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12.

workman - makes a mould on the clay figure with plaster of Paris, in numerous pieces, properly marked, which are afterwards put together.  Liquid plaster being now poured into the mould, [[strikethrough]] which [[/strikethrough]] it is rolled about, that the plaster may flow into every part, to form a sufficient incrustation. On removing the mould a beautiful white counterpart representation of the clay figure is obtained. This being in no danger of alteration by shrinking or cracking, enables the author to retouch and render it perfect at his leisure. It is the practice at Rome & Florence to pack up this plaster cast & send it to [[strikethrough]] Carara [[/strikethrough]] the quarries at Carara, where workman, well-instructed in drawing, anatomy & the use of the chisel, & with various mechanical aids, produces a perfect copy in fine marble. Sometimes the author may retouch it a little himself, but, [[strikethrough]] generally [[/strikethrough]] such is the perfection to which this art of copying is carried, that frequently he has nothing more to do with it. The statues composed by the celebrated Thorwaldssen at Rome for the King of Denmark, I have seen finished by the 

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by the workmen at Carara, without receiving a single touch from the chisel of [[strikethrough]] the Inventor [[/strikethrough]] Thorwaldssen. And yet Statues made in this manner are called originals, which, it must be [[strikethrough]] said [[/strikethrough]] acknowledged, is not strictly true - the clay being the original, & the Marble nothing more than a Copy from the plaster cast. I have been thus particular, with the hope of removing [[strikethrough]] something from [[/strikethrough]] a popular error, & to vindicate the merits of beautiful Casts, as far as form is concerned. Marble is preferable only from its more durable substance - its semi-transparency & less glaring whiteness. The Original can be but in one place, while the Casts, like the bounties of heaven, may be everywhere, & should not be the less valued because they may be more extensively enjoyed.

When we speak of modern improvements and facilities in the mechanical operations of Sculpture, it is worthy of notice that a method was invented in France by which a Statue or Bust can be copied with great accuracy, so that even the blind may [[strikethrough]] accomplish [[/strikethrough]] advance it nearly to a finish. I believe it was the invention of Mr. Bell, whose young Daughter I have seen executing