The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-01-19

The following correspondence between
Franklin W. smith, Curator OF the Halls
OF the Aucients, ex-senator John B. Hen
derson, and S. ". Woodward, is self-ex-
pianatory:
Washington. Dec. 81. 1860.
M. Franklin w Smith. Curator of the
Halls of the Ancients, Washington,
DC:
My Dear Sir: received the joint state
ment OF Mr.. Woodward and yourself con-
corning the finances of the Halls of the
Ancients and suggesting subscriptions
OF 800 from a number of people in Wash
ington fer shares of stock.
You were long ago assured by my let
ter. published with others lately in
Senate document of my great interest in
your scheme for National Galleries as an
educational institution for our country l
now enclose my check Tor $780, which.
with the check from Mrs. Henderson Ter
like amount, may be applied for the pro-
motion Of your enterprise at your discre-
ton We give the $500 as a voluntary
contribution. but upon conference since
the Suggestion Of Mrs. Henderson last
evening. We both earnestly recommend TO
you that efforts be made forthwith TO Sc
OF Washington.
FIRST. That their instructive object
lessons may be opened free 10 all schol-
ars IN the city and TO the people OF the
United States Your reconstructions are
absolutely unique The beautiful Roman
house has no counterpart in the world
save your House of Pansa in Saratoga
Springs Il is a most impressive real
iza5iUn to all observers Of the environ
ment Of domestic life among he Romans,
/ which was always OF the same type, fol-
lowing the Greek example. Your Assy-
rian, Egyptian, Saracenic, and other halls
are full of novelty and instruction. These
should be at once added to the free use
( of visitors to the Capital from all parts
| Of the Union
! Second. 1he estate is q very valuable
/ one. most centrally located. The scTuc-
| ture l learn is practically fireprCof and
/ it would serve as headquarters and Offices
! fer the Washington Board of Education.
and It's halls could be utilized as lecture
| halls by professors in charge for the in
struction not only of youths but adults
Third. You should be wholly relieved
/ personally from The details you have car
ried on now for nearly four years-Gs-
/ tails not only Of architectural construc-
/ ton. bur those of a literary and aFchaeo-
/ logical character-and especially slould
! yeu be absolved from the personal bur-
CeES OF what IS, or ShCuld De essentially
/ a matter OF public concern. The pressure
upon you at seyenty-ive years Of age
! should be removed, and the institution
/ placed where it appropriately belongs
IT would be 'amentable If your design
/ for the facade after the model OF the
! great Hall OF kaTnak, and the other de
/ tails-interior-shou not be completed
/ by your hand, for no one else can have
50 clear a conception Of them as your
! self.
Fourth II the institution were thus
! secured, it would give you sufficient time
and leisure for the promotion OF the pro-
/ posed National Galleries Of Art. Tor which
/ you have Iabored SO long. I therefore
/ hope that you aud Mr. Woodward may
unite upon some plan to carry out the
/ views I have suggested above. and that
/ the plan adopted by you may be speedily
/ submitted TO the consideration :: Con-
/ gress. Yours. very truly.
J. B. HENDERSON,