The Sun.
London, England, 1842-06-13 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY MORNING, JUNE 13, 1842.

THE WILKIE MONUMENT.

MEETING AT THE THATCHED HOUSE TAVERN.
A public meeting was on Saturday held at the Thatched
House Tavern, for the purpose of taking into consideration the
best mode of commemorating the late Sir David Wilkie.
Among the subscribers present we noticed Lord Mahon, Sir
W. Newton, Bishop Copplestone, Allan Cunningham, &c.
Sir ROBERT PEEL took the Chair.
Our reporters were at first refused admission to the meeting,
and it was not until some time after the Right Hon. Chairman
took his seat that it was decided that the press could be admit-
ted. On our arrival in the room we found

Sir PETER LAURIE proposing that the best mode of com-
memorating the late Sir David Wilkie, was to erect a statue.
Mr. ALLAN Cur/Nitwit...3'r proposed that 1,6001. should be
voted for that pur?ose.
The CHAIRMAN said, of coursehedid not wish at all to say any
thing that might influence the meeting, but his strong opinion
was that 1,6001. ought to be applied to the erection of a statue.
He thought it ought to be a work creditable to British art, and
he did not think that they ought to expect an artist of distin-
guished merit to take it without being fairly remunerated for it.
--(Hear, hear.) Ambition in the artist, and a desire to distin-
guish himself by having his name coupled with that of Wilkie,
might induce him to undertake the work for 1,2001., but then
they mu.t all deeply regret his not being fairly remune-
rated.—( Hear, hear.) He thought 1,200/. was too
little. It would cause the statue to be unworthy
of the name of Wilkie —( Cheers.) This statue would be the
first thing strangers and foreigners would look at, as the monu-
ment of one of the greatest of British artists, and he should be
very sorry if that monument did not sustain the reputation of
British art, and therefore he thought certainly that 1,6001. was
not at all too much ; indeed, he should be very unwilling to
refuse 2,oool.—(Hear, hear.) His own opinion was, that the
statue should be as worthy of the artist as possible.—( Hear. )
Sir P. LAURIE took the liberty of suggesting that the reso-
lution should say the amount of subscription, without specifying
the sum of 1,6u01., as they might obtain more than that sum.
The CHAIRMAN said he thought the resolution ought to be
worded that the whole sum collected should be appropriated to
the erection of a statue, as a question might arise if the specific
sum of 1,6001. was named, and they got 1,7001., of how they
were to appropriate the remaining 1001.
Bishop COPPLESTON said, that the authorities of St. Paul's
Cathedral would not allow any statue to be erected in that
Cathedral, unless the artist was paid a minimum price of
1,000/., therefore he thought that the sum of 1,6001. could
not be considered too much. _ _ _

The CHAIRMAN then put the resolution, which, it ap-
peared, had been previously moved by Sir Peter Laurie, to
the effect that the amount of subscriptions be applied to the
erection of a statue.

The CHAIRMAN said, they had then to consider a most im-
portant question, namely, to whom the execution of this work
was to be committed, and what steps they should take with a
view to the selection of an artist to whom the work should be
entrusted. This was the next question they had to consider.
JAMES HALL, Esq. said that with the permission of the meet-
ing, he would submit a resolution to the effect, that under the
direction of the Sub-Committee the execution of the statue to
Sir David Wilkie be entrusted to Mr. Joseph, he being in pos-
session of a bust of Sir David Wilkie, which was highly ap-
proved of by the family of Sir David Wilkie, and he being in
other respects an artist well calculated for the undertaking—
his works being well known to:the public, and highly esteemed.
He (Mr. Hall) believed he should best consult the wishes of
the meeting by occupying but a few moments of their time.
It must have been a matter of satisfaction to all to know that
they were likely to escape those unsatisfactory delays and
anxious discussions which usually attended such competitions,
for he conceived that there was a very easy mode of escaping
from that dilemma. During the life time of the man whom
they wi-hed to honour, it might have been doubtful as to
whom the artist should be to whom they would entrust
the work. His own impression would be, that the
constituted authorities--persons who had received academical
honours which have been entrusted with it. But, when the in-
dividual whom they wished to honour, was removed from them
the question became quite different. The first question was
what were the materials in existence for such a work. Now
it so happened that in that instance they had suddenly and
lamentably lost their friend Sir David Wilkie, for he was sure
he might call him a friend. They had the means of preserving
his likeness. Mr. Joseph had in his possession a good like-
ness, which had been esteemed and admired by the family of
Sir David Wilkie. Had Sir Francis Chantrey been living a
dilemma might have arisen, but in the present instance he
thought Mr. Joseph had a claim upon the Committee. He
was a personal friend of Sir F. Chantrey, and so high was the
opinion of Sir Francis of Mr. Joseph, that he wrote him
to say that he was about to retire from the profession
as far as regarded taking orders for private busts, andthere-
fore there was an opening for Mr. Joseph. He (Mr. Hall) might
say, that although he was so confident of Mr. Joseph's suc-
cess, yet be himself was not so confident. On the last occasion
when he was about to be proposed, he told him (Mr. Hall) to
state, that whomsoever should be chosen he should be most
happy to place all the materials he had in his possessi4l at the
disposal of the person so appointed.—( Hear, hear.) He
thought, under all the circumstances, Mr. Joseph was worthy
of the honour.

