STATUE OF GEN. HAMILTON, out of the rude block of the quarry! To accomplish

MERCHANTS' EXCHANGE, NEW-YORK.

it, must be the attribute of that high order of genius
to which we may apply the adage, nascitur, non fit.
Of this order we may class Mr. Ball Hughes of this
city, to whose skilful hand the country is indebted
for this magnificent production. For him, the statue
of Hamilton speaks higher and more endearing en-
comiums than the most lavish praise.
on this statue, or the monument of Bishop Hobart
in Trinity Church, or the busts of Edward Livings-
ton and others, is to be convinced of his superiour
talents..

To look

The statue of Hamilton was chiselled from a solid block of white Italian marble, weighing nine tons; was about two years in the hands of the artist, and

WHATEVER may hitherto have been the obstacles in this new country to the successful cultivation of the fine arts, it is a matter of congratulation that they are now rapidly yielding to the triumphs of genius; and that every day is developing new evidence that we have the capacity within us of assuming, in any department of the fine arts, a rank equal to the most liberal and polished nations in the world. No nation is before us in useful inventions; none can excel us for a great length of time in the fine arts. A few years ago, and a painter could scarcely procure a respectable livelihood by his profession amongst us, and not a specimen of native sculpture was to be found in the land. Now, we have academies of paint-weighs now one and a half tons. It is purely white, ers, and the finest productions of their art adorn al- highly finished, and finely contrasts with the blue most every dwelling; and we are introducing the granite pedestal on which it stands, fourteen feet noblest works of the chisel to grace and dignify our high. It adorns the centre of the great room in the publick buildings. The fine arts go hand in hand Merchants' Exchange, where it was first exposed to with each other, and, with the exception of garden-view about the middle of April last. It was erected ing, which is yet pursued amongst us mostly as a useful art, we are making honourable attainments in all their branches. They require but the fostering hand of affluence and taste, to raise them to a stand beyond the reach of envy or cavil. But at present, we will direct our attention to the beautiful, the no-who can surpass this work," ble, the wonderful art of sculpture.

by the merchants of the city, at a cost of 6000 to 8000 dollars. We are happy to coincide with Col. Trumbull in this matter, in thinking that "there are very few pieces of statuary in Europe superiour to this, and not twenty-five sculptors in the universe

As germane to this notice of the statue, we have annexed below a succinct biography of the great original, with a view of his monument.

BIOGRAPHY.

At

ALEXANDER HAMILTON was born in the island of Nevis, in 1757. He accompanied his mother to New York at the age of sixteen, and entered Columbia College as a student, where he remained three years. He early evinced fine talents, and his juvenile pen asserted the claims of the colonies against respectable writers in the contest with Great Britain. the age of eighteen he entered the army as an officer of artillery. He soon attracted the notice of Washington, who selected him as an aid with the rank of lieutenant colonel, in 1777. He commanded a battalion of light infantry, throughout the war, which terminated in the capture of Cornwallis. He led the advanced corps of the American troops at his own request, when they carried the British works at the siege of Yorktown, Oct. 14, 1781.

If any specimen of statuary can impress the beholder with exalted ideas of the art of sculpture, it is the statue of Alexander Hamilton. To look upon it, is to see Hamilton himself; and to feel almost conscious that we are in his living presence. When we disburthen ourselves of the impression that it is he, the mind is filled with admiration at the triumph of that noble art that can make the marble almost warm with life. There stands the form of Hamilton in majesty, yet repose; there is the broad and noble forehead, the majestick and thoughtful brow, the free, intelligent, commanding eye; you almost perceive the temples throb, you mark every line of feature, and every expression of countenance. The limbs and form are chastely imagined, and the whole is invested with dignity and grace, eloquence and power. The Roman toga hangs gracefully over the left shoulder; the right hand, resting upon an oblong, polished pedestal, holds a scroll, which may represent the act empowering the funding of the national debt, with the seal of government appended; the left arm hangs gracefully by his side. It is almost a speaking sta- After the capture of Cornwallis, he returned to tue; beautiful in design, and wonderful in the exe- New York and applied himself to the study of the cution, which has carried the minutest parts to ex- law. In this profession he soon rose to distinction, traordinary perfection. What a powerful concep- and in July, 1792, was chosen a member of Congress. tion, strong imagination, discriminating taste, excel- He was chairman of the committee, which reported lent judgment, and skilful hand, must distinguish the a resolution to provide a sinking fund to pay the naartist who can chisel such a “human form divine”tional debt. In 1786 he was chosen a member of

