The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-11-08
RICHMOND, November 5. 1877.

| ".s.. RICHMOND, November 5, 1877.
Editors Dispaich: cannot leave your
beautiful city, with the many associations OF
| the past week, without word or two in re-
gard to the one central point OF attraction
to strangers. The Senate chamber, in which
the Lee models are now on exhibition, has
been thronged Of course with visitors, and
among them I have myself enjoyed the
privilege Of observing the conceptions OF
the different competitors. AS entered the
room was at once surprised and diverted
| by the eager artists, each present TO herald
his own genius, and manifestly ready to re-
sent the least approach to commendation OF
any specimen ,t0t his O1cn, and to pity the
! ignorance which could pause even to glance
at any model but the one which he was OF
course fully persuaded was exactly what it
ought to be.
The likeness Of Traveller" the old war
horse. rs portrayed in ''No. o. is indeed ad-
mirable and the model Immediately next to
it cNo. 1927, though unfortunately in
iurcd in transportation, is not without good
points. Next to this stands "No. r." a
handsome monument, and perhaps better
placed for observation than any other in the
room. The horse, though lacking fire, is
well executed, and the rider, as likeness,
is by far the most admirable reproduction
OF "Robert L. Lee" that is presented.
"No. s." which stands just next, is GER
tainly very well conceived, and seems the
result of careful study. The pronounced re-
pose OF the figure is its most striking char
actcristic, and is in good contrast to the
spirit OF the charger, which is well depicted.
From the whisperings Of the parties most
empowered in this matter one would fancy
that the man and his characteristics were to
be subordinatcd wholly to the merits Of the
steed. II this be so, then "No. 8" would
certainly commend itself most strongly to
public favor; the horse in this model
being most superb animal, closely re-
sembling the one which now stands on the
apex Of the Washington monument, in the
Capitol Square.
There is an unnumbered monument
standing directly in the bend in which
Though most unfortunately placed) the
light OF genius speaks and breathes as il
does to my mind in no other. The horse is
full OF fire; the position-throWn back on
the launches, and restrained by the iron
hand OF the great soldier who held every
thing that came within his influence in
check by his calm, superb willis original
and striking. The face Of the man is rather
more careWorn and triie less set in its
manifestIy portrays the calm Of self-control
as opposed to the calm Of Indifference that
it is much to be preferred. The base is
handsomely decorated with relieU0s OF de-
cided ideal beauty. The figure OF Virginia
weeping for her lost hero, with spear re-
yersed, with broken cannon, and the Bill OF
Rights rolled in her hand, Is beautiful
and appropriate. On the reverse side is
another tine relieUo Of .'Fame" inscribing
the name OF Lee" at the head Of an Illus
trious roll. [This figure is, however, COM
petcly hidden against the railing.] The
whole sentiment OF this monument is such
that were 1 Virginian / should choose
this artist as the tittest messenger to the fu-
ture OF all that was implied in that brief
but glorious struggle Of which Robert E..
Lee stands before the world as the type and
leader. The unconquerable will, the proud
spirit, the unfinchln@ endurance, the pride
that accepted inevitable defeat, that made
no moan over lost fortunes and disappoint-
ed hopes, breathes in that warrior figure
with Virginia weeping his fate, but count
ed still by fame worthy name aud place
among her most illustrious. This monu-
| ment is par excellence the conception OF
one who was himself Virginian and SOL
dier; who followed the great chieftain in
! battle, ana, as loyal parClcipanC In the
struggle, caught the true spirit OF its hero.
" He that ruleth his own spirit is greater
than he that taketh a city," This sem
| tence, so titly inscribed on the base Of this
monument, contains within itself a history
OF Lees whole career, and the keynote OF
his truest greatness. He that "taketh O
CITY" may indeed win the worlds glory and
its fullest measure of renown; but he who
ruleth his own spirit and the turbulence OF
those around him is often in defeat the
truest victor still.
There are other models OF which have
every inclination to speak; but however
greatly the matter may interest us, one and
all, you cannot permit it to monopolZe your
columns, or 50 much OF daily. L. Il. l..
We publish the foregoing because we con-
cur in very few of the writer's opinions.
We have not thought that the models ought
to be criticised in the public Journals. Those
who are competent critics ought to forbear,
since their dictum would go far towards in
fluencing the committee which is to award
the making Of the statue; and the incompe-
tent ought to hold their peace because they
are incompetent. We belong to the latter
class; yet we would wager "summat y that
our correspondent has totally missed the
mark.