Evening star., 1937-07-03
THE EVENING WASHINGTON, {, SATURDAY, JULY
JEFFERSON WAS TRUE ARTIST|
America Owes Debt Declaration of independence Author for
Beauty of Early Buildings for Which He Urged Use Of Forms
Vthe World Had Already Agreed to Admire"

from MeSsrs. Buchanan and Hay, as
directors of the public buildings, de-
string would have drawn for them
plans for sundry buildings, and, in the
first place. Of capitol. They fixed for
their receiving this plan day which
was within six weeks Of that on which
their letter came to hand. I engaged
an architect OF capital abilities in this
business. Much time was requisite,
after the external form was agreed on,
to make the internal distribution con-
venient for the three branches OF gov
ernment. This time was heightened by
my avocations to other objects, which
I had no right to neglect. The plan,
however. was settled. The gentlemen
buchanan and Hay) have sent me
one which they have thought Of The
one agreed on here is more convenient,
more beautiful, gives more room, and
will not cost more than two-thirds OF
what that would. We took for our
model what is called the Maison Car
rec OF Mines, one Of the most beauti-
full, If not the most beautiful and
precious morsel of architecture left us
by antiquity. 1t is very simple.
but it is noble beyond expression, and
would have done honor to our country
as presenting to travellers a specimen
OF taste In our infancy, promising
much for our maturer age.
HAVE been much mortified with
information which I received two
days ago from Virginia that the first
brick OF the new capitol would be laid
in few days. But surely the delay
of this piece of Summer would have
been repaid by the savings in the plan
preparing here, were we to value its
other superiorities as nothing. But
how is taste in this beautiful art to
be formed in our countrymen unless
we avail ourselves of every occasion
when public buildings are to be erected
of presenting to them models for their
study and imitation?
Pray try if you can effect the stop
ping of this work The loss
Tin time and bricklaying, etc. is not
to be weighed against the saving of
money which will arise, against the
comfort Of laying out the public
money for something honorable, the
satisfaction Of seeing an object and
proof Of national good taste. and the
regret and modification of erecting a
monument Of our barbarism which
will be loaded with execrations as long
as it will endure.
The plans are in good forwardness,
and hope will be ready within three
or four weeks. They could not be
stopped now, but on paying the whole
price, which will be considerable.
If those in charge are afraid
to undo what they have done en-
courage them to it by a recommended
ton from the Assembly.
You see am an enthusiast on the
subject of the arts, but it is an en-
tnusiasm of which I am not ashamed,
as its object is to improve the taste
of my countrymen. to increase their
reputation, to reconcile to them the
respect of the world and procure them
its praise.
Yours affectionately.
THOMAS JEFFERSON"
THE reference in this letter to the
Maison Carree at Mines recalls
the fact that in the late Spring of that
same year Q785) Jefferson made a
famous journey to Southern France
along the Riviera, In the course of