POWERS'S STATUE OF CALHOUN.--An unfortunate fatality appears to wait
upon the works of Hiram Powers. It is but a few weeks since his "Eve"
was lost on the coast of Spain, and it is still uncertain here whether
that exquisite statue is preserved without such injury as materially
to affect its value. And his masterpiece in history--perhaps his
masterpiece in all departments--the statue of Calhoun, which has been
so anxiously looked-for ever since the death of the great senator, was
buried under the waves in which Madame d'Ossoli and Horace Sumner were
lost, on the morning of the 19th, near Fire Island. At the time this
sheet is sent to press we are uncertain as to the recovery of the
statue, but we hope for the sake of art and for the satisfaction of
all the parties interested, that it will still reach its destination.
It is insured in Charleston, and Mr. Kellogg, the friend and agent
of Mr. Powers, has been at the scene of the misfortune, with all
necessary means for its preservation, if that be possible.
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HORACE VERNET, the great painter, has returned to Paris from St.
Petersburgh. Offensive reports were current respecting his journey: he
had been paid, it was alleged, in most princely style by the Emperor,
for his masterly efforts in translating to canvas the principal
incidents of the Hungarian and Polish wars. He came back, it was
declared, loaded and content, with a hundred thousand dollars and a
kiss--an actual kiss--from his Imperial Majesty. M. Vernet has deemed
it necessary to publish a letter, correcting what was erroneous in
these reports. He says:--"In repairing to Russia I was actuated by
only one desire, and had but a single object, and that was, to thank
His Majesty, the Emperor, for the honors with which he had already
loaded me, and for the proofs of his munificence which I had
previously received. I intended to bring back, and in fact have
brought back from the journey, nothing but the satisfaction of having
performed an entirely disinterested duty of respectful gratitude." It
is true, however, that he lent his powers to illustrate the triumph of
despotism, and if he brought back no gold the matter is not all helped
by that fact.
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