Sir W. NEWTON briefly seconded the resolution.
The CHAIRMAN then put the resolution, for entrusting the
erection of the statue to Mr. Joseph, when
Mr. BUItNET said that there would be no difficulty in pre-
serving a likeness from the pictures of the late Sir D. Wilkie.
But, independently of that they had met to consider the pro-
priety of raising a statue to hi 4 memory, and not a bust, and
a statue and a bust were two different things. He knew one
statue in Westminster Abbey that gave him no idea of the
person for whom it was intended; a sculptor should not con-
fine himself to the defects belonging to the individual, but look
snore at the mind of the man. He suggested that the statue
should be open to competition, and moved an amendment
to that effect, having mentioned the name of Mr. T. Campbell
as an artist well qualified to undertake the statue.
The amendment was seconded by Mr. W. Sistrsox.
Some conversational discussion ensued as to a cast of Sir
David Wilkie, mentioned by Mr. ALLAN CUNNINGHAM,
who was favourable to competition, an opinion coincided with
by Mr. T. PHILLIPS. -
Sir P. LAURIE said that the feeling of Sir David Wilkie's
family was decidedly in favour of the bust by Mr. Joseph. He
alluded to the unsatisfactory result of the competition in the case
of the Nelson Pillar. All the world, he believed, came before
the Committee with models ; they were not satisfied, and fresh
ones were called for ; the whole summer was wasted, and
whether they had given satisfaction with the pillar at last was
extremely doubtful. The Duke of Wellington advised them
not to go to competition, but his advice was not followed. He
was authorised by the family of Sir D. Wilkie, that nothing
would give them greater satisfaction, than a statue after
the bust of Mr. Joseph.
Sir C. FORBES bore testimony to the merit of the'bust as a
likeness, and deprecated competition.
Sir M. A. SHEE had not come prepared to discuss the ques-
tion now started. The greatest talent the country had pro-
duced, ought to be commemorated by the greatest talent they
now possessed. He suggested that it would be much better if
the Committee would meet again for the express purpose of
considering the matter.

Sir R. Fan. said the present question was a very important
one, and was not confined to the present occasion. They must
look forward to similar subscriptions in honour of distinguished
men, and it was important the public mind should be impressed
with the opinion that the selection was not made without foil
consideration. He, for one, had had no opportunity of seeing the
bust by Mr. Joseph. He was quite aware of the objections to delay,
and the difficulty of making a selection after going to a com-
petition, but he thought that they ought first to have before
them a knowledge of all the memorials which exist of the late
Sir David Wilkie, either pictures or casts, that they might be
able to make a selection. He had seen busts made after death
of very imperfect materials, as those of the Dean of Christ-
church and John Hunter, by Sir Francis Chantey. He
thought it would be more satisfactory to Mr. Joseph himself,
if this meeting were adjourned, and a notice given in favour of
Mr. Joseph.
Mr. JERDA N thought the inconveniences of competition
would not apply so greatly in the present case, where a statue
bad been decided on ; they should only have to look at the
likeness,

Sir R. PEEL would like to know how a competition for a
statue was to be conducted. The best sketch as to the general
design might not be the best as to likeness.
Sir M. SHRE said there were two considerations which the
meeting should bear in mind, first, the likeness of the indi-
vidual, and, secondly. the excellence of the statue as a work of
art. He conceived that a strong likeness of the individual was
not the most important consideration. He thought it v:ould be
much better that the meeting should adjourn.
Sir R. PEEL said if the meting adjourned it was im-
portant to know precisely for what purpose they adjourned ;
they should make up their mind what question should be de-
cided when they next met.
Sir T. BARING thought what they had to settle was the
selection of an artist, and the question of competition was no
competition.
Lord M Anow said they seemed all to be agreed on one point,
n&mely, that they could not then seiect au artist. The only
question was whether or not the selection should be decided by
competition. His Lordship then proposed :—" That this meet-
ing be postponed until Saturday the •2d of July ; that the Com-
mittee be summoned to meet on that day, for the purpose of
selecting an artist for the execution of the statue ; and that
public notice be given that such is the object of the future
meeting."

