The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-10-18
Foleys Masterpieces.

LORD Hardinge will probably he ALWAYS
remembered, cay 8 the iSGturRay Reviep. As
MS highest achievements. I5 is 10 MANY
respects preferable TO the Outram. The
two stand side by side at Calcutta, and are
! modelled to the same scale. But tbis as
sociatiop must render still more unsatis.
factory the want of repose in the second
ngure. Lord Hardinge sits upright on his
paving h"rse, and Restraints il with n firm
rein, while he looks before him calm in his
dignity. Ontram is represented in violent
motion. Curbing bis horse sharply with
one hand, he sits round in his saddle. and
hoids with the other his drawn sword at a
right angle to the axis of the gropp. His
hand rests on the flank of the animal. aud
Is the only thing at rest in the whole COM
position. His countenance is full of ardor
not to say of passionate emotion. and the
morse thrown back almost upon it's launches
paws the air with the fore foot, and lasbes
wildly with the tail. There is no one point
from which the statue can be satisfactorily
viewed, and the whole effect is as unauiet
and as much removed from any thing mon
umental as can well be conceived. We.
with all these faults, the group ia so bold
SO full of life and vigor. aud so faithfully
modelled, that criticism is absolutely set
at naught and defed. The originality and
talent of the artist are supreme, but the
astonishment excited by 80 powerful an
effort of plastic force can scarcely be rec
Il
the other statue there is equal force, but
ie lsstaient, and the strength of the design,
1hough not 30 prominently obtruded, is
equally real and much more satisfactory.
Foiey's Posthumous masterpiece NAV
probably, when his designs have been car
rled out. prove to be his gigantic memorial
of the Liberator. The circular pedestal,
about eight feet in height. is to sustain the
colossal figure, twelve feet high, of O'Con-
nell. This figure is nearly moulded, and it
Is Intended that it shall be sent to Dublin.
TO be placed on a temporary pedestal on
after which it will be brought back to
London to be cast in bronze. The circular
pedestal Is surrounded by q large number
of figures seven feet in height, some twenty
of which stand out almost com pleteIy from
the pedestal, while the others In the back
ground ara in relief. The principal figure
is that of Hibernia, which is taller than the |
rest, and stands with the harp resting against |
the left knee, while her right foot tram
pies upon broken chain, her right hand |
points upwards, and in her left she holds
q scroll on which is the title of the Eman-
cipation Act, " An Act for the relief of his
MaJestys Roman Catholic sahjects" Close
to- Hibernia stands young student, to
" nom an archbishop is pointing out the
Act; behind the Church dignitary is
priest wearing biretta, and these are fol-
owed by students in literature, art, music,
etc.; an earl, in his robes, is in~apparent
'onver alton with d country gentleman
he professor, the doctor, the barrister, the
'portsman, the artisan, and the laborer, all
ne represented on~ths plinth, which is to
D. elevated on~a square base OF granite,
en- feet In height, AT each corner of which
to be placed a winged Victory. Each of
hese is separate subject, and all are
modelled. They are supposed Co represent
(ictory by Fidelity, holding a mariners
ompass, and attended by the great Irish
'of dog; Victory by Eloquence, Victory
y Force, and Victory by Patriotism.
o the top OF the statue, is intended to be ,
bout fifty feet in height.