The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-04-24
M ISC ELAN EOUS.
From tie Boston Transcript ApH17
THE FRANKLIN STATUE IN BOSTO'


THE FRANKLIN STATUE IN BOSTON
COMPLETED.
The inches which have been so long vacant in the
pedestal of the statue of the great Bostonan are
length filled.
On the front of the pedestal will be found the
Printers Apprentice, precocious lad of sixteen or
seventeen years of age, examining the proof of a
sheet which he has Just worked off from the old
fashioned press at his side while youthful assist
ant is correcting the type little table against
the wall. This is Franklin as he began his career
in Boston his native place, and this bas-reIief is
fifty placed over the inscription which riyes thn
dates of his birth and death. This day is the sxtv
eight anniversary of the event last named which
took place April II, 1890
On the reverse of the pedestal, opposite to the
one we have described. and facinG the Citv Hall
will be Franklin, the fearless PHILOSOPHER, try-
ing his memorable experiment on the nature of
electricity, and establishing its identity with light
ming. He is standing erect, with the Kite string in
one hand while with the other he is applvinr his
knuckle to the key to catch the spark Ills son of
eighteen or twenty years OF age, with ball of twine
in his hand is STOPPING down to watch the result
The scene is in the open fields Franklin and his
son being sheltered only by a she'd under which he
says, they placed themselves to avoid the rain The
storm is indicated by the mark of lightning on the
clouds, as well as by the position of the animals in
the landscape. This experiment was in 1852 The
inscription is the celebrated Latin line of Mr. Tur
got,of which the familiar translation :IIe snatch
ed the thunder-bolt from the skies, and the sceptre
from tyrants."
These two bas-relieis were designed and moulded
by Richard S. Greenough, Esq. the accomplish
ed sculptor, by whom the statue itself was exc
cuted.
On the right hand side of the pedestal as YOU ap-
proach it from the front, will be found an admira-
Bile transcript of the group rendered so familiar by
Irumbul's pictures of the Signing Of the Decara
tion of Independence The ikencsses have all been
preserved. John Hancock sits in the foreground,
and Thomas Jefferson, John Adams. Roger Sher-
man, Robert r. Livingston and Franklin himself
the committee who drafted the immortal instrument
are standing around the table. Among the other
figures introduced into this tableau, are those of
Samuel Adams and Elbridge Gerry, who were
among the Massachusetts signers.
Opposite the above, on the left hand side of the
pedestal. is the scene of the Treaty of Peace and
independence, executed in Paris on the Sd of Sep
tember, 1888. David Hartlv, the British Commits
sioner, sits in front; John Adams and John Jav are
sitting at the table, and Franklin is standing as if
saying last word before afixing his signature In
the chamber of conference two secretaries are also
seen, and on pedestas against the walls NAV be OBJ
served the busts of our faithful ally, the King of
France, and of the gallant Lafayette.
These two latter bas-reliefs have been executed
by our excellent artist, Mr.. Thomas Ball. who was
invited by Mr.. Greenough and the committee to aid
in the completion of the Franklin Memorial. All
the bas-reliets were cast at the Chicopee Foundry
under the direction of Mr. Ames, who so successful
ly caste the statue itself