Sir M. SHIM, having seconded the resolution, it was put from
the chair, and cart ied unanimously.
On the motion £f Mr. JEADAN, seconded by the Bishgp of
LLANDA PT, the following resolution was agreed to:_" That
the name of no artist should be proposed at the next mee ting,un-
less an intimation of the same should be sent to the Secretary
a week previous to the meeting, and that a week previous to
the meeting the Secretary should state to the Committee the
names of the artists."

A vote of thanks was then unanimously carried to the Chair.
man, who returned thanks, and the meeting separated.

LLOYD'S SHIPPING.

LONDON, JUNE 10.—Wind this day at noon, Easterly.
DEAL, JUNE 10.—Wind N.E. , fresh- breezes.—Arrd. from
the River, and sailed, Asia, China; Madagascar, Madras and
Calcutta.

Poarsuourff, Julie 10.—Wind E.N.E.—Arrd. Madagas-
car, London, for Madras • Westminster, for New York. Arrd.
off, Convivial, Han'burgh, for Newfoundlaud.
SOUTHAMPTON,' JUNI 10.—Arrd. Dee, steamer, Oman,
Havanna,left I,2th ult. ; Liverpool, steamer, Gibraltar. The
Medina, steamer, Burney, went ashore on Turks Island, 11th
ult., and became a total wreck on the following day. Crew,
passengers, and stores saved. .
LIVERPOOL, JUNE 10.—Wind E.S.E., moderate.—Arrd.
Earl Yowls, Toadhunter, Mauritius. Scila, Higgins, New
Orleans; George IV.' Cornelius, Palermo. Std. Columbian,
Sydney, New South Wales; Scotia, Philadelphia; Helen,
New York; Laurs' Dalhousie; Pollock, Miramichi ; Mearns,
Quebec ; Daniel, Carthagena. Arid. off, Milo, Odessa.
The Scilla, Higgins, arrived here from New Orleans, sailed in
company from the Bar on the 30th of April, with the Go-
halt, ( reported to have been ashore), the Hero of Acre, and
John Baring, all for this port.
CLYDE. JUNE B.—Sld. Duke of Argyle, New Zealand;
Norwal, Rio Janeiro ; Wandsworthy, New York.
BRISTOL, JUNE 10.--Arrd. Elizabeth, Stone, Odessa. The
Tune reported ashore yesterday, as bottom up. floated on the
fiood from where she felt over, and was got into the creek at
Pill, where she grounded, but had been raised, and will be
towed there to repair.
Orr DOVER, JUNE 9.—Aurora, Landmark, Buenos Ayres,
for Antwerp.
FALMOUTH, JUNE 9.—Wind E., fresh.—Arrd. Dee steamer,.
Oman, Havannah, left 13th ult., Na.sau .10th, Bermuda 26th,
and Fayal 13th inst. ; Pauline, Bushere, Martinique, for
Havre; Albion, Maus, Ancona. Arrd. off, Antonia, Sped.
man, Surinam, for Antwerp ; Rival, Odessa ; Galatea, Finlay,
Palermo.

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BRISTOL SUGAR-MARKET, JUNE' 10.---Curisider-
able anxiety has prevailed in our market during the week, and
the sales have amounted to about 1,000 or 1,200 hhda, at steady
prices. The stock is now very much reduced, and fur the few
on hand higher prices are demanded.. The refiners were the
principal buyers. —Bristol Mercury,
Ay ltoitimity.-011 Wednesdav, the Ist
inst., as Mr. Charles I'innev, shoemaker, of Stamford, was
proceeding from Lincoln to 6ainsborough on foot, when near
the village of Lea, at about ten o'clock at night, three men
suddenly seized him, two of whom pinioned his arms, while a
third presented a pistol to hii head, and rifled his rockets cf
D7t. in gold, and !orne !Hirer,