New-York tribune., 1905-06-03
BI0NDl LETTERS READ.
General di CesnoIa Tried to SaUe
ScuIptor's Feelings.

Several letters feature OF the trial yester-
day in the suit of Ernesto Biondi the italian
sculptor, 100000 damages from the Metro
poitan Museum of Art for failure to exhibit his
bronze group "Saturnaia.'' The examination of DIR.
Luigi Roversi secretary of the late General Louis
+ oil Cesnola, resumed at the morning session.
Or. Roversi testified regarding the letters which
he had written instructed by General di Cesnola-
a question by Gilbert Ray Halves, for the plaintiff,
as to whether not there a private exhibition
Of the group at night when the trustees it and
approved It objected to by Elihu Root. The
objection sustained The doctor said he did
not hear OF any objection to the group on the
ground of immortality.
objection was also successfully made by Mr. Root
20 Mr. Hawes's question as to whether General di
Cesnola performed his duties director strictly
according to the bylaws of the museum. He wanted
70 prove not only that the general had the power to
make contract, but that he exercised it.
In his cross-examination of Dr. Roversl Mr.. Root
oI1ered in evidence letter to General di Cesnoia
from Costantino Biondi. brother of the sculptor,
dated September !, 1901. 1t admitted. despite
mr' HaWess objection. and was. in part. as follows;
The Marquis Carignano. the acting Italian Minis
ter at Washington, writes me relative to his rec
SPoher 20 on II he ss Snn to
effect that the same might he bought by the Met. ct
The MARQUIS tells me that for the present the
of such acquisition but he adds the gratifying
taken Into Consideration his request and are win,
ing to do everything possible to acquire the desired
of the Museum.
A letter from DR.. Roversi to Ernesto Biond, dated
March 27, 1sos was in part as follows:
The decision of the board Of trustees has been
or GX Sbroa 6S ooud learn
therefore nothing has been printed or pubnsheu
BEEN compeey TRat IS the
Why the general has requested me to keep you in
than In official communication. Anyway. the
proper to send a petition to the board of trustees
Claiming min indemnity you can d do that f ana st s9e
Ing. which will occur on May IS.
Charles Stewart Smith, a trustee of the Museum.
at the afternoon session testified that he saw the
group when 1t put UP in the new east wing,
and he voted for the resolution passed by the rus-
tees to have 1t removed from public exhibition IN
view of hostile criticism Asked whether prior TO
that meeting he had expressed any dissatisfaction
with the group, he replied: "I did-to my wife. I
don't recollect any else"
Mr.. Smith declared he did not know of his own
knowledge that the National Sculpture Society had
passed resolution obtecting to the acceptance Of
the group by the Museum. He said such reso-
luton had been by the society to the trustees
John Crosby Brown, q trustee of the Museum.
said he, when with General di Cesnola the
group for the first time in the east wing. He
objected TO 1t to the general and he voted the
resolution Of the trustees to remove It.
Constantine Bondi being recalled. said he was
pieSeAt HN q reception In the east wing in jan
uary, 1902, when hundred guests saw the
group fanked side by Macnonniess 'Bao-
chante" and on the other by Barnard's 1.-TWO Nat
ures Of Man" Among the trustees present were
Charles Stewart Smith. John Crosby Brown and
Frederick w. Rhnelander. Mr. Biondi heard no
criticism Of the group from anybody.
G. Brenna, counsellor at Rome wrote in May.
ASo0' 10 General d Cesnola, expressing the scptors
surprise that the group had been 'set aside on
the specious ground Of immortality" The reply
from General di Cesnola to G. Brenna was dated
May Is. 1903. end was in part as follows:
The decision of the board of trustees was that
the group, 'Saturna1ia,'' should be removed from
the hall where it had been placed and so without
regard to the legal consequences which must follow
could do nothing else but execute the order.
Mr.. Biondi said that Frederick w. Rhinelander
wrote to his brother that the committee of the
Museum offered him $1,000 In settlement. That was
refused and the present action was brought. At 5
o'clock the trial was adjourned till Wednesday
morning next.