The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-17

Of Isl when Mr. Lemon again went TO
Europe While i'm Paris. DE saw NJ. faul
Balzo. an eminent historical painter or
France. who had copied hfty-two Of the
paintings OF Raphael. FOR the French
| Government Among the copies made
bv him were two of the school OF
Athens. one of which was dq csitel i'm
! the Library of Saint Gcneyieve and the
other I'm the Pantheon. SO impressed was
MIR. London with the beauty and faith
fulness of these copies. and so abundant
and satisfactory We're the testimonials
from the highest sources in reference
10 Mr. Bales talent and skill, that he
entered into preliminary arrangements
with him for executing the painting
agreeing TO pay him $500. The selection
Of NJ. Paul Bale was cOncurred m by
Messrs. John l.. peytOn. John K. Page,
John c. BroadnaX, a. Robert Mckoe and
Edward g. Higsnbotham. Alumni of the
University who was I'm Paris with Mr.
London, and who, in a letter addressed
10 the committee urged the employment
of NJ. Bale and quoted many distin-
gulshed authorities in proof of his pecu-
| liar qualification for .he work.
Before intelligence of those proceedings
was received boy the committee. Mr. Will
liam H. Wickham. of Hanover, then IN
Rome. had seen and conversed with Sig
more Mazzolini and obtained from him a
proposition for painting the picture. This
proposition was forwarded 10 the bniNer-
sity by the committee. 10 be laid before
the society Of Alumni at their meeting
| I'm June Of that year. The society de-
clined 10 accept t.. but on motion OF Mr.
y. Hardin Massie OF Charlottesville,
adopted resolutions as follows:
Re oivcc unanimously, That tho Society
Of Alumni earnestly recommend 10 its
members 10 unite in carrying out the de-
| sign OF procuring a copy Of the school
| OF Athens" for the University
Resolved 2d. That committee or five
be appointed for the purpose OF commu-
I nicating the foregoing resolution 90 the
members of this society. We solicit their
subscription TO effect this object.
And the chair appointed on the COM
mittee Messrs. Thomas II. Ellis, John
r. Thompson. Benjamin B. Minor John
5. Caskie and Nathaniel II. Massie.
THF COPY FIsALtY SECURED.
Col. Ellis. as chairman and treasurer
Of the committee. attended the meeting
Of the society Of Alumni at the Universe
", in June. 1885, made report OF the pro-
oeedings of the committee, and submitted
resolutions authorizing the committee 10
contract for a copy Of the school OF
Athens" whenever they might have IN
! hand $500. and 10 subscribe 500 out OF
! the funds of the society 10 be paid 20 the
committee forthwith in part OF that sum.
! Tho subject was considered and discussed
] In an animated manner on three several
occasions. and decision finally postponed
| until the ensuing annual meeting OF the
society.
/ To the great surprise or the committee,
! their efforts for a long time seemed I'M
availing. and il was not until the spring
Of 1850 that an opportunity offered which
| seemed 10 bring them within reach OF the
object at which they aimed. On the Ist
| Of April in that year. they entered INTO
an agreement with Mr.. William A. Pratt,
| OF Richmond. by which he undertook 70
procure for them copy OF the painting
| by Paul BalZe.
! Mr. Powhatan Ellis. Jr.. or Elcnmond,
was then commissioned as an agent by
| the committee 10 solicit contributions IN
their name ana proceeded TO the uniVer-
sity for that purpose. He acted without
compensation. receiving only his heces-
sary travelling expenses.
on the eth OF July ISIS. Mr.. Pratt re-
| csived the paintine. into his possession.