Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1857-04-30
sta'uary for the Capitol.

Inc syracuse new York journal states
that Mr.. Palmer, the sculptor, has just COM
lpleted his design Of group of statuary
which isto occupy the east pediment Of the
Capitol, and gives the following description
of ii: "a n,
1.-THE design represents the landing of
the Pilgrims at Plymouth, or, more strictly
speaking, it represents a scene supposed to
occur just subsequent TO the debarkation.
A group of them have gathered round their
pastor in various devotional attitudes, while
he is standing with uplifted hands, in the
act of returning thanks for their safe pas
sage through the perils Of the voyage, and in
inploring Divine aid and guidance in the
trials TO come. The sculptor has seized
the moment when all are wrapped in prayer
to transfer the motionless group 10 marble.
"The central figure is that Of the venera-
bic Elder Brewster. He is dressed in the
simple Puritan garb, while long cloak
hangs loosely from his shoulders. He
stands with his face towards Heaven, and
! his arms outstretched in devotion. Next 10
him kneels Rose Standish, her hands closed,
and her upturned face glowing with wo-
mans trust, and religious fervor. In strong
contrast, and by her side, stands Capt. Miles
Standish, with his head reverentialy bent,
bot his body erect, rigid, md sodierly, and
his arms folded on his breast. Just behind
him sits upon chest more youthful SOL
der. He leans partially on his gun, his
hands resting on the muzzle, while his eyes
and his thoughts wander from the religious
exercise before him toward The forest around,
and the adventure that turks there. A
mo- her holding upon her knees babe born
on shipboard during the voyage, divides her
attention between the pastor and the child.
On the right of the central figure kneels a
man habited like Standish, and next 10 him
an athletic, sturdy Puritan is leaning on an
nze that is to hew out home for him nthe
Wilderness. Behind him are young girl
and two children, and behind them sits Mr..
Clifton upon fragment Of rock, his head
bowed over the open Bible that rests upon
/ his knees, TO whose assurance Of still
watchful Providence he clings on this new
and untried shore. The savage character
of the surrounding scene is evinced bS the
rocks and leahess trees in the background,
Behind one of the latter crouches an Indian,
listening, and silencing, by a motion of his
hand, the dog that crouches beside him.
Behind the rocks upon the left of the group
two wolves, half in surprise, half in. fear,
peer cautiously out. In the distance the
mast of the 'Mayhower' is seen against the
sky.
This Impressive snd happily chosen
scene is not disfgured by any of the So
called classical adiuncts often resorted TO
by modern sculptors. The aoces cries all
beft the time and place. The costume of
the figures is such as the Puritans wore
The chests, barrels, boxes, &c., are Just
such as party of emigrants at that day
would be likely to carry first ashore.
"The form Of the pediment of course rem
ders it necessary that the figures near the
ends should be lower than those in the CEN
ire. But this, instead Of being defect, is
happily turned into an advantage. While
it gives unity and expression TO the group
it permits the artistic symboically arrange
his figures in the ascending scale of intel
lectual development. Lowest of all is the
savage life, typifsd by the Indian and his
dog. Then the domestic affections of civil
lized life are indicated by the mother and
child. Then the restless spirit Of Ameri-
can enterprise by the young man looking
eagerly around him. Then the stern ener-
gy of early colonial times by the figure of
Miles Standish. Lastly, the kneeling form
of Rose and the Elder absorbed in prayer
typify religion, the crowning glory of our
civilization. So, too, on the left of the
group, the figures are each expressive of
some phrase of American life and growth
The energetic hardy worker grasping his
axe and the old man with the open Bible
need no explanation.
This beautiful design is not to be a
mere bas-relef, but each of the principal
figures brewster, Clifton, Miles and Rose
Slandish, Sea- is a complete and perfect
statue oicollossal size. The trees, wolves,
Indian, &e.sare 10 be depicted upon the
marble background, SO that the whole
group will stand out much more than they
appear TO in the photograph. The labor Of
course will be great and tedious. Upwards
of three years will probably be required
beforsit will be complete in marble. But
when SO completed it will be at once an en-
during monument of Palmer's genius and a
fitting memorial for the National Capitol of
on eventNwhloh determined the character of