SPECIAL REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 153 



own personal experience ; the exj)erience of all artists is the same on 

 this point. 



" However, if despite this, the Board desires me to send them a sketch 

 I can do so ; but of coiirse, as I have stated, this will delay the statue 

 for a year, and I cannot see the advantage. 



" In fact, I have already made a sketch of the statue since I received 

 Mr. Morrill's communication. But I doubt whether it would mean as 

 much to you and to the Board of Eegents as it does to me ; whether you 

 would rightly understand it in its roughness, and whether you would not 

 look for that finish which no free sketch ought to have, and rather look 

 to details than to matters and balance of composition, which are the all 

 in all of a sketch. I say this because I know one case where a sketch 

 was rejected because the likeness in the face was not striking, as if any 

 true artist would, in a mere sketch, attempt exact portraiture of the face. 

 It would be equally good as to composition and design with no face at 

 all, if it had the just movement. 



" You say nothing as to details of the commission, or the size of the 

 statue, or the i)lace where it is to be erected, or its surroundings. Is it 

 to be in the open air, or under cover in the buildings ? Is its back- 

 ground trees, sky, or building ? All these are very important consider- 

 ations in view of its effect and of its size. 



" I take it for granted that the pedestal is to be a simple one, and not 

 to have illustrative bas-reliefs or figures, inasmuch as the sum appro- 

 priated for the whole thing is less, or certainly not more, than what is 

 ordinarily paid for a statue alone without pedestal or founcUition. I 

 also suppose by the reading of the act of Congress that this sum is to 

 cover the cost of the statue and "the entire expense of the foundation 

 and pedestal," and this is all. It does not, as I understand it, include 

 boxing, transportation, insurance, and placing, as they are distinctly 

 not mentioned. 



" Can you give me an estimate of the cost of making the foundation, 

 and approximate price of a simple pedestal executed in Washington, in 

 marble or red granite, or stone of any appropriate kind ? This would 

 guide me in determining where I should make the pedestal, whether 

 here or in Washington, and of what material. 



"As to the sum of $15,000 appropriated by Congress, does interest run 

 upon it from the date of the enactment f In regard to payment I sup- 

 pose you are aware that the ordinary rule is to advance to the artist 

 one-half the sum when the commission is given, or the work commenced, 

 to enable him to meet the necessary outlay and expenses, without re- 

 course to his own pocket. 



" I mention all these particulars in order to avoid all misunderstanding. 

 " I again recur to the question of time, and I earnestly hope that it will 

 be possible for the Board of llegents to arrange definitely this whole mat- 

 ter at a much earlier period than that mentioned in your letter, viz: 

 January 1, 1881, as it will involve the loss of a year. If I could have 



