Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-24
CITY AND DISTRICT
An OLD LANDMARK GONE
The House of the Sculptor Who Adorned
the Old Capitol.

Among the properties situated on Pennsylvania
avenue east, purchased by the government for the
site OF the new Congressional library, was house
which, though unpretending in size and appear
ance, possessed much historical interest. This
was house No. 12I, the old homestead and resi-
dence OF the late Giuseppe Franzoni, the frst
sculptor sent from Italy TO this country. The
house has now been demolished TO make room for
the new library building. When the seat OF govern
ment was removed from Philadelphia to Washing
ton It was decided and deemed necessary to adorn
the Capitol and beautify it with works Of art.
There was no one TO whom the duty could be en-
trusted and Congress sent to Italy for the best
sculptor then known to come to this country TO
nndesase the wors nes "a G th Ies
Canova, and who was then employed in
the palace OF the Grand Duke OF Tuscany,
whose near relative he was. After much perSua-
sion and with the promise of handsome salary,
his expenses all paid and the surety given that the
travelling expenses OF himself and family Sno
he wished TO return to his native country, he
consented to accept the position He arrived in
1905 or 1907, accompanied by his beautiful wife,
who was then only f1fJeen years old At that time
washington was almost wilderness, and the
houses few and far between The government
Hotel" now called the Metropolitan. Imagine the
changei From Italy's sunny cline and marble
walks and not one house between the Capitol and
the hotel soon firing OF the frightful trudge,
which Ill became his silk stockings and knee
best residence then TO be had. and near the Capt.
TOD, namely, the old house referred TO above. Mr..
EranzOn was the intimate friend OF ThoS Jefferson,
then President OF the United States, with whom
he dined every Sunday, and there are now in the
possession OF his descendants several articles OF
value given by the President 10 Nr. Franzoni and
his wife as tokens of his affection and esteem.
Among other things Is silver sugar dish, made
according TO the order of Thomas Jefferson, and
presented by him 70 Mrs. FranZoni as Christmas
present. II Is now in the possession OF her grand
daughter, Mrs. Horn r. Kneass, OF Philadelphia,
who intends TO present IL 10 the Historical Soeie-
" Of Pennsylvania" as memorial OF Thomas Jef-
fefson as well as OF her grandfather. Mr.. Fran
zoni never returned TO his much loved home, the
beautiful city OF Florence; the severity OF this c
mate was too great for him, and he died ten years
amer coming 10 this country, leaving widow and
SIX children His magnificent works were de-
srroyed when the Capitol was burnt by the British
during the war Of 1872. II may be added that all
the promises made by the government were full
nlled and although none OF his children wished TO
10 TO Italy (and all OF them were born In this
country, by special act OF Congress their travelling
expenses were awarded and paid them. The late
Cardinal FranZoni, first priest of the Sacred Col
lege and project OF the Propaganda, was his
brother During the so years that he was cardi-
nal he consecrated ~ bishops he was considered
a most just man, severe almost TO bigotry, and
lost the papal throne through the veto Of Austria