The Express.
London, England, 1855-08-28 00:00:00

INAUGURATION OF THE PEEL STATUE AT

BIRMINGHAM.

BIRMINGHAM, MONDAY.
The formal ceremony of inauguration of the etatue
of the late Sir Robert Peel took piece this morning in the
present* of at least fifteen thousand persons—as many, in
fact, as could Sad standing places near the spot. A few
minutes before twelve o'clock a procession, headed by the
Mayor and the Hon. and Rev. Grantham Yorke (chairmen
of the committee), proceeded to the site, and the ceremonial
commenced.
The statue, which Ili by Mr. Peter Hollins, aced cast by
Messrs. Paington sad Mason—the Int colossal work of
the kind ever produced In one piss* in Birmingham—is
in bronze, and stands eight feet and a half high. It
weighs upwards of a ton. In the casting three ;tons of
metal were run ; and in execution does every credit to the
reputation of this celebrated house. The statue is plead
upon a square pedestal of polished Peterhead granite, rod,
and warm in tone, and in beautiful harmony with the
bronze. There is a plinth also of polished granite, resting
upon a sub-pliaih of grey stone. The whole is placed upon
an octangular platform, from which the railings and lamps
spring. The total Leight from the platform to the top of the
statue will be about 20 feet. The pedestal is an 'imitable
piece of work, and somewhat colossal, the principal
slab weirs bing about four teas, and the whole about
ten. It is from the polished granite works of Mr. Alex.
Macdonald, Aberdeen, and does his establishment much
credit. The pedestal bears the simple inscription "Peel,"
in bronze. The statue will he pissed with the fees looking
down New. street.

The railing is in good keeping with the subject. Its bars
are designed after the antique wands of the " Heralds of
Peace," with the addition of clusters of wheat ears—indi-
cative of the deceased statesman's lest great act—the inter-
stices being prettily filled up by the introduction of poppies.
Four handsome lamp pillars of a decorauve character, in
keeping with the other parts of the memorial, are to be
erected at angles ; and lamp. of an appropriate design are in
progress by Messrs. Messenger, of Broad.street. For the
present, lamps will be placed pro inn. The railing and
pillarsare to be in bronze : bat we think much additional
effect would be given to this portion of the work if the wheat
ears were delicately picked out in gold. The design for the
railing, &e., are also by Mr. Hollis,.
The company having ascended the platform,
The Hon. and Rev. G.lll. Younn stepped forward and
addressed the assemblage.
The MArcia (J. Palmer, Esq.), who was warmly greeted,
la accepting the gift, spoke as tollows :—Mr. Chairman, in
the name, and on behalf, of the corporation of this borough,
the representatives of which are here assembled, 1 have the
honour of tendering to you, sir, to the committee over which
you have so ably presided, and the subecribers g lly„
our grateful thanks for the splendid contribution of native
art with which your generosity has enabled us this day to
ornament our borough. (Loud &leen) Sir, we shall esteem
and preserve it, not only as a most impressive memorial of
the great sad illustrious statesman whose statue it is, but
as a symbol uf the genius, high art, and great manufacturing
skill that distinguish our fellow townsmen. (Applause.)
Sir, Birmingham may well feel proud that it has produced
such men as Mr. Peter Hollins aid Messrs. Blkington and
Mason. (Cheers.) But, sir, the advantages of this noble
work do nut end here, it will be a moat valuable and ever
present example, inviting the imitation and stimulating the
worthy ambition of our youth, to whom in the present and
all succeeding generations it cannot fail to give rise to those
virtuous and patriotic emotions which lead to generous and
noble union, and ere alike conducive to the advancement

of the subject, and the prosperity and glory of the state.
(Loud and continued cheering.)

Alter cheers had been given for the Mayor, the Hon.
and Rev. Grantham Yorke, and Mr. Hollins, the sculptor,
the imu.ense assemblage dispersed.

A very sad occurrence took place just as the ceremony
terminated. A lady named Knowles, wife of one of the
members of the town council, had been witnessing the ps o-
medlar from the ground surrounding Christ Church,
wliere a number of ladies were stationed. As she was
about departing she was seised with illness and died in a
few minutes. She had been in her usual health and spirts
up to the fatal moment. Disease of the heart is the sup-
' posed cause a death. The deceased has left a family of
eight young children.

As a not inappropriate sequel to the foregoing report, we
may mention that the Exhibition of the Birmingham
Society of Artists was (opened to the public to-cay, and is
one of much aggregate and individual excellence in the
works displayed. Like other provincial bodies of the
same kind, it does not depend on the productions of
the current year for its leading attractions, and
on this occasion it has availed itself of local
and other sources of aid. The local artists, stimulated by
the Eastlake price of 601., which was awarded to a very able
picture of " Christ healing the Man sick of the Palsy," by
Mr. W. T. Roden, have acquitted themselves with more
than their usual moons, sad the general contributions are
numerous end praiseworthy ; but the " stars " are Mao-
lise's "Sleeping Beauty," affluent en fancy sad brilliant in
executioa ; the same artist's well known " installation of
Captain Rock," rich in studies of Irish life and char.eter ;
Etty's " Zephyr and Aurora," which adds a real grace and
beauty of conception to the most alluring charms of colour ;
and one of the artist's most poetical productions, "The
Barber's Shop," by klulready ; • charming picture by
Leslie (contributed by the Marquis of Lansdowne), painted
many years ago, of " Sir Roger as Coverley and the Specta-
tor going to Church ;" and Haydon's " Judgment of Sale-
mon," one of the finest specimens of any modern school of
historical paluttng, for which the society are indebted to
Sir Edwin Landsesr.