1856-04-01 Winthrop Statue: Copy of letter from Jacob Bigelow to Richard S. Greenough, 1831.039.007-003

copy to R.S. Greenough Apr. 1856

Copy

To RS Greenough) Boston April 1 1856

My dear sir

I have duly received your two letters from Paris of Jany 21 & March 9th.

The pedestals have not yet arrived, but no doubt we may expect them soon.

I am gratified with the report of the successful progress of the Winthrop Statue, & have no doubt that it will do equal honor to the sculptor and the original. The latter probably never dreamt that his posthumous character was to be sustained by such able hands.

The colored panes are removed from the end windows of the chapel, & also from the clerestory, replacing them with white glass except in the two large windows which being deeply recessed, do not strike the statues with their light.

I think when the plaster statue is complete, you had better send to Mr Curtis (or whoever is your correspondent here) a draft for the sum to which you are entitled by contract (say $1500.) payable in 3 days from sight, & drawn on George W. Bond, Treasurer of Mount Auburn Cemetery. For the satisfaction of the Trustees you had better accompany your own announcement with the voucher--

of some well known Bostonian, or of the American Consul, that the plaster statue of full size is complete. The vouching party may at the same time witness its conveyance to the Trustees.

I saw lately in the papers that the casting of the Franklin Statue is successfully completed. Mr Winthrop spoke to me about fixing the time of its inauguration.

Please learn from Mr Rogers when we may expect to hear from him. I like his design very much, unless perhaps it should turn out that there is more force than grace in the attitude of the head. But I have so much confidence in his own taste and judgement, that I should by no means presume to interfere in the "properties" of which he is so good a judge.

I hear nothing from Mr Crawford since his acceptance of our commission for James Otis. Can you learn from him when we may expect his valuable attention to the subject.

We are ready to execute his contract, similar to your own & Mr Rogers' either of which can be copied. I have not written to him a second time, having heard some rumours of his intending to visit this country ere long.

Very truly & sincerely yrs

Jacob Bigelow