The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-08-30

SOME years ago, when the architectural
ornamentaton of Westminster Palace-or,
as it is.more popularity known, Parliament
House-was under discussion, it was de-
cided that statue of each British sovereign
should be placed in the Palace but the
knotty question arose, whether Oliver
Cromwell, who rcigned as Protector, not
King, should be classed as one of those
who are supposed to rule by Divine right.
Some held that as Cromwell filled an inn
portant place in written English history, he
should not be ignored in what purported to
be the sculptured history of the nation
others held that Cromwell's statue could
not be permitted to elbow royalty in mar
BILE, as he had been Extensively active, when
living, in opposition to his royal contem-
poraries. The question was taken up by
press and people, and "Shall Cromwell
have a statue ?" was the absorbing topic
of discussion.
The powers that were, decided adversely
to the friends of the Puritan ruler, and the
royal line of effigies escaped contamination.
Anticipating a sensible solution of the con-
troversy, Mr.. Ayrton designed a full
length model of Cromwell, which has re-
manned in his studio uncared for, and
would have been forgotten but for such
cast being needed to test the effect of a
statue in certain position in Palace
yard, where it is proposed statue of
Lord Palmerston shall be placed.
The London Times thus describes the
model, which it styles the "Prisoner of the
Bastile" from having been so long inn
INJURED in Mr.. Ayrton's studio. Compar-
ing him as ruler, with the sovereigns
whose dignity it was feared his statue
presence would ruflle:
Cromwell was greater than they In itself and
in it's subject this statue is worthy of any Site so
that the site be worthy of it, and we shall be very
much disappointed indeed ii Mr.. Ayrton's Pris-
oner of the Bastile, which we have thus acct
IDENTIFY got u glimpse of, be not soon clothed with
bronze and set in place of honor The follow
ing is description of the model
"Oliver Cromwell is represented standing as
he might have stood on one of his battle fields,
on rough ground and near a broken tree-stump.
His dress is exactly what II WaS-flapped boots,
heavy spurs leathern gauntlets, and u leather
coat, crossed by a broad sword belt. His sheath
ed sword rests on the ground, and his right hand
on the hilt thus pushed somewhat away from
him. His left arm stretches downwards, and
slightly outwards, its hand nearly open
1.-THE attitude of the whole figure is perfectly
natural and in its force and simplicity is entirely
indicative of the man. The artist has nowhere
strained for effect but has everywhere worked
out a conception grand and simple, and thus has
attained the greatest effect He has seized no
special occasion, but the longer we contemplate
the statue the more we perceive that it contains
the aggregate of the whole man--his wisdom in
peace and his strength in war; his unfinchng
ambition and his severe piety. The head is bare
and is q most faithful portrait. We have all that
the best pictures give usthe long hair, the short
stiff moustache, the rugged, but not repellent,
features, the large, yet firm, mouth, set in n
heavy jaw.
"The propriety of gesture is perfect and the
modelling of the whole figure is bold and true
What faults there may be lost in the general
excellence, and we do not consider ourselves
bound to be careful to find them. We under
stand that in a few days Mr.. Ayrton will issue
his tsttre de cacteand consign this model back to
the studio whence it came, but we sincerely hope
that it will not be suffered to stand there till we
are all dead, and that it will soon be brought
forth again in bronze marble. For our part
we should like to see Cromwell in his place
among 1.-THE Sovereigns in Westminster-hall, for
the sake of history as well for the sake of art