USA > Washington > Standard history of the city of Washington from a study of the original sources > Part 42
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as the National Gallery of Art. Here the collection furnished pleasure and instruction to visitors and students and grew slowly until January 24, 1865, when a disastrous fire destroyed the entire art collection except a few pieces that had been placed on the main floor of the building and were saved.
After this catastrophe the National art possessions were temporarily placed with the Library of Congress and the Cor- coran Gallery of Art, and for years it appeared that there was no National Gallery.
In 1903, at the death of Harriet Lane Johnston, the niece of President Buchanan, who was mistress of the White House while he was President, it was found that she had bequeathed her art collection to the Government, when it should establish a National Gallery. After the decision of the courts that the United States already had a National Art Gallery connected with the Smithsonian Institution, the bequest was made over to the Government in 1906.
In 1904 another great art gift came to the Government by the generosity of Charles L. Freer, of Detroit, Michigan, then consisting of 2,250 pieces, and added to since by the donor.
Less than a year later William T. Evans of New York gave to the United States fifty paintings by American artists, which has since been increased to double that number.
The Harriet Lane Johnston collection, after being turned over to the Smithsonian Institution August 3, 1906, was housed in the reception room and office of the Secretary of the Institu- tion building, and remained there until November 20, when it was transferred to the temporary gallery fitted up in the Nation- al Museum building. This collection now occupies a room, where all the pieces can be seen to advantage. Among these is a beautiful miniature of President Buchanan, by John Henry Brown; a portrait of the Prince of Wales, presented to Mr. Buchanan by the Prince himself March 29, 1862; a portrait of Mrs. Abington by John Hoppner; one of Sir Thomas Lawrence's portraits, that of Lady Essex; Madonna and Child by Luini; Sir Joshua Reynolds' portrait of Mrs. Hammond; George Rom- ney's portrait of Miss Kirkpatrick; a marble bust of James
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Buchanan ; another of Harriet Lane Johnston's husband, Henry Elliot Johnston, by Rinehart; a marble cupid by the same artist of the little son of Mr. and Mrs. Johnston, Henry E., Jr .; a beautiful bust of the donor herself; and other beautiful and interesting pieces as well as several objects of historic interest.
When the Evans donation was accepted by the Government the Smithsonian had no suitable place for it, so gladly accepted the tender of the atrium of the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
Early in July, 1909, the collection was transferred to the gallery fitted up in the National Museum building, and Mr. Evans has since added other paintings. Some of the gems are : The Black Orchid by Frederick Stuart Church; High Cliff, Coast of Maine, Winslow Homer; September Afternoon, George Innis ; My Day Home, William Henry Howe ; Visit of Nicodemus to Christ, John LaFarge; An Interlude, William Sergeant Kendall; A Family of Birches, Willard Leroy Metcalf; The Boy With the Arrow, Douglas Volk; Eros et Musa, by Henry Oliver Walker; and a portrait of the collector and donor, by Alphonse Jongers.
The National Gallery of Art has other acquisitions also, some of which are: Aurora Borealis, by Frederic Edwin Church; Crossing the Ferry, by Adrian Moreau; Indian Sum- mer Day, by Max Weyl; Portrait of Mrs. Price, by William Hogarth; Sir Sampson Wright, by George Romney; Mrs. Towry, by Sir Thomas Lawrence; Duchess of Ancestor, by Sir Joshua Reynolds; Mrs. Rouse, by Sir Peter Lely, lent by Dr. Thomas M. Chartard, and others of equal note.
A valuable historical collection of canvases hanging in this gallery are the paintings of Edward Moran, depicting scenes from the history of America, from the Landing of Lief Erickson in 1001, to the War with Spain during closing years of the Nineteenth Century. "The Ocean-The Highway of All Na- tions," leads the list and is a most beautiful representation of the sea. There are twelve scenes familiar to all Americans, including "The Santa Maria, Nina and Pinta," standing out in an evening glow; "The Debarcation of Columbus," showing morning light; "First Recognition of the American Flag;"
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"Iron Versus Wood- Sinking of the Cumberland by the Merrimac;" and others as inspiring, as spirited and as beautiful.
