St. Landry clarion. (Opelousas, La.) 1890-1921, 1896-08-29

iacessant study, began work upon hfs
model. He worked steadily and care
fully, and in 1910, after six years OF
painstaking effort, the work was COM
pleted. In 1S41, latter numerous yexa-
tious delays, the statue was transported
10 America in the American ship Sea, OF
Norfolk, after the vessel had been
altered so as to admit the bulky, boxed
figure through it's hatchway. No ordi-
nary sailing vessel of that period would
admit the statue IN it's hold, and there
was not a ship in our navy which could
transport it. There was considerable
correspondence between Greenough
and the secretary of the navy on this
subject. Finally the Sea was chartered
for Sc, 500 to bring the statue to Wash
.ngton, with the privilege of stopping
at other ports than Leghorn, for addi-
t.onal cargo. The anxiety OF the artist
te display this statue in the national
capital without delay was such, how
ever, that out of his own private funds
lie paid the commander of the Sea 81 500
20 speed straight to Washington city
with his precious burden. Consequent
| ~, on July 81, 1841, the Sea anchored at
the navy yard In the Potomac riyer,and
preparations were Immediately com-
| menced TO. the erection of the statue
! in the rotunda Of the capitol. The sum
of $4,000 was spent for a pedestal and
50 900 more, was expended in the re-
moval of the statue from the ship to the
| rotunda.
Nobody liked the statue after it was
placed in position. 1t filled the center
of the rotunda, the light upon it was
unsatisfactory, and finally, at an ex-
pense of $4,000, it was removed to the
position which it now occupies on the
east front Of the capitol, and was sur
rounded by an iron railing. Twenty
years ago, however, the railing was re-
moved, and there it stands an object CT
admiration and of criticism. Concern
| ing it's merits, each observer must judge
| for himself.
Ten years ago it was discovered that
| the frost and rain had caused the back
of the statue to crack. The soft Italian
marble could not withstand the vicissi-
| tudes of outdoor life. In 1889, by re-.
| quest OF the senate committee on the
| library, the architect of the capitol was
authorized to erect a temporary shelter,
| and since that time, in winter months.
| the statue is covered by 4 movable frame
house, and the disintegration of the
marble has ceased. Early in July the
house was removed, and the statue is
now exposed to public view by day and
by night. Greenough, the artist, DUR
| ing his lifetime repeatedly urged con-
gress to erect over and about it pa
vilion for its protection; but congress
never does anything right, until com
PEELED to by stress Of circumstances:
and hence the pavilion has never been
i erected, and is not likely to be for years
| to come.
Concerning the criticisms made by
! critics of his own day, the artist wrote
| a memorial to congress, saying: The
designs Of Frederick IT,, with his huge
/ walking stick and preposterous queue; !;
i Louis XVI, with his redundant periwig.
/ cumbrous robes and stilted shoes, were
applauded by contemporaneous artists,
/ The effect of those designs to-ds is III.
repressible laughter. have been there
t by Influenced to avoid putting up III
i high places of this republic colossal
COPY Of an uncouth costume, which has
already passed into disuse.s
SMITH D. FRY
Passing It On.
aNan, what do you do when another
/ girl snubs yol?'
81 snub the next girl meet. Chicar