The Camden Journal

An Hour in the Studio of Mills.

At an early hour, I repaired to the Studio of Mr. Mills, in order to witness the advancement he had made upon his noble work of art, since I last saw it. The old General had now mounted, and for a moment I felt as if I really was in his presence. The horse, with all the looks of life and vigor, as if a thing of life, indeed, rearing as it impatient for the charge, while his rider was calm and self-collected, with a face in which the history of Jackson is written. There is no stronger argument in favor of physiognomy than this work. Mr. Mills never saw Jackson, but from his history he sketched a face which Jackson should have had, and those who recollect his features best, say that there never was such a fac simile. It is a complete, a glorious triumph of native genius leading art. It now remains to be cast in bronze from the canon taken by Jackson, many pieces of which I saw lying about. But the genius of Mr. Mills stops not there—he has invented a new furnace without a draught. Professors of Science laughed at the idea as utterly ridiculous—the other day, Mr. Mills invited them round to see the very species invention they had laughed at, in full operation. A greater heat is engendered with one tenth the fuel—the fuel is charred, and worth as much when it comes out as before it went in. We rung a bell of large dimensions, which Mr. Mills had cast in his new furnace, which I never heard equalled for strength and euphony of tone. I understand the Magnolia Seminary of South Carolina has made application for it, and I can assure them they should not fail to get it. I understand also, that our State it is probable, will employ Mr. Mills to erect a bronze statue of Mr. Calhoun. It is right—who so much deserves a statue? Who else should execute it?

P.

Washington City, May 28, 1850.