Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1857-07-21 00:00:00

THE W2,LLINGTON MONUMENT.

On Monday next the models contributed by the sculn.
tors of Europe for the Wellington monument in St. Paul's
Cathedral will be thrown open to the public in West
rninstee Hall. It will be recollected that Parliament
voted .i'loo,ooo for the purpose of a public funeral of the
late Duke of Wellington. By one of those marvellous
incidents it was for once found that those who had the
management of the funeral over-estimated the cost, and
that there actually remained, after paying every expense,
a sum amounting to £23,00. ft was at first proposed to
return this surplus into the public exchequer, but at
length the Government decided, with the approval of the
House of Commons, to apply this amount to the erection
of a monument in St. Paul's Cathedral. Twenty thousand
pounds was therefore the maximum amount to be expended
on the monument, and the remaining three thousand was
to be divided amongst the authors of the best designs.
As in the case of the government offices, the
whole work was thrown open to public competition.
Circulars and specifications were sent to all parts
of the civilised world, and most nobly have the
sculptors responded to the invitation. England, Ireland,
Scotland, France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Spain, Portu-
gal, Greece, and America, are severally represented; and
it is not too much to say that never was so splendid a
collection of models brought together. During the past
fortnight the several artists, with their assistants, have
been busily engaged in putting their models in order, and,
as many of them are men of world-wide reputation, their
opinions taken collectively will have great weight in
determining the value of the collection. These gentlemen,
although doubtless they severally believe that their own
wcrk is the best, yet are qui`e willing to pay just tribute
to the excellence of the productions of their rival com-
petitors. Oee and all, therefore, concur in stating their
conviction that the collection has never been surpassed, if
ever equalled.
In the specifications it was ordered that the models
should be made on a uniform scale, being one quarter the
s'ze of the intended dimensions. This precaution was a
very wise one, and has materially heightened the
general effect of the exhibition. The models are
placed in three rows, the entire length of the
ball, ample space, being allowed between each
to permit of their being thoroughly examined with-
out crowding or inconvenience. The platforms are
covered with crimson cloth, which greatly adds
to the general effect. Many of the models are tinted ;
some of them are of bronze colour, whilst about others
there is a good deal of gilding. This variety of tints,
contrasting with the general mass, composed of white
plaster, relieves the exhibition from appearing monotonous
or sombre. The building itself is well adapted for this
purpose, the subdued light passing through the stained
windows of the ball, giving a general softness to these
wondrous productions of the sculptor's art, as well asit
c impletely monumental character. On entering the hall
the coup d'ceil is very beautiful, and will surprise the
majority of visitors, who will next week come in crowds
to view the very remarkable collection of works of art.
The exhibition of the designs for the Niiw Offices was a
great treat, but this is of a far more interesting character.
In the former there was necessarily a certain amount of
sameness, as the architects were confined strictly to build-
ings of a certain class. But in the preparation of
models for a monument, the genius of the artist and
sculptor has had full scope, and there was no limit placed
to their imagination in preparing allegorical designs. The
total number of models sent in is eighty-four, and although
there are scarcely two exactly similar, yet there are a
good many which make use of the same allegorical figures,
such as tliose of Fame, History, Victory, Prudence, Peace,
Plenty, &e. In order that the public may have the fullest
opportunity of inspecting the models, it has been decided
to throw open the exhibition to the public on Monday,
the 20th, Tuesday, 21st, and Saturday, 25th inst., from
nine to seven p.m. ; and on Monday, Tuesday, Friday,
and Saturday, for some succeeding weeks, also from nine
to seven p.m. To give some idea of the nature of the
exhibition, it will suffice to state that several of the com-
peting artists have valued the models alone at £25,000.
Those, therefore, who desire a treat should lose no time
in availing themselves of the opportunity thus given by
the government.

CASH AND DEED BOXES.—The next important thing to the p osses-
s ion of cash is, bow (when you have got it) to keep it safely, either in
the counting-house or at home. The same remarks apply to deeds
and other valuable documents. We have seen a large and varied
stock of both these desirable articles, manufactured expressly for Mr.
E. T. Hall, of South John street, that challenge attention. These
boxes are made on new and admired principles, and possess patent
lochs, which defy the ingenuity of any "pick-lock" in the world to
open, except with the legitimate key. To merchants, solicitors, and
others, these new safes, on a small scale, moat prove valuable udeid
—Northers Daily Tima,2lBl May, 1817,