Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-12
PRAISE FOR OUR CITY
SCOTTISH SCULPTOR GIVES HIS
IMPRESSIONS,
Gem Of Many Fine Structures is White
House, "The Acme Of Re-
fined Taste.'


Mr.. Brine Rhind, II. s. A., of Edinburgh,
Scotland, who spent day in Washington
last week, was favorably impressed with
the national capital. He was asked by The
Evening Star to give his Impressions, and
this is what he said:
las sculptor and member of the Royal
Scottish Academy of the Fine Arts you
would like my impressions of this, my
first visit to Washington? WE'LL I must
confess to you l more than agree
ably surprised; l am delighted with your
city. The magnifcence of your public
buildings, the wealth of art displayed on
their adornment, the great number and
beauty Of your public monuments, your
parks and boulevards. combine to make it,
in my opinion. a delightful residential city.
You know 1 came from Edinburgh, quite
the most picturesque capital in Europe,
with many fine buildings. and am likely
to be critical in Judging other places; put.
with you, there is room Tor anything
but praise at the manner in Whlch your
people are preserving the beauty OF your
city and enhancing its effect by additions
of fine sculpture, etc.
your Capitol is a grand architectural
conception, admirably designed for Its fine
situation. surrounded by the beautiful tiers
and gardens. l was impressed very much
by it's appropriateness and the dignity or
the purpose for which it was created
The Congressional Library.
1.-The Congressional Library is a wonder
full pile, though one longs for little of the
rest in detail, such as is displayed in the
Capitol; but the disposition of its decora-
ton, the manner in which the enrichments
have been carried out, especially the series
of statues of the worlds geniuses in the ro
tunda, form a feature of which any city
would be proud to POSSESS.
Il was greatly taken with the Corcoran
Art Gallery. The masses of plain surface.
SO enhanced by the admirable grouping of
its architectural detail, appealed to me i'm
mensely. 1 cannot say, the same for your
post office. 1t Is very disappointing.
THE treasury building is very dignified
in its classic breadth and fine sense of pro-
portion. Your war offices form a wonder
fully effective group, though the good quail
tiles of the treasury are somewhat wanting
here.
ITO me the gem of the many fine struct-
ures in your charming city is the White
House. There you have the acme of re-
fined taste. Its proportion, disposition of
light and shade, it's enrichments both out
side and in, Its various compartments so
admirably applied make 1t an architectu-
raj heirloom 1t is fitting America should
preserve it with loving care, and it recalls
the beautiful architectural achievements by
Adams which my native city possesses and
is SO justly proud of.
Public Monuments
Europe which possesses so many good
public monuments as you have here.
Lafayette by Mercie & Falguiene is ex-
ceedingly fine. but praise is due to your
American sculptors who so ably hold their
own against the great French masters of
the plastic art.
The Hahnemann memorial by Niehaus
is in my opinion deserving of the highest
praise. 1 was particularly fortunate in
being able to view the competitive models
for the Grant EQUESTRIAN statue. Shrady's
scheme is most effective arrangement for
such work so monumental in character,
while NiehauS is to be congratulated OH
his ability to produce such high-clasS works
of art as his enlarged competitive models
show 49,.
ITO me 1t speaks volumes for the future
of American sculpture that you have cfd-
zens Of this great republic who can con-
| ceive and carry out so ably difficult prob
| lens IN monumental art
Must Have Beneficial Effect.
| "Of course the architects, seulptors and
decorative artists of this country are to be
| envied that, through the munificence of a
| generous government and the generosity of
its wealthy citizens, opportunities are given
| them to produce great works. The wisdom
| of identifying our daily surroundings is
| bound to have beneficial effect in the fu-
| ture.
II must not forget to speak of several
| of your buildings erected for business pur-
poses. The New Willard Hotel is, in my
| opinion. an exceedingly good example, of
| excellent proportion, with a facade well d.
| versified. 1t makes handsome public build
Ing sa, - sto. ,,,,,,z,. war ~ 80
| the ediices which at once attracted my at
| tention. 1t is clever design, we'll wrought
out and so appropriate to It's purpose. The.
Riggs Bank another which stood out
| from its surroundings.