The Sun.
London, England, 1848-09-04 00:00:00

INAUGURATION OF THE BUST

OF PROFESSOR WILSON.
On Thursday last the bust of Professor Wilson,
executed by our accomplished townsman Mr. James
Fillans, was placed on its pedestal in the Paisley
Coffee-room. It was raised to its place in the niche
about one o'clock, covered with a beautiful fancy
tartan plaid from the establishment of Mr. John Mac-
arthur. In about half an hour thereafter it was un-
covered in the presence of a large assemblage of gen-
tlemen, comprising the committee, the subscribers,
and their friends. The bust, which is considered the
most striking likeness possible of the renowned
Christopher North, is indeed a masterpiece of art,
and reflects the highest credit on Mr. Fillans. On
this occasion its appearance was considered even more
admirable than before by parties who had formerly
an opportunity of examining its merits. The niche
prepared for its reception was declared all that could
be desired, as regards position, size, &c., and the
noble features so nobly chiselled looked like:life
itself. The bust was executed some time ago by
Mr. Fillans for a number of gentlemen con-
nected with Paisley, who have thus been the
means of raising in town not only a monument
to Professor Wilson, but as Sheriff Campbell very
well rein:lrked, a monument to the genius of the
aqist. It will long be prized by the community of
Paisley as a faithful likeness of their gifted towns-
man, and as a memorial of the high genius of Mr.
Fillans. 111.1. in these two weeks the artist has in-
augurated two works which must preserve his name
in undying hunour—the bust of Professor Wilson,
and the statue of Sir James Shaw.

After the bust had been properly placed on the
pedestal,

ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, Esq., of Barn hill, late
sheriff-substitute of Renfrewshire, and Chairman of
the Committee of Subscribers, came forward and said
—Gentlemen, as Chairman of the Committee of Sub-
scribers, for the erection of a monumental bust, in
honour of John Wilson, in this his native town, we
are now arrived at the completion of that pleasant
tack, by giving its final stend to the chaste and ele-
gant piece of sculpture prepared by the hands of Mr.
Fillans. Gentlemen, I hope you will iagree with
me, that at this stage of procedure it is quite unne-
cessary to enter into any special details concerning
the merits which have entitled Professor Wilson to
this marli of respect from his townsmen. That is a
matter long ago settled in the most satisfactory manner.
You would not have taken measures for the erection
of such a monument, unless you had been convinced
how well he had deserved that honour. It is enough
that the compliment has been most cordially re-
ceived, and handsomely acknowledged by the Pro-
fessor. Gentlemen, you are not ignorant that it has
been the custom of all civilised nations, ancient and
modern, to dedicate some such memorial in honour of
those who have deserved well of their country, by
eminence in literature, in arts, or in arms. Ido not
know that much can be said about Professor Wilson's
warlike achievements, but incontestibly he has
achieved for himself a distinguished name in the re-
public of letters ; and without making any special
allusion to his works, I may say of him what is
greatly to the credit of any man of literary genius,
that his chief works in poetry and in prose, are
characterised by a train of tenderness and pious
feeliog, and such of his other productions as ad-
mitted of it, by an abundant display of that sportive
and humorous wit which he has at command. But
perhaps the highest praise :that can be bestowed on
any author is one that may be given to him—that
in the whole of his numerous publications there is
not, in point of moral tendency, a single line " which
dying, he would wish to blot." Gentlemen, it is a
great satisfaction that this bust of Professor Wilson
has been produced in a manner highly approved of
by himself and all his friends, and that competent
judges of t'h.,'! art of sculpture have pronounced it to
be a striking proof of the genius of the artist. Gentle-
men, the purpose of all such monuments is at once to
discharge a debt of justice to the person compli-
mented, and to read a lesson to others, and more es-
pecially to the rising generation, leading them to emu-
late the virtues of those who have deserved such re-
wards. And to the people of Paisley, this bust will
tell of one whose parent had here, by successful in-
dustry, raised himself to opulence and respect, and
made the best use of his wealth by giving to his chil-
dren the advantages of excellent education, which,
combined with the talents which nature gave, have
placed our friend, his eldest son, in the high position
which he rmw occupies, as professor of Moral Philo-
sophy in the capital of Scotland, unimpeachable in
every attribute becoming a gentleman to possess, and
ranking high in the literature of his country. Gen-

