New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-01-08

tiOnal buildings-decorate them also, II you WILL
Trumbull says that this was wise and klnd ADVICE
and expresses regret that he did not follow H. lie
went on painting by day at Vests house, ana III
the evening drawing at the Academy, where he
freouently sat by the side of young Lawrence (af-
terward Sir ThOmas). OF this distinguished ar'ls'
he savsi His manner at the Academy was TO
finish deliberately such parts of the model before
him rs suited his taste of course. he rarely had
time to work up the other parts OF ms
figure with equal care and the whoIe
was not unfrequenty out of drawing Inc cohse-
Quence Of this bad habit of study may often De
traced in his paintings" When ITumbull mao
painted certain portrait he had the vanity to take
it to show to Sir Joshua REYNOLDS, who the moment
he saw it, said in a quick. sharp tone That coat
is bad SIT very bad; II Is not cloth-t Is TIN, OeHt
TIM Trumbull Stammered ont the best apology
which he could and taking up his poor picture
bowed and withdrew, being cautious after that
never to show his works to Sir Joshua Reynolds
Colonel Trumbull now began the subjects of
national history of events of the Revolution, which
were afterward the great objects of his professional
life. He painted in Mir Vests room; and when the
Bunker's Hill was well forward, West asked him to
dine to meet several artists He received his friends
in the painting-room where, by his direction. ITum-
bulls picture was placed in favorable hight. Sir
Joshua was there, and upon entering the room ran
up to 1t saying: why West, what have you here
This is better Colored than your works are gener-
ally" SIR Joshua, you mistake" was the reply;
that is not mine-it is the work of this young
tleman, MIR. Trumbul: permit me 10 Introduce him
to you" Sir Joshua" adds TrumbuI was at
least as much disconnected as l had been by
the bent ha--the account between us was
fairly balanced" BY advice of West.
Colonel Trumbull determined to engrave
his pictures After short tour upon the Continent
he returned to London where he resumed his labOrS
on American subjects. He gives an interesting
auecdote of the composition of The Declaration OF
IndepcndenCe" as follows " In the course OF the
summer of 1897. Mr. Adams took leave of the
Court of st. James, and preparatory to the VOYAGE
to America had the powder coIn6ed out OF his halr
Its color and natural curl were beautiful ana TOOK
that opportunity to paint his portrait in the small
DECLARATION of Independence At this time he also
painted The Sortie from Gibraltar" or TINS he
made several repetitions, Of which was sold TO
Sir T. Blring for five hundred guneas. OF the pic
ture which is now in possession of the Boston
Atheuaum, Horace WalpOle said that "he regarded
it as the finest he had ever seen, painted on the
northern side of the Alps"
In Paris about this time, he had an interview
with Lafayette. who very dcsiious that
General Washington, then President, should be ac-
curatey informed of the state and prospects oil the
affairs of France. He said that the object winch
was aimed at by the Duke de la RocheioucauIt NJ.
Condorcet and himself, with some others
was TO Obtain for France a Constitution
nearly resembling that OF England, winch
they all REGARDED as the most perfect model of
government known. While they wished to
diminish very essentially the power of the King
they desired to retain the throne i'll great majesty
as he first branch of the legislative power. but
taking away the right OF creating peers. Ihey
sought substantially British Parliament
LAFAYETTE spoke severely of the Duke of Orleans
whose hatred of the royal family he said "conid be
satiatcd only by their ruin; while his ambition
probably led him to aspire to the throne Ills
money had brought up from the south of France
many assassins and desperadoes familiar with
murder robbery and every atrocous crime His
money also would influence elections and fill the ap
preaching Assembly with ardent inexperienced, des-
perate and vicious young men," II seems certain that
LAFAYETTE foreSaw with prOphcicc eye the sangunary
excuses which too soon followed Jefferson, then
Minister to France, offered to make 1rumhuu ms
secretary hut he declined the place for the sake OF
art His whole mind was now bent on producing
his series of historical paintings which he desired
10 have engraved in the highest style lie came
back toAmerca to subscriptions for the prints
Landing ut New-YOrk, he found the Government OF
the United States organized under the new cOnsti-
He paned the portrait of that great man for the
CORPORATION Of Ncw-York. He says: Every part
of the detail of the dress horse, furniture,
etc as well as the scenery, was accurately
cop,ed from the real objects He also
painted the portraits of the members of a depu-
taton from the Creek Indians. But his main bust
ness was gong about with his subscription book
and in obtaining portraits for his historical series
He seems 20 have taken unweariod pains in ms en-
deavor to secure accuracy for his pictures lie also
paintcd several other portraits of General Washing
ton The subscription does not appear 10 have been
very successful.
A scene which occurred at Jetersons home is
worth, recording: On entering the drawing room,
he found part Of the company already assembled.
MI Giles, of Virginia, was present, who Immediate
" began to rally Trumbull upon the Puritanical
ancestry and character Of New England. Trumhull
was the only person from that section of the conn
try and felt himself bOuud 10 defend IT. 1t APP
peared TO have been prearranged that there should
be discussion Of the Christian religion, in which it
should be powerfully asSailed and weakly defended,
for the amusement OF rather frec-hnlsing dinner
party The character, conduct and doctrines OF
Christ were NATURALIZATION g in the mean time
smiling and nodding appreciation Of Mr.. Giles
Only David Franks. a jew first cashier or the
United states Bank took mp the argument on lrum-
balls side. Upon ms ne 'uThou 10 MI JEFFERSON
and said Sir this is strange situation IN which
| find myself. In country protesting Chris
tiauty and at a table with Christians. as supposed,
lind my religion and myself attacked with severe
and almost irresistible Wit and raillery, and not
person 10 aid nae i'll my defense but my friend Mr..
Franks, cbO is MmscG a Jer' Giles he
came more bitter than ever ana broke out with: at
is miserable dclusion and priestcraft; do not
believe one word of all they say about future
state of existence and retributon for actions done
here. do not believe word Of a Supreme Beng,
who takes cognizance of the paltIy affairs of this