The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-03-08

to inquire what it will cost to insure
n sum on his life. in London, and
20 give me as carly an answer as
possible, that | may order the insur-
ance if / think the terms cas-,
enough Adams attended to the in
uranc and Jefferson wrote him
again. thanking him for his trouble
and paying him for the insurance.
While in Philadelphia, laying in a
new supply of tools, Houdon received
the following letter from Washington:
Sir: By a letter which have late
y had the honor to receive from DIR.
at Philadelphia, I am in.
formed OF your arrival at that place.
Many letters from very reputable
characters in France as we'll as the
DOCTORS, inform me Of the occasion,
for which though the cause is not Of
my seeking, l feel the most agreeable
and grateful sensations. [ wish the
object of your mission had been more
worthy of the mastery genius Of the
first statuary in Europe; for thus you
are represented to me.
1T will give me pleasure, Sir, to
| welcome you to this seat Of my re-
tirment; and whatever / have. or can
procure, that is necessary TO your pur-
poses. or convenient and agreeable to
your wishes, you must freely COM
mand as Inclination to Oblige you will
be among the last things in which [
kt DC 1ouL1u S3tiIci oii
your arrival or during your stay
With sentiments Of esteem, 1 am
| Sir, etc"
Houdon stayed at MT. Vernon about
three weeks in the month OF October,
1885. During this time he modelled
a bust of General Washington. He
| took back to Paris with him a mod Ell
of the face only and left the other
parts of his work to be brought over
later by the wOrkmen. 1t has been
said that Houdon kept the model IN
the stateroom with him all the time,
SO that if anything should happen,
they would share the same fate to-
! gether.
The statue is a precise copy of this
model of the bust OF Washington. 1t
il the exact size of life and is made
of white marble. The costume of the
statue is modern, that in which Wash
ington appeared as
chief. Some have objected TO this
costume as being neither classical,
graceful, nor suited to the dignity Of
the art. However that may be, 1T
will always give pleasure as present
ing an exact representation and as
calling up historical association. n
profound inscription for the statue did
not suit Houdon, and he wished t"
change it, saying that it was too long
for the space it was to occupy. HIS
objection was seriously entertained by
MIR. Jefferson, but the State used the
first inscription, which runs thus.
The General Assembly of Virginia
has caused this statue TO be erected
as a monument Of affection and graft
tude to George Washington. who,
uniting to the endOWments Of the nero
the virtues OF the patriot, and exert
ing both in establishing the liberties
of his country, has rendered ms name
dear to his fellow citizens, and gaven
to the world an immortal example OF
true glory The statue was placed IN
the rotunda Of the State Capitol at
Richmond.
From Mrs. J. J. Lloyd we learn that
her father, Mr.. w. j. Hubbard. many
years later realized that time had be-
gun to assail the marble statue, pieces
had been broken off. and fire was
threatening to destroy the only au-
thentic form of the mighty Washing
ton. Mr.. Hubbard presented to the
Virginia Legislature his plan or max
ing bronze copies of the marble statue.
n Legislature gave him. and him
only. permission to take casts from
the Houdon mould.
Accordingly he built a large foun-
dry, and engaged skilled Work1neh
from Germany and elsewhere. Huh
bard, himself. was born in Germany.
studied art In European schools, and
came to America to live. He mar
/ jct Oh l. l3AA61 1870
mond. Virginia, and had his studio.
laboratory, and foundry just outside
of the city. After gaining permission
from the Legislature to make casts
from Houdon's mould, he first placed
a plaster Of paris copy in the capitol
at Washington for the inspection and
approval Of Congress.
With many Instructions and with
but small means, the artist began his
great work. He superintendent IN per
son the making Of h moulds. at
great cost Of labor, money and time.
The first two statues were a failure,
at the cost of $1,000 each to the artist.
But he knew not the word failure.
A friend came forward at this time
and advanced the money for another
trial, for Hubbard had used All ms
available means. Work went orWard
on the third mould. February Y,
1885. was the day set for the open
ing Of the furnace on the thlrd mould.