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

SIR HUGH MYDDEL7OI\PS STATUE.

On Saturday a very interesting ceremonial took
place at Islington-green. The statue of Sir Hugh
Myddelton 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 ie historically in keep-
ing with the district, which occupies a really good.
.nd 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
portion 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 inscripticn, " 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 are 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, 8.7 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 en
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 bir M. Peto presented the statue to
the Rev. D. Wilson, as chairman of the vestry,
briefly expreNsing his sat:sfaction that the first work
.“ art erected publicly in the borough should be Aa
ribute to the memory of one of the great and good
men to whom England owed so much
cot her material
development, adding a hope that many might be
stimulated to follow the example of Sir Hugh
Myddelton, whose memory they that day endea-:
voured to perpetuate. Mr. Harvey, chairman of
the sub-committee, in like manner handed over the
pedestal and fountains on the part of the subscri-
bers to the Rev. D. Wilson, who accepted the gift
on behalf of the vestry, and trusted it would Jon:,
continue as a memorial of the noble generosity I
Its donors.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, filling a
~!up with water at one of the fountains, waste began
o Play simultaneously with the unveiling of the
figures, said,—lt is my pleasant duty to declare tl6
11
i
fountain open. I have only to add that I think t a
treat honour to be the first person to drink the,.
Nater that proceeds from it ; and to assure you titer
I drink to all your very good health. (Laug
and applause.)