Evening star., 1914-03-15


wrote the interesting !ittle sketch which
follows: Z
Among the properties situated on
Pennsylvania avenue east, purchased by
the government for the site Of the new
Congressional Library, was house
which. though unpretsnding in size and
appearance, possessed much historical
interest. This house was No. 121. the
old homestead and late residence of
Giuseppe Franzoni. tha first sculptor sent
from Italy to this country. The house
has now been demolished to make room
for the new Library building. When the
seat Of government Tas removed from
Philadelphia to Washington it was decid-
ed and deemed necessary to adorn the
Capitol and beautify 1T with works OF
art. There was no one to whom the duty
could be intrusted and Congress sent to
Italy for the best sculptor then known 70
come to this country to undertake the
work They 'ected Giuseppe Franzoni.
who was considered e1ual to the great
Canova, and who was then employed In
the palace of the Grand Duke OF TUSCANY
whose near relative he was. After much
persuasion and with the promise OF a
handsome salary, his expenses all paid
and the surety given lnat the traveiins
expenses of himself arid famfly-no mat
ter how numerous-should be paid again
native country, he consented to accept
the position He arrived In 1906 or 1907,
accompanied by his beautiful Wife, VINO
was then only fifteen years old. AT that
time Washington was, almost a wider
ness, and the housss few and far
between.
The government engaged for their occu-
pancy one wing of Browns Hotel. now
called the Metropolitan. Imagine ths
change. From 1taly's sunny cline anu
streets, no sidewalks. and not one mouse
between the Capitol and the hotel. soon
firing of the frightfui trudge. "nch II.
became his silk stockings and knee
breeches, Mr.. FranzoAi pufcnasso ~
himself the best residence then to be had
and near the Capitol namely, the Ola
house referred to above.
Mr. Franzoni was the intimate 1rlehu
of Thomas Jefferson. then President 0,
the United States. with whom ne diheo
every Sunday, and there are now M pos
session of his descendants several articies
of value given by the President to Mr.
Franzoni and his wife as tokens or ms
affection and esteem. : Aith other tnlhks
is a silver sugar dish made according to
the order of Thomas Jefferson and pre-
sented by him to Mes franzohl as
Christmas present.
Mr.. F'ranzoni nsvur returned TO his
much-loved home, the beautiful city OF
Florence. The severity of this climate
was too great for hin5, and he died ten
years after coming to this country, leav-
ing widow and six children. His mag
nificent works were destroyed when the
Capitor was burned Ey the British. 1t
may be added that all; promises made by
the government were; fulfilled. and al
though none of his children wished to go
to Italy-and all Of t,icm were born in
this country-by special act of Congress
their travelling expenkes were awarded
and paid them The lase Cardinal Fran
zoni, first priest of the Sacred College
and prefect of the propaganda, was his
brother. During the thirty years he was
cardinal he consecrated seventy-two bish-
ops. He was considered most just man,
severe almost to bigetry. and lost the
papal throne through the veto of Austria .
From this one might infer that Gui-