tlemerc there is another consideration which cannot
be passed unnoticed. It is most gratifying for us to
think that, while we have thus raised a monument to
Professor Wilson, we have at the same time obtained,
in this charming piece of statuary, one of permanent
honour to James Fillans, the artist. I trust that the
success of Mr. Fillans, in this happy effort, as in many
others, will entitle him to that which is so justly his
due—the notice and employment of [those who have
similar patronage to bestow. Gentlemen, Ido not
know that I have anything further to add, except that
I think wo. must all join in wishing that Professor
Wilson may long and happily live to enjoy all the
honour which his native town and his native country
can bestow.— (Applause.)
Immediately atter the ceremony of placing the
bust on its pedestal the committee and subscribers
met in the Saracen's Head Inn. Alexander Camp-
bell, Esq., in the chair ; Robert Farquharson, Esq.,
croupier. Amongst the gentlemen present we ob-
served James Fillans, Esq., the artist, his brothers
Messrs. George and John Fillans, Provost Murray of
Paisley, Provost Crawford of Renfrew, Bailie Coats
of Paisley, William Barr, Esq., of Drums, William
Sharp, Esq., William Bissland, Esq., Captain Mait-
land, A. Gibson, Esq William ' Martin, Esq., of
Davieland, Samuel Barrie, Esq., Madras, A. C.
bourns, Esq., of Sandyford, R. Lymburn, Esq., W.
M‘Gibbon, Esq., John Dunn, Esq., Robert Rodger,
Esq., John Auld, Esq., John Smith, Esq., Hugh
Mackenzie, iEsq., Robert Wilson, Esq., town clerk,
G. W. Addison, Esq., J. J. Lamb, Esq., &c., &C.
The CHAIRMAN gave in succession "the Queen,"
" Prince Albert and the rest of the royal family,"
" the Army and Navy," and " the two Houses of
Parliament."
The CHAIRNIAN then craved a special bumper to
the health of Professor Wilson. He (the Chairman)
was glad to say that a few months' absence had not
so completely expatriated- him from being a towns-
man of Paisley, as to prevent him from drinking
that toast with the zest of, one belonging to the corn-
munity.—(Cheers.) He was particularly pleased to
think that on this occasion he had it in his power
to say that the professor and all his family were
highly pleased with this successful achievement of
Mr. Fillans. It had been said by artists of acknow-
ledged standing, that they could not have believed
that even Mr. Fillans would have produced such a
noble work.—(Applause.) lle was sure they would
all look back with pleasure to the transactions of that
day. He proposed " The health of Professor Wil-
son," which was drunk with all the honours.
The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the health of Mr.
James Fillans, said it was a difficult task for those
artists who in this country had to pioneer their own
way by the exercise of their talents. Mr. Fillans
had nobly struggled in his arduous profession, and
they must all feel a strong desire that he might never
suffer his attention to be distracted from that profes-
sion, but that he might go on adding to his successful
efforts, until he attracted the notice of those in the
higher circles of society in the capital of the country,
who had it in their power, if they had it in their will,
to patronise his just claims.—(Applause.)
Mr. FILLANS in reply said,—Mr. Chairman, Mr.
Croupier, and Gentleman, I must confess that the
compliments just paid me, and paid me in feeling
and eloquent terms, are more than I could have ex-
pected, and perhaps more than my merits justly
deserve. I feel sincerely grateful for the good opi-
nions of any man, or body of men ; but I assure you
that to be honoured by a meeting much as this, com-
posed of my fellow-townsmen, is highly gratifying
to my feelings.—(Applause.) I owe much to the
many kind friends among you, who have stimulated
and encouraged me in my profession, and to none do
I owe more than to your worthy Chairman, Sheriff
Campbell. Had it not been for him neither the bust
of Professor Wilson, nor the sculptor of it would
have been here to-day. Compliments have been
heaped upon mo for the execution of the work which
has this day been placed on its pedestal in your coffee
room ; but I assure you that had it not been th .1.
had such a noble head from which to model, I neverus t
could have been able to hare produced suchh
a hto
The veriest glimpse of such a head was g
in-
spire any man whose soul was not entirely
teenough
to
all appreciation of the beautiful or hublime. As
_v.l s
regards the beauties of Professor son's character
I might say much, but I will forbear, fully conscious
as I am that you are all as
thoroughly acquainted as
I can possibly be with the "Lights__and Shadows"
which have marked and adorned the life of that great
and gifted son of Scotia. His kindness to me was
indeed most pleasing. I could not have received
better treatment at his hands although I had been one
of his nearest connexions. I found him amiable in
the highest degree, and I know not whether I err or
not in considering his kindness to me as a reflection
of that gratitude which, I assure you, he entertained
towards his townsmen. To you, the subscribers to
the bust, I am truly grateful for the opportunity you
afforded me of chiselling the noble features of such a
noble son of genius ; and I trust I shall never cease to
entertain towards you those feelings of gratitude and
respect which your manifold favours have called up
in my bosom. Before I sit down, I beg to be allowed
the privilege of proposing a toast, and one I assure
you which I give with great good will. It is
" Prosperity to the town and trade of Paisley."
To-day, a short time before the ceremony of the
inauguration, I was told that it would be necessary
to have the bust covered with some sort of veil,