The Sun.
London, England, 1856-11-27 00:00:00

SIR C. J. NAPIER'S STATUE.

During the present week the various passengers
whom business or pleasure has conducted through Tra-
falgar-square may have probably noticed a veiled statue
erected on a pedestal of severe simplicity. From local
tradition it is gathered that three or four days ago both
pedestal and statue were placed on their present site,
under the superintendence of Mr. Cundy, a mason well
skilled in such operations. However the feat was an
complished, it took place at night-time, and the neigh-
bourhood of Charing cross, when it woke in the morn-
ing, wondered to find the new colossal inhabitant
stationed in its great square.
Although the form of the statue was concealed by a
thick canvass veil, its subjeot was plainly indicated by
the inscription on the pedestal—." Charles James Napier,
General, born MDCCLXXXII ; died MDCCCLJII.
Erected by public subscription from all classes, civil and
military, the most numerous being private soldiers."
Such was the device beneath the mysterious figure.
The enigma is now no longer enigmatical. Without
' any inaugurating pomp, and amid weather that was
marvellously bad even for a London November, the
ceremony of unveiling took place shortly atter 11 a.m.
yesterday in the presence of a small but select body of
spectators, who braved the combination of sleet and
slush to witness the addition of cne more work of art to
the metropolis. The more hardy luunged about the
flagstones, the more cautious attended in carriages. A
great deal of curiosity was visible among the little throng
as the workmen ascending the ladders commenced the
process of unveiling, and a hearty cheer burst forth when
the statue stood unveiled in all its dignity, brought out
in full relief against the dull, foggy sky.
When fine weather shall have increased the number
of spectators, it will be found that the new statue is not
secondary in interest to any erected in the public tho-
roughfares of London. The illustrious General is repre-
sented with a scroll in his left hand, symbolical of the
government awarded to Scinde, and a sword in his right,
not branished in defiance, but pressed against his bosom
as if in acknowledgment of its good service. The atti-
tude is natural but commanding, the strongly-marked
features are reproduced with powerful effect,aenudt thed
e.
heavy mantle which is thrown over the back of the figure
answers the sculptural purpose of the t .ga , ith
stroying the national character of the General,
dre-sain Ilia proper uniform, The height of the who 2 is
which is of bronzeue,fenttaohtle. beslxiatnecekpeeliengsetld42iiiver, but sho figure,
the
pedestal,coiou rwlthhei
s ibty
nalapyibnethraentudainkoeudltd,itinatg,thsetafieldest 17
tffuhee(
eeel
tt
f;ei
tguraur:imriceli otatul:neee t‘ge:7*
ridl rnaoluoltnnig aetdl
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f
immediately on the granite, without the intervention of
metallic base.

•
The highly interesting work of art now exhibited to
the great public of London owes its origin to a subscrip-
tion set on foot about two years ago by a committee
of which the Earl of Elienborough was chairman, and
Colonel Kennedy and Sir Colin Campbell joint secretaries.
Among the chief donors were the present Duke of Beau-
fort and the late Lord Hardinge, who contributed each
1001. but the subitcriptions descended to the humble
amounts of 2/. and 1/, and the words written on the
pedestal are strictly true.
Mr. G. G. Adams, the sculptor of the work, is the
young and rising artist who distinguished himself by the
successful bust of the late Duke of Wellington, of which
marble copies were taken by the Queen, the present
Duke of Buccleuch- and liprd Eleanore ; and by the
statue of the same great General now erected in the
market-place of Norwich.