the Assembly of New York, and he introduced the use of any expression derogatory to the honour of bill for acceding to the assumed independence of the former. This demand was deemed inadmissible, Vermont. He was appointed, with two others, in and a duel was the consequence. The parties met 1787, a member of the Federal Convention for New at Hoboken, July 11th, and Hamilton fell, on the York, and assisted in framing the Constitution of the same spot where his son a few years before had United States. "It did not, indeed, completely meet fallen, in obedience to the same principle of honour, his wishes. He was afraid that it did not contain and in violation of both Divine and human law. He sufficient means of strength, for its own preservation, was carried into the city, and died the next day, July and that in consequence we should share the fate of 12th, 1804, aged about 47. He assured Bishop many other republicks, and pass through anarchy to | Moore, who administered to him the communion, despotism. He was in favour of a more permanent that, if restored to health, he would never again be Executive and Senate. He wished for a strong government, which would not be shaken by the conflict of different interests through an extensive territory, and which should be adequate to all the forms of national exigency." But he believed it better than the old confederation, and contributed much to its adoption. In 1789, Washington placed him at the head Hamilton's works have been collected and pubof the Treasury. In his reports he proposed plans lished in three volumes, and his biography has refor funding the debt of the Union, and for assuming cently been written by his son. He published the the debts of the respective states, for establishing a letters of Phocion in favour of the loyalists, in two bank and mint, and for procuring a revenue. Many pamphlets, 1784. The Federalist was written by of them are very voluminous, and display great pow-him, in conjunction with Mr. Jay and Mr. Madison. ers of mind. Some of them are preserved in the It is said that Hamilton wrote all the numbers of American Museum. that work, excepting 2, 3, 4, 5, and 64, which were

engaged in a similar transaction, but would employ all his influence to discountenance the barbarous custom of duelling. He disavowed all intention of taking the life of Col. Burr, and declared his abhorrence of the whole proceeding. Like his antagonist, he was small in person and short in stature.

ouring to prove that John Adams was unworthy a re-election to the presidential chair, and several other political documents, and a defence of himself against the charge of peculation while Secretary of the Treasury.

A monument is erected to his memory in Trinity Church yard, and is sufficiently illustrated by the engraving p. 44. It bears on the north side the following inscription :--

Mr. Hamilton, and Mr. Jefferson, then Secretary written by Mr. Jay; and 10, 14, 17, 18, 19, 21, of State, were opposed to each other in politicks. 37 to 58 inclusive, 62 and 63, which were from the The former apprehended danger from the encroach-pen of Mr. Madison. In 1793 he wrote papers signment of the states, and wished to consolidate the ge-ed Pacificus, justifying the proclamation of neutralineral government; the latter entertained little jea-ty, and supporting the coalition of the European lousy of the state sovereignties, and was rather de-powers against France. He wrote a letter, endeavsirous of checking and limiting the exercise of the national authorities, particularly the power of the executive. Their disagreement increased till it resulted in such open hostility, and made such confusion in the cabinet, that Washington found it necessary to address a letter to each, recommending forbearance and moderation. No reconciliation could be effected. In his opinion, as to the effect of the revolution in France in 1793 upon our relations with that country, he was opposed by both Washington and Jefferson. By the latter it was deemed not to weaken the obligation of treaties. In 1794 a detachment was sent out under Hamilton's command to suppress the insurrection in Pennsylvania. In 1795 he resigned his office. Soon after this period, circunstances were disclosed which placed his private character in no unequivocal light. When a provisional army was raised in 1798, he was made second in command, Washington being at the head. After the army was discharged in the summer of 1800, he returned again to his profession in the city of New York, where he passed the remainder of his life.