The most elaborate art gallery in Washington and that best known, is the Corcoran Gallery of Art. This great public educa- tional institution was the gift of William Wilson Corcoran of Georgetown, in the form of the old building and grounds at 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, an endowment of $900,- 000, and a private art collection valued at $100,000. The building has been mentioned in the chapter on Public Buildings and Grounds.
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Since the original collection of Mr. Corcoran and the first installation of purchases, many pictures have been added. Some of the pictures that attract most attention are: a portrait of Mr. Corcoran by Charles Loring Elliott, painted in 1867; Church's Niagara Falls; George de Forrest Brush's Mother and Child; Sunset in the Woods by George Inness; A Light on the Sea, by Winslow Homer; Woodgatherers by Corot; Charlotte Corday, by Müller ; The Open Fire, by Robert Reed; The Help- ing Hand, by Emile Renouf; a Bull, by Rosa Bonheur; Wash- ington Before Yorktown, by Rembrandt Peale; Caesar Dead, by Gerome, one of the pictures of the original purchase by Mr. W. T. Walters in 1873; Pope Julius II before the Apollo Belve- dere, by Becker; Gilbert Stuart's Washington; Lenbach's Bis- marck; Sully's full-length portrait of Andrew Jackson; the row of the Presidents of the United States; Benjamin West's Cupid and Psyche; My Daughter, by Frank W. Benson.
The Barye collection of bronzes is an important possession of the gallery. The entire collection was acquired in 1873 by Mr. Walters while in Paris on his mission of selecting art works for the Corcoran Gallery of Art.
The growth of art in Washington has not been alone in its art galleries. Public buildings have had a large share in adding to the growth and in bringing artists to the Capital. For years the Capitol was a center for artists, and in this great building are some of the art treasures of the Country.
As we enter the rotunda we are attracted by the great Rogers bronze doors, the work of Randolph Rogers, an American
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sculptor who designed and modeled them in 1858, in Rome. They were cast two years later in Munich by F. von Miller. They were brought to America while the war was in progress and remained some time unused, but were placed in their pres- ent position at the eastern front of the building, in 1863.
The arched setting of the doors is appropriate and the deep frame into which the doors fit when opened, is ornamented with symbols of the discoverer they commemorate. The lunette at the top is the largest of the bas-reliefs and represents the land- ing of Columbus upon the newly found world. Under this, on the eight panels of the doors, are other scenes from the life of the discoverer. These are: Columbus Bofore the Council at Salamanca ; Columbus at La Rabida Convent, where he received hospitality ; Columbus at the Spanish Court receiving his com- mission; Columbus departing from Palos on his first voyage; His encounter with the Indians; His Triumphant Return to Barcelona; His arrival after the third journey in chains; and lastly, His Death.
Stepping into the rotunda, and under the lofty dome, which is one of the greatest architectural achievements, in the world, more of the Country's history is told in the large paint- ings on the walls. Four of those are the famous Trumbull pictures, painted by Colonel John Trumbull after the American Revolution.
High above these pictures is a historical frieze of fresco, (chiaro-oscuro), a work begun by Constantino Brumidi in 1878, representing events in the history of the country. His death in 1880 stopped the work, which was taken up later by his pupil, Castigini, but was never finished by him. A portion of it is still incomplete.
In the canopy of the dome, is the crowning decoration, the Apothesis of Washington, a very difficult, ambitious and well- executed piece of work that took years for completion and cost $50,000. In this concave surface of sixty-five feet diameter, the artist (Brumidi) has placed Washington as the central figure, with Liberty at his right hand and Victory at his left. The thirteen original States are represented by thirteen women,
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completing the ring from each side of Washington, a ribbon floating between them, on which are the words, "E Pluribus Unum." Another circle of figures around and under these contains the mythological symbolic representations of Liberty, with drawn sword and driving out, with the eagle at her left, Tyranny or Royalty; Minerva, teaching the arts and sciences; Ceres, goddess of the Harvest; Vulcan, the Olympian mechanic; Neptune, the god of Ocean with his trident; and Mercury, the spirited messenger of the gods.
Other decorations of Brumidi's in the Capitol, executed during the more than twenty years of his work there, are the decorations of the President's room; Cornwallis Suing for the Cessation of Hostilities, in the hall of the House of Represen- tatives; decorations in the room of the House Post-office and Post Roads Committee; decorations in the Senate Committee Room of Appropriations; and those in the room of the Senate Committee on the District of Columbia.
