owned in this city.
The Society of American Artists have de-
cded to open their annual exhibition rooms
free to the public on Sunday afternoons. This
step is a wide departure from the rule of the
more conservative Academy of Design, and
one which will probably shock the SenSbiliteS
of not a few staid New Workers, but it will GER
talnly draw the great heart of the people
closer to the new organization, which aims to
be the exponent in this country of liberal and
progressive art.
Mr.. Browns portrait of the President, to
which we have heretofore made reference, has
been taken to the executive mansion. where it
is greatly admired, not only by that portion of
the public who have had opportunity to see il
there, but by all the occupants of the white
house. Mrs Hayes, it is said, is particularly
placed in the 'Corcoran Gallery, where the pub
lie, will be able to see it, for short time,
at least
STRIKING OIL.-AIadrid possesses man of
genius, in the person Of a domiciled French
man, who is engaged largely in the petroleum
trade. Now, petroleum, being an absolute
necessary OF life to the Spanish people is a pei
object of taxation, not only paying an eXOrbi-
tant duly Oil entrance into Spain, but about
as much again as a direct charge on entering
the cities or towns where it is consumed The
man OF genius grappled with the problem of
the municipal tax, and overcame it sue
cessfully, for a time. He established
his StOrehOuSeS in the suburbs of Madrid, and
then. hiring all the leanest women to be found,
made good their pectoral deficiencies with tin
cases filed with petroleum. The seeming
milky mothers passed without question into
the unsupported city and supplied thousands
OF households with cheap enlightenment. The
rockets OF the man of genius swelled mean
While in exact proportion to the Quaker
breastWOrks OF his improvised wet nurses
Cne fatal day he sent in a damsel whose con.
tour aroused in u;:e OF the guardians of the
gates emotions of a tender sort. With the
playful gailantry OF a superior he tapped the
object OF his admiration and it tinkled. He
had struck oil unaWareS. Love shook his
wings and fled: duty entered frowning, and
the perambulatlng wells of the man of genius
Snl1pDlV IrV