The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-02-24

was bat 81 when he died. He has 1ef
some examples Of true art that surpass
anything in the possession of the Govern
nlent One Of these is the beautiful clock
over the entrance 10 the old House o
Representatives, now Statuary Hall.
Il represents History riding on the car 81
Time making a record as she goes. The
dial Of the clock is The wheel of the car.
Ibis fine work OF art has received the
admiration OF Webster. Clay, Preston. and
all the brilliant minds that have adorned
this Nation This, like true history, is
entering upon her record the names OF
great men as she passes in her car oil time.
John Quincy Adams, just before his
sudden death in this hall, wrote his name
to a poetcal address TO this muse OF his
tory. commencing:
Come down. thou marble figure. upon the
floor
And take down the name OF each candidate
for fame y
Credit has been given to Giuseppe Fran
zOni for this as the only specimen OF his
work remaining after the fire: but he died
before any of his children were 10 years
old and his daughter. LavinIa. then a
young lady. sat as a model Tor her uncle
for The face and arm in this figure; be-
sides. The name OF Carlos appears on the
clock
Carlos built him a house on Four anda
halt street, opposite The Presbyterian
Church Over the door and windows, until
a few years ago. could be seen mythOlogic
figures Of Mercury, Bacchus, and others
which he executed at his leisure
He also imported two Carrara marble
mantels from Italy for his house, but
Commodore Biasdon persuaded him To sell
them 10 the Government for the Senate
Chamber Of the Capitol. and they are still
in the Supreme Ccur, room.
DR. Franzoni has q magnificent portrait
Of h1c nray1lfafbp Carlos Fran ZOni mint
Ell by The great Eonani. The family have
been offered a fabulous price for il by the
New York Historical Society
In the old Supreme Court room, near the
Law Library is bas-reief. "a part %
which is from the same master hand. the
Goddess Of Justice holding the scales. On
The left is a youth, Fame. bearing in his
hand "a scroll upon which is inscribed the
Constitution The inferiority 0! this figure
in comparison with the figure OF Justice at
once sets one 10 studying the cause OF the
discrepancy in the workmanship.
We are informed by his grandson, now
living, that the Franzoni heirs never came
into possession OF any Of the drawings, or
models left al the death of Carlos. One
solution OF the difficulty may be that ar
inferior artist was put on the work 10
finish the bas-rcicf. II Is certainly
libel on The name o! FranZ0ni TO attribute
the whole work To him.
There is yet another bit of work from the
great masters hand IN the National archi-
lecture found In the pillars at the foot Of
the stairway Of the old Senate Chamber,
now used by the Supreme Court.
These were executed by Franzoni from
a suggestion Of Thomas Jefferson that
Sorle design should be made that would
he entirely American The columns OF
cornstai>s, the capitals OF the full corn in
the ear were the result. No Corinthian or
Doric columns are more exquiSiiely beauti-
ful.
What use was made of the drawings and
models left, only the architect OF the Capt.
toll knows.
ITO be eontinued.)