168 Transactions op the 



first premiums), hereby most respectfully file our claim for the gold 

 medal, and base our claim ou the following facts: 



First — All work exhibited by us is of our own manufacture, and has 

 been under the direction of no other person. 



Second — That after due consideration for business we will abundantly 

 prove that our sole aim has always been to perfect and elevate our busi- 

 ness in California by trying to emulate the most celebrated sculptors, 

 and by creating a friendly rivalry among other manufacturers. 



Third — That our large monument built of Italian blue or veined 

 marble is of the highest standard of architectural beauty and finish, 

 and is also of original design, the product of our own brains. That we 

 will pit the aforesaid piece of workmanship against anything of marble 

 work of its nature in the State. Its style of architecture is the Ionic, 

 though somewhat relieved by a composite architecture greatly light- 

 ening the brilliancy and effect of its appearance. Its projections are so 

 accurate, and the relieved work so small and fine, that we claim for it 

 the name of "masterpiece." We began this piece of work in March 

 last, expecting to have more competitors, and advance the idea that 

 inasmuch as that the work was executed solely with a view to competi- 

 tion and not for merchandise, our claim is thereby enhanced. The cost 

 of labor upon it was seven hundred dollars. 



Fourth — Our Gothic tombstone, with shield and wreath of flowers, we 

 claim to be as true to nature as any that can be hewn from marble in 

 this or any other country. The wreath consists of an interlaced circle 

 of immortelles and lilies (a peculiar^ difficult flower to cut), and is 

 finished in the highest style of art. 



Fifth — Our scroll, with sleeping infant, is, from the very peculiar 

 nature of the material from which it is cut, a most praiseworthy produc- 

 tion. We append the following extract from the Sacramento Reporter of 

 April eighteenth last: 



"In dropping into the marble works of the Devine Brothers we were 

 highly pleased by the inspection of a sleeping baby on couch, by the 

 beautiful proportion of the limbs and accuracy of expression, which 

 makes it compare favorably with the best masters, and was executed by 

 Mr. J. C. Devine's own hand, as an actual occurrence." 



Sixth — Our modern style chimney piece and mantel is cut from Italian 

 statuary marble, and is provided with side trusses; on each front side is 

 cut a fruit piece in bold relief, surrounded and entwined with the grape- 

 vine and leaf, which for accuracy and perfect finish we challenge the 

 Pacific Coast. 



Seventh — This statuette, strictly speaking, comes under the head of 

 the sixth department, and we trust will serve to show what care and 

 time, combined with genius, may do. It is an allegorical representation 

 of Virtue and Innocence, and fearing that in describing it we would 

 ©verstep the bounds of modesty, we most respectfully ask that, if con- 

 sistent with convenience, the committee will call upon us at our works 

 and examine it in person. 



Eighth — We are young mechanics who, in an honorable desire to excel, 

 have given our care, time, and means for the advancement of our busi- 

 ness on this coast, and hope by your encouragement to persevere until 

 it shall be truly said California excels in marble work and statuary, as 



