Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-07-15
ENGLAND'S TRIBUTE,
The statue of StOnewaH Jackson in
the Galleries OF the Royal
Academy.
PHILADELPHIA Press.

Philadelphia Press.
The Royal Academy, IN ite collection
this year, presents an exhibition of
painting and statuary perhaps never
before equaled, either in the number or
excellence of its works of art. Nothing,
however, among the marvellous crea-
tons of brush, pencil, or cbisel
is SO worthy of the admiration of the
cosmopolitan American as Foley's
statue Of Stonewal Jackson, soon to
be sent as a gift to the State
of Virginia. Although it stands
among galleries crowded with meritOri-
Gus productions on canvas Orin marble,
the mind regards all other subjects
with cold curiosity or vague admiration,
for the attention is riveted by this need
of honor to the hero of so many battles,
which at the same time embOdies the
highest art of the sculptor. The feel
ing may exist IN the breasts of our cOUn-
trymen, which IN one section would de-
tract from the yalor and worth of the
rebel chieftain, and in another, through
overweight zeal, rank him above Alex
ander, Hannibal, Caesar and Napoleon,
yet time, which makes all things even,
while assigning him a proper niche in
history, will not dim the purity of his
character or the glory Of his military
prowess.
When news nfthe death Of Stonewan
Jackson reacb0d England a movement
arose among persons who took an inter-
est In the struggle to show the English
sympathy for the hero by a statue. A
small committee was formed, of which
Mr.. j. H. Beresford Hope, NJ. P, was
Treasurer, and Mr.. Gregory, NJ. P, now
the Right Honorable W. H. Gregory,
Governor Of Ceylon, Secretary. Among
the members Of the committee were the
late Marquis of Lothian, Lord Arthur
Hill Trevor, Mr.. Street, the architect,
and other we'll known personages. Sub
scriptiOns were raised sufficient for a
standing statue, and the work was IN
trusted to the distinguished sculptor,
John r. Foley, r. A. III health on Mr..
Foley's part, and 4 desire to make the
likeness as perfect as possible, pIotTact-
ed the work. When 1t was first started
the projectors had the advantage of the
advice Of the late James N. Mason, who
procured from Virginia the best photo
graph he could get. When Gen. Brad
ley johnson was IN England two years
ago, and the work was near completion,
be provided another photograph, which
caused further delay and improved the
likeness. About the time Of Mr..
Foley's death, last fall, the work was
completed for casting, and, beingOther-
wise perfect, it has been no doubt car
RED out with as much finish IS il the
lamented sculptor had lived Ito super
intend it. The works of a deceased
artist are allowed 20 be exhibited ia
the Royal Academy for a year after
his death, and when the academy Gloss,
about the lst of August, the statue WI.
be sent TO Virginia. Mr.. Der sford
Hope having made the tender Of this
magnificent gift to the State through
Gov. Kemper, the Legislature voted
$4,000 TO defray the expense Of trans
pOrtation, pedestal, and the ceremonies
of Inauguration. The pedestal viii be
of Virginia granite, and a conspicu-
GUS position has been selected IN the
capitol grounds at Richmond, where
the ceremonies Will, it is expected,
take place during the State Fair, in
October next.
The statue, which is in bronze, bears
a striking resemblance TO the original.
The tall, muscular figure, high cheek
bones, broad forehead and firm lips
faithfully portray the man, austere and
religious yet gentle and trustful-the
stern fatalist who yet in the Lour of
trial implored the guidance Of PrOvi-
dence, with passion subservient to
reason, impulse controlled by disci-
pline, the slaves master, yet the slaves
teacher and spiritual guide, the str ct
yet the broad philanthrO-
pist, reticent IN speech yet open and
in manner. Worthy IS 1t alike
Of the master and the hero.