Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-12-27
The Lincoln Statue and Monument.


A correspondent of the Providence Journal
: writes an interesting sketch Of the statue OF
Lincoln by I.arkn Mead which has just been
I, cast in bronze, and finished at Chicopee.
This statue is to be sent 10 Springfield, H.
where it will form prominent object in the
monument to be erected over his mortal re-
mains.
The statue is wonderful success, even in
the eyes of severe critics, and will add great
ly to Mr.. Meads reputation as an artist. 1t
stands upon low platform in the exhibition
room, and is eleven feet in height. the ma
terlai being massive bronze. 1t is absolutely
startling in its life-'ike resemblance to the
man. There ara the great, homely features,
the long, gaunt limbs, tie awkward pose, the
rngainly garments, pictured with mastery
power And there, also, are the uuutterably
sad expires sons, the pure light of goodness
irradating the homely face, and the noble
dignity of bearing conquering the physical
disproportions, and revealing to every behold
er the martyr-hero, idealized, and numined
with spiritual beauty.
Surely we never saw any pictured SEM
blance more satisfactory, or felt more fully
onyinced that bronze is the material TO give
| full scope to the subjective idea of the artist
The Lincoln monument, destined to be placed
over the last resting place of the martyred
President, will be stately structure of gran
lite. 1t consists of large, square memorial
hall, from the central front OF which swells
out the catac0mb or tomb. On each side of
the catacomb are granite stairwavs leading 10
the top of the hall, around which is n railing
and place fer promenade. From the centre
of the fiat roof of ihe hall rises tho obelsk,
resting On a massive square pedestal, on
whose corners are symbolical representations
of the four arms of service. In front of the
obelsk, on a high pedestal stands the bronze
statue OF Lincoln, which we have already de-
scrbed. The height of the obelisk from the
ground ia nearly one hundred feet, and the
statue of Lincoln stands about thirty five feet
the statue itself being eleven feet. The whole
structure will be a worthy monument TO the
meIit of the man and the national apprecia-
ton of his claims to their everlasting graft
tude.
The simplicity Of the creation is one of its
chief attractions. Lincoln stands in the easy
pose so Familiarity recognized and so fondly
remembered. In his right hand he holds the
historical pen, and in his left scroll, with
Emancipation" engraved in large letters on
the surface. At his left foot stands the Ameri-
can eagle. The symbolical bird holds in his
beak the links Of a broken chain, and his
claws trample upon the rebel flag. The ex-
preston of the bird is searching and effective.
You can almost see the broken links dropping
from his beak, aud Indignation flashing from
his eye as he tramplos upon the Confederate
stars. The giant proportions of the statue
strange as it may seem, take nothing from It's
power, even when seen in close proximity,
and on level with the spectator. The col
losal details are curious. The bronze pen is
foot long: the finger nails are an inch in