The Washington herald., 1909-01-07
WASHINGTON CHAT.


ASdig. A-s VIVA ~ IN the SuDUrDS OF
Sorrento. just opposite Capri The won
derful Blue GTOtto. as Il Is called is one
OF the show places OF that locality, which
has suffered from previous earthquakes.
but happily undisturbed by the recent
one.
II nature does give Inspiration, there
is no place in the world that would be
better depot for such a gift The point
( IN Sorrento where Crawford's viile stands
juts far out into the sea; before it is
Vesuyius. and around it the wonderful
blue waters that no artist has been
able TO adequately paint and no poet
able 10 adequately describe. It might
seem strange 20 the uninitiated that an
American novelist should choose such an
environment for his home, but Marion
Crawford Is Italian born, although both
his mother and father came Of good old
American stock. II is natural that ne
should elect TO live under the skies that
I first smiled upon him.
Marion Crswford's father. by the way,
was Thomas G. Crawford. whose name
viii live because he was the sculptor OF
the famous Statue Of Liberty. sometimes
called the Goddess Of Freedom and the
Indian Goddess, which crowns the dome
Of the Capitol The statue was designed
in 1855. at Mr. Crawfcrd's studio in Rome.
and cast in the foundry OF Clark Mills.
near BladeusbUrg. where the Jackson
statue on his hobby horse. as Thackersy
termed It. which occupies the center Of
Lafayette Square. Just opposite the White
House. was also nodded The original
model was adorned with liberty cap
I OF the same fashion as the Roman badge
OF emancipation. jeweled with a circiet
OF stars. which subsequently gave place
70 the present helmet SurmOunted BY an
eagles head and an arrangement Of
feathers suggesting the costume Of our
Indian tribes.
When he was about 10 transmit the
plaster Of this colossal work 10 America.
8r- Crawford wrote 10 Capt. MeiEs. who
was then in charge OF the public build
ings and grounds;
IT is quite possible that Mr.. jefferson
Davis may. as upon a former occasion.
object 70 the cap of Liberty and the
faces ! can only say in reply that the
work ts for the people. and they must
be addressed in language they understand
and which has become unalterable for
the masses
The emhlems / aIlude 20 can be re-
placed by any invention OF the artist. all
l that can be done is % add 70 them. as
/ ] have done. by placing the ciTCIet Of
stars around the cap of Liberty: II thus be
comes more picturesque. and nothing OF
( its generally understood signifcation is
lost AT arguments. however must re-
I duce themselves into the question. VIII
( the people understand it7- I. therefore
hope the Secretary win allow the en-
blems 10 pass muster
Il have said the statue represents
armed Liberty She rests up1n the
I shield of our country the triurlph OF
which Is made apparent by the wreath
held IN the same hand which grasps the
shield. In her right hand size holds the
sheath-d sword. 70 show the fight Is over
T for the present but ready for use when
( ever required. The stars upon her brow
/ indicate her heavenly origin her position
Upon the globe represents her protection
Z or the American world-the justice Of
whose cause is made apparent by the
enblemS supporting it
A lucid and definite description Of the
statue. but such a statue should not need
description, the people should under
stand
But enough OF Thomas Crawford: he
/ belongs 10 another age and generation,
and was never as much IN the public eye
as his son, who has given SO many pleas
ant hours % ali English readers. Mr.
Crawford is married 10 niece Of Mrs
{ Hobson. and 50 is connected with Edith
[ Wharton, whose husband IS a nephew OF
I Mrs Hobson. and whose works VIII live
much longer than those Of Ihe popular
Marion. Mrs. Wharton has thought out
scme Of the plots for her novels IN Wash
I ingIOn. where her br0jher-in-laW. William
/ Fisher Wharton. was al one time As
sistant Secretary OF state Mr- Craw-
ford's daughter was married only a year
ago % a titled Italian. who has been one
/ Of the foremost In the relief expenditiOns
that have gone 20 the devastated district
The Crawford villa IS a wonderful
{ palace st in the midst Of sweet-smelling
I orange groves with mountains covered
with olive trees for background They
are cared for by faithful Italian servants.
A marriage OF much interest 10 Wash
IngtOn people was recently celebrated
in Atlanta. when Mary Brent Smith. the
daughter Of Gov. Smith, who was q
tiny maiden when her father was mem
Z Der OF CIeveland-s Cabinet. was married
20 Ronald Ransom. her brothers chum
and partner. and one OF the most prom
/ 4sing young lawyers in the capital Of
( Georgia
The occasion was a pleasant one 10
( Gov. Smith because he has great faith
I IN his sOn-ia-law. who is not rich him
self, but who has something better than
wealth-brains-and is sure 20 make a
record in the world, and because il
brought evidence Of the regard in which
he is held by his former associates.
Hardly a person conspicuous in the
I Cleveland administration but sent gifts
20 the bride, whom they remembered as
a child. Conspicuous among them was
one from Mrs. Cleveland. but more valu-
able than the present was her hearty
congratulations and words Of affection
Mrs. Ransom IS a charming young wo-
man. not beautiful but with something
better than beauty, pleasing and
gracious personality and quick Wit
Government by Veto.
Fr7r Life