Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-10-04

THE PERRY MONUMENT AT NEWPORT
Messrs. Robert Wood & Co., Of Philadelphia,
have completed the casting Of the series of
bronze baS reliefS intended to encircle the base
of the monument 10 Commodore Matthew T.
Perry, at Newport. This circular casting is
four feet two inches in diameter, and two feet
one inch in height, and upon it hay been pOr-
trayed four of the most Important scenes in the
life of that noble and distinguished son of Rhode
Island.
The first scene represents his landing in Japan,
in 1852 In it are to be seen, on one side, Il
guard Of marines from the flagship Powhattan,
and on the other number of japanese officials.
The centre figures are those of the commodore,
in full uniform, and several japanese mobiles,
paying their compliments to him, whilst in the
background are the cOlors of the United States
and of Japan. There are seventeen figures in
all, aud the apparel, postureS, lineaments and
acts are all so well depicted and so clearly de-
fined that they seem almost lifelike.
The second scene pOrtrays the signing OF the
treaty" In the background is a Japanese tea
house, and on the root thereof an astOmshcd
flamingo stands. One of the Japanese commlS-
siOners is in the act of sianing the treaty, and
behind him arc the remaining members of tue
commission. Opposite them stands Commodore
Perry, holding the duplicate of the treaty, and
behind him number of his seampn, who are in
the act Of explaining number Of gifts to the
astonished natives. Amongst the gifts are To-
tOnlOtlNe, SeNGTdl u1IlCulLuEdl lulplcliGulS, &C,
In the distance is to be seen seaman in boat,
holding in his hands number Of books intend
ed as presents. There are also a number Of Jap
anese servants carrying tea for the visitors. In
this case there are fourteen figures, equally ms
clear and as finely drawn out as the Others al
ready mentioned.
The third scene represents the capture of Ia
bascO, in 1871, by Commodore Perry, then in
command of our Mexican feet. The artist has
chosen the point of time when the sailors are
dragging the artillery ashore, and the COmmo-
dore is TO be seen standing in his boat directing
their operations, sword in hand. There are in
the scene thirteen figures.
The remaining scene is from the period Of the
commodore'S life when, cruising on the coast of
Africa, he succeeded in capturing several
"Slayers." The scene is an African one; in the
rear are the palmetto and cactus; on one side
stand a number of the natives, half prepared to
do battle, graspng their war clubs. A mother
and her child rushes towards Them while sever
al half clad Africans are Disseminating from
boat. The commodore stands in bold reliei in
the foreground, and some of the rude natives
seem to have caught the "point," since their
countenances exhibit mingled establishment
and joy. The ShaCkles lie on the beach, broken,
and the picture is good one, showing an heroic
action. There are ten figures and so carefully
has the work been performed that the spectator
can take in the spirit Of the affair at a glance.
The African features are clearly defined, and the
situation of the slave mother and child, til e
eagemess Of the African TO step ashore, tell the
complete story.
This bronze is now on exhibition in Philade-
phia, where it will remain for a day or two, and
then be shipped TO Newport. The Philadelphia
papers speak OF it in the highest terms, in an
artistic point of view, as well as of workman
ship. 1t was designed by the sculptor, j. @.
A. Ward, who was also the designer Of the
splendid bronze figure of the commodore and
cast by the same parties as that, who make
bronze work a speciality, and have won a fame
not inferior to their European competitors.
This is but the completion of the munifcent
and appropriate gift of August Belmont to the
city of Newport, the whole Of which cost in the
neighborhood of S25, 000.-PrOUideRce Journal.