38 



ing terms, shall be deposited, and protected against, the severe climate of 

 these latitudes. The structure should be built upon a plan best adapted 

 to the particular objects in view, and sufficiently capacious to afford 

 room for a public exhibition similar to the one I have proposed for the 

 Smithsonian Institution. If my suggestion be listened to, or thought 

 practicable, by those whom it concerns, we shall then possess in our 

 midst a great public temple of the fine arts, devoted to their encourage- 

 ment, by the purchase of paintings and sculpture commemorative of our 

 Revolutionary and subsequent history, and the reproduction upon can- 

 vass of the features of our own varied and picturesque land. Already 

 a respectable sum of money has been voted, and part of the same paid 

 over, to the several artists for the perpetuation of scenes connected with 

 the early history of this Republic. What, then, prevents Congress 

 from continuing this praiseworthy patronage of the arts, so that events 

 still more interesting to this generation, if possible, shall find men to 

 give them "a local habitation and a name?" What has once been 

 done may be done again ; and shame on the man who would be silly 

 and niggard enough to raise a hue and cry about the employment of 

 the people's money on works of taste and for the benefit of native 

 talent, when not an hour goes by but thousands are wasted upon 

 "things as light as air," and from which the gulled people get no kind 

 of benefit whatever. We do not ask you to erect a costly and magnifi- 

 cent structure, but simply to furnish the necessary funds for the con- 

 struction of a modest though tasty gallery, which may prove a decent 

 refuge for the statue of the Father of his Country and the works of Per- 

 sico, around which shall be grouped, from time to time, the busts and 

 statues of our national celebrities, dead and living, while on its walls 

 shall be suspended the productions of native and foreign artists. If 

 Congress only take this subject seriously and understandingly in hand, 

 my word for it, plans enough will be presented to allow them abundant 

 choice, and room to consult a wise economy, without violating the rules 

 of taste. But do, gentlemen, at all events, rescue our WASHINGTON 

 from his present ugly and unseemly place of concealment, if you wish 

 to claim any credit for good sense and good taste, and to deserve well 

 of the Republic ! 



By this public and private patronage of taste and genius, the so oft- 

 repeated and affecting story of the sufferings of their devotees will be at 

 least rendered less applicable to this country. Within the genial atmos. 

 phere of that generous encouragement, worthy successors and rivals of 



