The New York herald., 1872-11-15
THE RENF0RTH MEMORIAL
In Memory OF the Champion SculIer OF
the World-Unveiling the Monument
Over His Grave-Interesting Proceed
fn0a.

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From the London Sportsman, Oct. 30.l
The monument erected over the grave of the late
James Renlorth, champion sculler, at st. Edmund's
Cemetery. Gateshead, was inaugurated on Monday
afternoon by Mr.. Thomas J. Pickett, the chairman
OF the Memorial Committee Deierrng to the re.
quest Of the cemetery authorities the committee IN
tended to make the proceedings private, but con-
axture, and there was, therefore, an
unexpectedly large attendance Of specta..
the monument it may De necessary to explain
that OF the amount subscribed G17O was handed
over to Mrs. Renforth, in order to commence bust
ness, and f2O0 has been sunk in the names OF
Mr.. Thomas J. Pickett Mr.. John Elliott Mr. William
Blakey and Mr.. Joseph J. Bagnall, ior the benefit
she Is seventeen years OF age, when she will be-
come come entitled n to the principal The monument,
Burn Sculptor Neve eAelussa Arcade Ssstee
is composed Of the best Prudham stone,
Is II feet. feet inches % high, the width Of the
entire block is about fourteen tons. 1t parallel
cgram In form, being compos I'd OF three basement
courses, on which are carved in relief the three
rampant lions of England and the seven stars Of
America, which give an international character to
the design. ON the easements is placed large
oblong die with inscription, as follows:-
Erected by public subscription to the memory Of James
RentSrth Ct Ga,esheaS Champion scnller Of the World
rowing in International boat race, between the Eng
lish and American crews on the Kennebecassis River
Above the inscription block is placed sar-
cophagus, surrounded with bay and oak wreatbs,
emblems OF victory, and on the front and back are
sculptnred the lie-sZed medallions OF James Percy
and Robert Chambers. The monument is sur
mounted by the historic group OF Renforth falling
into the arms OF Kelley in the boat and faithfully
depicts the pose and expression OF the crcum.
stances OF the time, and Is further enforced by the
riband carved scroll round the boat and inscribed
Win the appropriate text, I'm the midst OF life
we are in death" The whole design of the monu-
ment Is OF great simplicity and massiveness and In
keeping with the local Doric characteristics OF the
late champion. The figures are a careful study OF
nature as shown by the relaxed muscles and fading
expression OF consciousness OF Renforth. The In
tensity OF seriousness and wonder, as well as the
line manly vigor OF form OF Kelley, give great
force and character to the work. and win convey
to the public good moral lesson OF the uncer.
tainty Of human life
Mr.. Pickett, in addressing the spectators. said
they were met TO witness the unveling OF the mon
ument erected by public subscription to the mem.
ory OF their late iamented friend, James Renforth.
the champion sculler OF the world AS a public
man ana as an athlete the late champion was
certalniy one OF the best men in his particular
line that ever lived. He was conscientiously
honest and straightforward; he was gentle
and kind and lived upon the best terms with every.
nody. IL was pleasing duty for him to have TO
inauRurate the monument, but the duty had also
It's painful aspect and that was that they had lest
good friend and one in whom they once looked
up 10 as being able TO uphold the championship for
becassis which had been so truthfully depicted by
the sculptor was represented to them in the
ngures on the top OF the monument, and
tne memorial would therefore remind the
people In this district OF the painful circumstances
OF tne tlme. AS an old supporter and admirer Of
the late champion he had great pleasure in calling
upon that gentleman who had charge of the work
10 unveii monument which was in every respect
creditable TO all who had subscribed to It. but
doubly SO TO the eminent sculptor who had exc.
cuted the work. loud cheersj
was then removed and the spectators had the on.
portunlty OF more closely examining the work
which on all sides was much admired