As the Government has spent more than $150,000 on art in the interior of the Capitol, there is painting, sculpture, carving, fresco to be seen in all directions. The Battle of Lake Erie, by W. H. Powell, hangs above a staircase landing in the Senate wing of the building and represents Oliver II. Perry just before leaving the flagship Lawrence. On the wall opposite this picture, but higher, is The Recall of Columbus, by A. G. Heaton, bought by the Government in 1884.
Above another stairway landing in this wing is the Battle of Chapaultepec, by James Walker, representing a scene in that battle.
The President's room in the Senate wing is the most elabor- ately decorated of any room in the building, the work being, as before stated, by Brumidi.
The Vice-President's room is also beautifully decorated and in it hangs Charles Wilson Peale's Washington, said by some to be the best portrait of the First President in existence.
The bronze doors of the Senate wing were designed by Crawford and the plaster cast made in this country. The work was done in Chicopee, Massachusetts, by James T. Ames, in 1868.
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The two well known paintings by Thomas Moran, of the Grand Canon of the Yellowstone and a Chasm of the Colorado, are much admired by visitors.
The Electoral Commission, by Cornelia Adele Fassett, is an interesting portrait picture, painted from the commissioners in 1877-1878 .; It portrays the presentation of the Florida Case, as it was known, by fifteen committeemen, five of whom were members of the Supreme Court, five of the Senate and five of the House of Representatives, to decide the validity of the electoral votes of Florida, Louisiana, Oregon and South Carolina.
Opposite this hangs a very different picture, showing the fight between the monitor and the Merrimac in Hampton Roads,
Statues and busts are scattered about, notably that of John Hancock, first signer of the Declaration of Independence and Benjamin Franklin, by Powers; busts of numerous presidents, statesmen, etc., all worthy of note. Other notable portraits in the Senate wing are Gilbert Stuart's Washington; John Adams, copied by Andrews from the original of Stuart; Sully's Thomas Jefferson ; Matthews' Patrick Henry ; and H. F. Darby's Daniel Webster, Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun.
One of the best portraits in the building hangs in the Supreme Court room and is that of the first Chief-Justice of the United States, John Jay, in his old-fashioned gown. The picture is a copy by Gray of Gilbert Stuart's original.
There are two interesting mosaics of the martyr Presidents, Lincoln and Garfield, made by Salviati, of Florence, Italy, who presented the portraits to the United States Government.
The south wing, that of the House of Representatives, has its art treasures also. Here are frescoes, oil-paintings, sculpture and carving. Many portraits of members have been given prominent space, and some splendid large paintings are to be seen. Of these, "Westward the Course of Empire takes its Way," by the German artist Emanuel Leutz, is a striking scene of early Western emigrants.
On another staircase landing is the "Signing of the Procla- mation of Emancipation," by Frank Carpenter. The history of this picture is very interesting, as Mr. Carpenter spent the
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months of its execution in the White House, where he had free access to the President and studied him in all moods, attitudes, expressions, etc. In telling of this experience the artist said: "I intently studied every line and shade of expression in that furrowed face. In repose, it was the saddest face I ever knew."
The completed painting was pronounced by President Lin- coln "as good as can be made," and was afterward bought for $25,000, by Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson, who presented it to Congress.
A marble statue of Thomas Jefferson by Powers, is in this wing, a companion to the Franklin in the Senate wing and cost $10,000, as did also Franklin.
The famous full-length painting of Washington by Vander- lyn is on one side of the Speaker's chair in the Hall of Repre- sentatives, and that of Lafayette, presented to the United States by Lafayette during his last visit to this country, on the other side.
The old Hall of Representatives, used by the House from 1807 to 1857, excepting for the period just succeeding the burn- ing of the Capitol by the British, is, now used as a Hall of Statuary. It was set apart by act of Congress for this purpose in July, 1864. Here each State is allowed the privilege of plac- ing two monuments, the selections to be the choice of the States.
Novelists, poets, philosophers, geographers, geologists, zoologists, botanists, astronomers, mathematicians, scientists of every description, tacticians, financiers, sociologists, metaphysi- cians, religionists, journalists and historians, whom it would be almost impossible to name, have written in Washington; and among the scientists and historians especially are to be num- bered many of the country's greatest names.
