The Sun.
London, England, 1862-07-28 00:00:00

SIR HUGH MYDDEL7 ON' S STATUE.

On Saturday a very interesting ceremonial took
place at Islington-green. The statue of Sir Hugh_
Myddeltcn just erected, and the drinking fountains
introduced in graceful combination with the effigy
of that distinguished engineer, were solemnly in-
augurated, the Chancellor of the Exchequer taking
part in the cremeny. The work was exposed to
view for the first time on Saturday, and Finsbury
may now be congratulated on having been first to
erect a public statue which is historically in keep-
ing with the district, which occupies a really good
And commanding position, and which need not fear
to encounter foreign criticism. The site of the
statue and fountain is on Islington-green, a few
yards from one of the entrances to the new Agri-
cultural-hall. The figure of the knight, executed
by the late Mr. Thomas, the sculptor, is Bft. 6in. in
height.. It is carved in white Sicilian marble, and
represents Sir Hugh in the costume of the latter
pirtion of the 16th century, with badge, and chain,
holding in his left hand a scroll containing the plan
of his great and useful work, inscribed with the
words " New River." The statue stands upon a
pedestal of gray Devonshire granite, on the front
of which is the inscription, " Sir Hugh Myddelton,
born 1555, died 1631." The base beneath the pe-
destal is of Portland stone, and on the right and
left of the pedestal ate two seated figures of boys
partly draped, with hair entwined with bulrushes,
and beneath them pitchers, from which the water
pours into the basins. The figures and basins, like
the statue, are of Sicilian marble< The New River
Company have undertaken to supply the fountain
with water; and with some of the great city
companies have also contributed to the cost of its
erection.

At one o'clock the local authorities, consisting of
the chairman and members of the vestry of St.
Mary, Islington, directors of the New Agricultural
Hall, directors of the New River Company, &c.,
assembled in the new Agricultural Hall, which was
placed at their disposal for the occasion, and being
joined by the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Sir
Peto, marched in procession to the site co
Islington-green. On arriving. within the enclosure,
the vicar, the Rev. Daniel Wilson, read a prayer
suitable to the occasion. At its close the figures
was unveiled amid loud applause on the part of the
bystanders, and sir M. Peto presented the statue to
the Rev. D. Wilson, as chairman of the vestry,'
briefly expressing his satisfaction that the first work
o art erected publicly in the borough should be a
tribute to the memory of one of the great and good
men to whom England owed so much of her material
development, adding a hope that many might be
,simulated to follow the example of Sir Hugh.
\lyddelton, wh..,se memory they that day endea.:
voured to perpetuate. Mr. Harvey, chairman t
the sub-cotemitt?e, in like mauner,handed over the
pedestal and fountains on the part of the subscrl,:
oers to the Rev. D. 'Wilson, who accepted the
t
on behalf of the vestry, and trusted it would long'
continue as a memorial of the noble generosity o,
its donors.

The CHANCELLOR of flab EXCHEQUER, filling
Cup with water at one of the fountains, whicn begah`
0 play simultaneously with the unveiling of the
figures, said —lt is my plessant duty to dt clare this
,untain open. I have only to add that I think it a
great honour to be the first person to drink the
water that proceeds from it ; and to assure you that
I drink to all your very good health. (Laughter
and applause.)