French Artists

I would add L'Enfant's relationship with John Trumbull. Both were classmates at the Royal Academy. The two artists met at Suter's Tavern as well. The tavern was also used as the Georgetown masonic lodge during this period.

Posted by Edward Connery (guest) on Sun 31 Jan 2010 03:13:44 PM UTC

President Washington Commisions L'Enfant

Major L'Enfant was connected to General Lafayette. He was also one of the few foreign members of the Society of the Cincinnati. He gained artistic mastery at the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture. The details of what President Washington discussed with L'Enfant at Suter's Tavern is what I want to know. His letter to Jefferson gives some insight.

"I had the satisfaction to see the little I had done agreeable to his wish - and the confidence with which he has been pleased since to honor me in ordering the survey to be continued and the delineation of the grand plan for the local distribution of the city, to be done on principle conformable to the ideas which I took the liberty to hold before him.

Posted by Luke (guest) on Sun 31 Jan 2010 02:34:08 AM UTC

Goethe Masonic Poem

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Mason Lodge

The Mason's ways are
A type of Existance
And his persistance
Is as the days are
Of men in this world.

The future hides in it
Gladness and sorrow,
We press still thorow,
Naught that abides in it
Daunting us-onward.

And solemn before us
Veiled, the dark Portal,
Goal of all mortal;
Stars silent o'er us,
Graves under us silent.

While earnest thou gazest
Comes boding of terror,
Comes phantasm and error
Perplexes the bravest
With doubt and misgiving.

But heard are the Voices-
Heard are the Sages,
The Worlds and the Ages;
"Choose well; your choice is
"Brief and yet endless;

"Here eyes do regard you
"In Eternity's stillness;
"Here is all fullness,
"Ye have, to reward you.
"Work, and dispair not."

Posted by Jeremiah (guest) on Sat 30 Jan 2010 09:56:13 PM UTC

A Talisman

Very insightful. But, the truth is not quite evident. This pentacle was made to protect America from evil chances and events.

Posted by Ruach Elohim (guest) on Sat 30 Jan 2010 04:45:30 PM UTC

Goethe the Mason

February 13, 1780, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote a letter to Privy Councillor, J. F. von Fritsch, at that time Worshipful Master of Lodge Amalia:

"Your Excellency:

"I take the liberty of importuning you with a request. For a long time I have had occasion to wish that I might belong to the Society of Freemasons: this desire became very strong during our journey. It is only on this score that I have missed the opportunity of walking in closer union with persons whom I have learned to respect. It is the social feeling alone which leads me to seek for admission. To whom could I better entrust this matter, than to your Excellency? I await the kindly guidance of what you advise in this matter. I await, moreover, your gracious hints, and sign myself respectfully, Your Excellency's "Obedient servant, Goethe."

Posted by Freigan (guest) on Sat 30 Jan 2010 04:34:40 PM UTC

Goethe's insight

I think it is remarkable that Goethe foretold the growth of The United States, the settlement of California, and the construction of the Panama canal.

Posted by August (guest) on Sat 30 Jan 2010 04:19:16 PM UTC

America, You've Got it Better

America, You've Got it Better
By Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Translation by Daniel Platt

America, you've got it better
Than our old continent. Exult!
You have no decaying castles
And no basalt.
Your heart is not troubled,
In lively pursuits,
By useless old remembrance
And empty disputes

So use the present day with luck!
And when your child a poem writes,
Protect him, with his skill and pluck,
From tales of bandits, ghosts and knights.

Posted by Jeremiah (guest) on Sat 30 Jan 2010 03:52:03 PM UTC

I'd pay $1000 a week just to sit and stare at those cheeks! Yum --EEE.

Posted by RK (guest) on Fri 29 Jan 2010 07:35:27 AM UTC

Floral Design reality Competition

Ms. Clarke,

We are casting a floral design reality competition (like Top chef with flowers) for one of the MTV Networks. We would like to discuss the possibility of you being a part of our judging panel. Please contact me at floral.design.show@gmail.com.

Thank you,
David Stanley
The Arrangement

Posted by David Stanley (guest) on Thu 28 Jan 2010 08:58:12 PM UTC

My Beautiful Jane

This tree has done so well for me and I can barely keep up with all the little sprouts. People park in front and pick flowers... I'm now growing these with hopes of bringing more beauty to this world.

Posted by Bob G. (guest) on Wed 27 Jan 2010 03:59:06 PM UTC