Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-21

his feet with equal frmness upon the
ground, and placed in his hands the Of
ficer's STAFF: lie wears a hat and long
cloak-and the latter dropping from his
shoulders is caught and tossed violently
forward by supposedly boisterOus wind.
The sense of motion is well Indicated the
first impression unusual and pleasing. The
face is finely modelled and the work gener-
ally spirited in effect. Momentarily it graf
itieS the eye, but the question is. whether
or not II would endure familiarity. A me-
mortal of this description is a permanent
adornment and suspended action does not
always wear we'll These are points which
will all, without question. be carefully con-
sidered before the award Is made, and
which will in the end make the decision
of the jury of the utmost interest.
In this, connection word may be SAD
in relation to the Wiley bill, now pending
before Congress, which provides for the
Institution and support of an advisory art
board of national character. 1t proposes
the appointment of five experts. at mod
crate salaries, whose duty 1T shall be to
pass upon plans of buildings. monuments.
parks, bridges paintings and the like when
requested or required by congressional res
oution, cabinet officer the District COM
missioners or other officials intrusted with
constructive public works. Their power
will be merely that of suggestion, and their
advice, sought and given shall not be bind
Ing Even so the institution of such a
board would be the greatest boon and fu-
ture blessing. From every section of the
country praise has come for the park COM
missions plans but If these are ever car
ried out il must be under wise direction,
Washington has already suffered much, and
unnecessarily, from diversity of rulers
from a lack of expert wisdom in affairs OF
art Our diSfguring statues. unsightly pub
lie buildings and damaged suburbs are not
the result of careleSSnesS, but ignorance
lack of time the part of busy men to
become specialists. This could be recti1ed
by such unifying committee, which. II
not ali-wise, w0Ald at least be discrIminat-
ing and thoughtful. The bill has the en-
,husiastic Endorsement of the artists anu
these interested in art in this city and
has. 1t is understood, met with approval in
the House, where 1t was first introduced.
*
Quite a number of extremely interesting
miniatures were included In the catalogue
of the loan exhibition held this week at
the Octagon under the auspices of the Ma
tional Society of Colonial Danes. Owing
to the fact that the exhibit was primarily
historical, rather than artistic, the little
portraits Were displayed with other les In
large cases, and did not. therefore. make
as imposing a showing as though grouped
by themselves. Indeed in many instances,
they were difficult to see at all, but almost
without exception they amply rewarded
effort and search. There was particularly
beautiful one by Malbone OF Hannah Snu-
brick Haywood when a litde girl of ten,
loaned by Miss A. s. Trapier, and near this
an interesting likeness of Mrs William Rob-
ertson painter by Malbone's friend and col
league. Charles Fraser was placed. Trum-
bull was represented by miniatures OF Gen.
Charles Coteswreth Pinckney and Gen.
Thomas Pinckney, loaned by Miss Rut-
ledge, and there was admirably render
ed likeness of Washington Aliston. the