Col. Aaron Burr, Vice President of the United States, in June, 1804, addressed a letter to Hamilton, requiring his acknowledgment or denial of the

TO THE MEMORY OF

ALEXANDER HAMILTON,
The Corporation of Trinity Church have erected this

MONUMENT,

In testimony of their respect

FOR

The Patriot of incorruptible integrity,
The Soldier of approved valour,
The Statesman of consummate wisdom;
Whose talents and virtues will be admired

BY

Grateful posterity

Long after this marble shall have mouldered into dust.

He died July 12th, 1804, aged 47.

yo vas to castion of his poems, the progress of the Greeks in arts and literature was effectually secured.

Lycurgus, by his peculiar institutions, raised Sparta from a weak and distracted state, to superiority in arms over and other republicks of Greece Sparta became truly republican in its government, though the form of royalty was retained. Its kings were merely the first citizens in the state, and acknowledged the superiour authority of the Ephori and the people, to whom they were accountable. Their privileges, however, sufficiently distinguished them from the mass of the citizens.

With many things in his institutions that were commendable, there was much that was pernicious. His sole object seems to have been, to render the Spartans fit only for war. The chronological date of the commencement of this reformation, is 884 years B. C. flabs od blmyla poids

After the return of the Heraclidæ, Sparta was divided between the two sons of Aristodemus, Eurysthenes and Procles who reigned jointly. The occasion of this was, that Aristodemus having been killed while his children were infants, their mother was unable to tell which of them was the firstborn. since they were twins. The Spartans consequently agreed that they should be joint kings.

This double monarchy continued in the one line under 30 kings, and in the other line under 27 kings," during a period of about 880 years. Polydectes and Lycurgus were the sons of one of these kings. Upon the death of his brother, the crown devolved on Lycurgus; but his sister-in-law being with child, he resigned it.

She however intimated to Lycurgus that if he would marry her, the child should be destroyed immediately upon its birth. Lycurgus, with a view to save it, desired that she would send it to him, and he would dispose of it. Accordingly, the boy, as soon as he was born, was sent to his uncle.

Greece, at the commencement of the present period, was in an unsettled state. By the emigration of many of its inhabitants, colonies had been formed, particularly in Lesser Asia. Afterwards colonies were sert to Italy and Sicily. These, owing to the Lycurgus was at supper with a large party when freedom of their governments, soon rivalled their the royal infant arrived, but he instantly took it in parent states; a circumstance which induced the his arms, and holding it to the view of the company, latter to put an end to despotism, and to adopt pop-exclaimed, " Spartans behold your king." The ular constitutions. In this work of reformation, Ly- people were delighted, and the boy was called curgus, the legislator of Sparta, was distinguished. Charilaus. . It may be mentioned, in connexion with this subject, and previously to an account of the reformation of Sparta, that the poems of Homer were introduced from Asia into Greece by Lycurgus. He met with them in his travels in that region, carefully preserved them, and brought them home on his return, 886 years B. C. Their effect on the national spirit and literature of the Greeks, was at length highly propitious.

Lycurgus, with a view to suppress the calumnies published against him by the faction of the queen, determined upon a voluntary exile. In his travels, he made it an object to acquire knowledge, and especially to ascertain the best means of government. It was during this journey that he discovered the poems of Homer, as abovementioned.

Upon his recall to Sparta, he found things in so bad a condition, that he set about a reformation of the manners of the people. He began his labours by instituting a senate to make laws, and see that they were executed; this senate was composed of 30 members, the kings being of the number.

Homer flourished about 900 years B. C. He was a poor blind man, and used to travel from place to place, singing his verses. But his genius was transcendent. All succeeding ages have bowed to it; and his poems have been taken as the model of all He next made an equal division of the lands, so epick productions of any note written since his day. that all the Spartans shared it fairly between them. The present form of his poems is supposed not to When he endeavoured to do the same with the furhave been the ancient form. They were probably niture, clothes, &c., he found the rich very averse produced in separate pieces and ballads; and were to his proposals. He therefore took another course. united into continuous poems, it is said, by certain He substituted iron for gold and silver, as the medilearned men under the direction of Pisistratus, king um of exchange. of Athens.

The era of Grecian splendour was several centucies after the time of Homer; but by the preserva

As this iron money was of no account among the neighbouring countries, the Spartans could no longer indulge in luxury, by purchasing foreign cosily arti