One of the earliest books printed in Washington was Sam- uel Blodget's "Thoughts on the Increasing Wealth and National Economy of the United States." This is believed to be the first book on economics written in America.
Histories of Washington have been written from time to time since a few years after its beginning. The earliest of these known was written by Tobias Lear, who wrote in 1793, "Obser-
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vations on the River Potomack, the County Adjacent and the City of Washington."
In 1816, David B. Warden wrote a "Description of the District of Columbia." This comprehensive little volume was written while he was consulate in Paris, France, and published in that city. Europeans, curious about the new Federal City, read the book with interest, and America gave it a warm wel- come. The writer gave a history of the foundation of the city, its early settlement and later growth.
In 1822, a directory of Washington was published by Judah Delano, which contained an alphabetical list of names of Wash- ington residents, the members of Congress, with their residences.
Jonathan Elliot, in 1830, published a little history of "The T'en Mile Square," and it, like its predecessor by Warden, has been a mine for local historians ever since.
Besides "The Ten Mile Square," Jonathan Elliot served his own and future time well by compiling numerous volumes on political and economic science.
"A Picture of Washington," by George Watterston was published in 1841 and the following year the same author pub- lished "A Guide to Washington." Mr. Watterston was Librarian of Congress from 1815 to 1829.
One of the most thorough and entertaining of the annalists of events connected with the origin and development of the Na- tional Capitol, is Mr. Wilhelmus B. Bryan, whose narratives cover almost every phase of the subject.
Mr. Hugh T. Taggart, has also contributed with skill and profusion to preserve the facts and traditions which are of lead- ing interest and value on the same topic.
Francis Scott Key, author, of "The Star Spangled Ban- ner," was a resident of the District of Columbia for many years and was recognized as a lawyer of great ability and force.
Peter Force, already mentioned as the forceful mayor and friend of Washington, prepared or preserved nine folios of the American Archives and many other historical records, which would otherwise have been lost or at least much scattered.
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Anne Royal, while figuring chiefly as a journalist, wrote ten volumes of her travels in the United States.
In 1843 Anthony Reintzel compiled and published "The Washington Directory and Governmental Register," a valuable register and reference help of its day.
Another "Picture of Washington," appeared in 1845, writ- ten by William Q. Force, containing short sketches of interest- ing features in and about Washington, and having attached at the back, a Washington guide.
Another Washington directory was published in 1846 by John T. Towers, containing more than any previous publica- tion of the sort, and in 1850 Edward Waite published "The Washington Directory and Congressional and Executive Regis- ter. "
Joseph B. Varnum published in 1848, "The Seat of Govern- ment of the United States," another valuable little book to historians and readers.
Robert Walsh, whom George A. Townsend said was perhaps "the founder of review literature in America," grew up in Georgetown and Washington.
Joel Barlow, author of "The Columbiad," an epic which won fame for its author, lived for several years in the District, and built the famous home known as Kalorama.
Several who had studied the Indians in their native ways of living, and recorded their savage customs, lived here, notably among them, Schoolcraft, Stanley and Catlin.
In 1857 Colonel John S. Williams published a "History of the Invasion and Capture of Washington," his object being to vindicate the Americans for their defeat at Bladensburg in 1814.
John Burroughs, the great nature lover and nature writer lived here and wrote here for years. Many of his later writings seem imbued with the atmosphere of Nature as manifested in the District of Columbia, and in the adjacent Virginia and Mary- land hills. Another of Nature's loving sons, and whom we think of so often in connection with Burroughs, was Joaquin Miller, who also wrote several of his books here.
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It was here too that Harriet Beecher Stowe's famous novel, "Uncle Tom's Cabin," first appeared, in The National Intelli- gencer.
Walt Whitman was once a Government clerk in the office of the Attorney-general, and produced several of his works dur- ing that time.
George Bancroft, the historian, lived and wrote here many years. In 1845 he was Secretary of the Navy under President Polk. To him is due credit for the establishment of the Naval Academy at Annapolis. He died in Washington in 1891, at the advanced age of ninety years.
Ainsworth R. Spofford, was Librarian of Congress for many years. His pen was prolific, despite the arduous duties of his position. For many years Mr. Spofford edited "The American Almanac and Treasury of Facts," and among his writings are "The Higher Law Tried by Reason and Authority;" "The Founding of Washington, with Considerations on the Origin of Cities and Location of National Capitals."
