Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-10-14


From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
The leading descriptive idea Of this
masterwork Of art is an endeavor to
realize the relative effects and the beneii-
cent results Of water upon the human
race. Swallowing forth, as IL were, this
great blessing OF heaven, we have repre-.
sented TO us figure, Genius, from
whose outstretched hands, high up be-
tween heaven and earth, flows, as the
gift of God, water, in its pnrest form,
and coming down to US in the shape of
rain. ff let'A tp
Lightly treading upon a luxuriant bed
Of leaves Of a mighty trunk, the Gggre is
surrounded by four colossal groups, por-
traying the most sensible benefits of the
element, such as bathing and drinking
and lastly the power of extinguishng.
Then we'have the figure of Mother, who
with happy, gleesome air, leads her
young child to the bath, while he, child
like clings TO her arm in fear of the un-
accustomed immersion. "a
To the right we perceive sturdy me-
chanics in aprons on the roof burning
house, praying HeaYenifor water toex-
tinguish the flames. TO the left far
mer is seen planting tree, which can
groy only with the help Of rain. lie
rests upon plow, while his faithful dog
approaches and shows his affection.
Finally, on the rear side, daughter,
blooming with youth, leads by the hand
an aged father, stricken with disease, to
the life-renewing waters. Eagerly the
old man drinks as if every draught gave
him new life. at.a y
-Four beautiful figures in the richest
Renaissance style, from which in the
formlof a bow laeveny-six spouts play,
forming around the square groundwork
a sort of circle, whose pure and living
conception forms one Of the most beau
tifdl artistic effects of the art work
They are made to represent the uses of
water in its homeliest and most various
forms, ench as the use of water for the
necessities Of mankind, the fisheries,
and finally as steam in all
its manifold appliances. The front face
presents to us the family OF fisherman
just returning from their labors, the
younger members triumphantly holding
up to gaze the struggling Booty, while
the elderly people are mostlyengaged in
mending their nets and reeountiDg adj
ventures. .q9fe
To the right we see the shipping, va
rious in form and shape, in the harbor,
where a group OF emigrauts are busily
engaged III settling their last aeconnts
vith1the old country before embarking
for the Nov World. The rear side shows
us a group baaily engaged in showing |
the, advantages Of water PoVer-a mill |
filled with country people eager to have |
their grain ground. Lastly, water turned
into steam shows us the wonderful pow
er Of ans enormous hammer in foun-
derry, while further back we discern
the. locomotive putting and blowing a
whistle, giving notice Of its departure
from our shores to those Of the Old
World. ' '' ''
In the inches, breaking the monotony
of the corners. we recognize four chill |
dren who represent the joys ofwater, A |
maiden, ats one corner, scontemplates |
with glee her. hair, bespangled with
pearls; at another, youngster, wild with
delight, holds up crab he has caught;
WHY at dhOtHth a JOuuE Bili hdlcHcb |
with interest the antics of shell-fish,
and lastly a boisterous young one is en-
gagged strapping up his skates, thus hf-
lording proof of the change OF water to
ice.
The whole york rasts upon base Of
syenite, and a broad basin surrounds it
Of the same material The water flow
ing from the fountain itself was, in its
various forms, designed purely in aid of
artistic effects-much more so, in fact,
than to its cooling and enlivening re-
suit; but it became necessary TO provide
for a more materialistic re-
suit, that is, the drinking of pure, cold
water. This was affected by the placing
)f four youths at the corners, which thus
ormed at once the outer edges Of the
he monument and served as supporters
,frelicfs to The original grand design.
One of these figures represents
tying up the limbs of play
ul dolphin; another is busy in conin
ng the antics Of an obstreperous crab;
third looks complacently down on
harmless snake playing about his ankles,
nd the fourth lies patiently waiting the \
OF a Wild duela ulu flr i
----Al--------~' --h,.-----------