Richard P. Jackson published "The Chronicles of George- town, District of Columbia."
George W. Sampson wrote, among other things, "Elements of Art Criticism," a voluminous and comprehensive history of art.
Charles Lanman wrote many books of travel and biography.
General Albert Pike, who lived here several years, was a poet of ability, a journalist of wide experience, and wrote several books on Freemasonry and Law.
Dr. Joseph M. Toner wrote a number of histories and scientific books, besides several volumes of lectures.
Helen C. Weeks wrote many stories for children, winning a name surpassed by few other juvenile writers.
Henry Barnard was an educational writer of note.
George Alfred Townsend, an extensive traveler, contributed to many newspapers and magazines, wrote stories, poems and a history of the Capital called "Washington, Outside and Inside."
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Benjamin J. Lovejoy wrote here "The Life of Francis Bacon." "
Frederick Douglas, the celebrated negro orator who lived in Washington several years, wrote "My Bondage and My Free- dom."
Ben Perley Poore, an early journalist in Washington, wrote "The Rise and Fall of Louis Philippe," and "Reminiscences of Sixty Years."
Charles D. Drake and Charles Nordhoff wrote socialistic and historical books.
George E. Harris, a Mississippian who lived in Washington many years, has written histories of numerous laws, law books and many other things.
William T. Harris wrote educational and philosophic books and "The Spiritual Sense of Dante's 'Divina Commedia.' " Edward A. Fay wrote a concordance to the works of Dante.
Thomas Nelson Page, the well-known novelist and writer of Southern life, has spent a large part of his life in Washing- ton and has written many of his books here.
Ella Lorraine Dorsey has numerous entertaining volumes and sketches to her credit.
George L. Raymond wrote many books on the fine arts and Charles W. Stoddard wrote here many of the fascinating narra- tives of his extensive travels.
Elizabeth B. Johnston wrote "Original Portraits of Wash- ington," "Washington Day by Day," besides many stories and sketches.
William L. Shoemaker wrote a book on "The Indian Weed," poems and stories.
Mrs. E. D. E. N. Southworth, a novelist widely read in her day, was a native of Washington and spent most of her life, which was a long one, in the District. It is said that her story "Retribution," published in 1843, was the first serial story written in America. For many years she wrote for the Saturday Evening Post, her stories running its subscription up from twelve hundred to thirty thousand. She wrote, it is said, an average of a novel a year for every year of her life.
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Mary Clemmer, poet and journalist, a well-beloved writer of her day, wrote "Ten Years in Washington."
Henry B. F. Macfarland, the noted journalist and orator, has contributed much to general literature.
Henry Litchfield West, is regarded as the most accom- plished political analyst of his time, as well as a writer of excel- lence generally.
Harriet T. Upton wrote "Our Early Presidents" and other books.
Isabella Alden, known as "Pansy," wrote many of her well-known and broadly read books in Washington.
Alexander Graham Bell has been a writer as well as inventor. Some of his works are: "Upon the Production of Sound by Radiant Energy," and several treatises upon the care and training of deaf mutes.
Edward M. Gallaudet, who came to Washington in 1857 to take charge of the Columbian Institute for the Deaf, Dumb and Blind, wrote "The Combined System of Educating the Deaf;" "International Ethics;" and "Manual of International Law."
Alice C. Fletcher wrote "Studies of Indian Music," and other Indian books.
Jeremiah Curtin did much of his translating and other writing in Washington.
W. W. Rockhill wrote of his extensive travels in the East, and "Life of Buddha."
"Recollections of Men and Things in Washington," by Louis A. Gobright is an interesting book by an observant man who was one of the journalists closely associated with President Lincoln. Noah Brooks, another journalist who was not only associated with President Lincoln, but was his friend, wrote, many years after the President's decease, "Washington in Lincoln's Time," gathered from his own observations while resident here.
Notably among the many other lives written of Lincoln, is one by Nicolay and Hay, both John G. Nicolay and John Hay having been residents of Washington. These men were engaged
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fifteen years in writing this book, their researches being very extensive. Both of these writers did much other excellent liter- ary work.
Charles Lanman, who was private secretary to Daniel Web- ster, wrote a life of the great New Hampshire statesman. He also wrote of life in Japan, illustrated with his own sketches and prepared the first "Dictionary of Congress."
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