The sun., 1878-06-13
THE CLOSING SCENE.
Mr.. Bryane. Ln.. Pebble Appearance.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN--Sir II was
MS orator at tho Inauguration OF tho Mazzini
monument in tho Central Park. on the after
noon OF Wednesday fortnight ago. that Mr..
Bryant was last seen in public. As amcmbcr Of
the Mizzini Committee. had made the propO-
sition. which WAS at once adopted. that he should
be- selected as tho orator OF tho day. At tho
hour Of the Inauguration the rays of the sun
were oppressive and depressing. When |
reached tho platform. beside the new monu-
ment. ! found Mr. Bryant seated at the front
part Of II. and facing tho multitude gathered
to assist in tho ceremony. His venerable
and fragile figure attracted every eye.
The chairs beside him were occupied
by members OF tho committee, ono OF
whom shaded his head with an umbrella.
when Mr.. Bryants timo to speak had come,
after the monument had been presented to tho
city by Signor CorradI and accepted by Mayor
Ely he rose nmbly amid the welcoming ap-
plause Of the spectators. and again his heal
now uncovered, was shaded by u friendly um
brella, His voice was low, but irm and clear
az he began:
History my friends has recorded the deeds Of Giuseppe
Maz1im tablet which will endure while the annals
rcrretuating his memory, and today bust unveiled
which will make millions familiar with the divine image
stamped the councnancc Of one Of the greatest men
of our times
He proceeded without raising his voice to n
hlgner pitch. or aiding TO the force with Wfllcn
he had opened. Accustomed ~ | have long
been TO his public addresses. was surprised
and delighted with tho felicity OF his language.
the freshness Of his thought, and the generosity
of his sentiments. Age nor experience had
dimined his enthusiasm for liberty, or his ap-
probation of its heroes and martyrs. He called
up his "reminiscences Of old-tinc travel in Italy.
and CAV" that picturesque sketch Of the country
which charmed those who heard IL. He had
spoken about fifteen minutes when he reached
the apostrophe with which he closed his adj
drcss. The austerity and sublimity Of the
thought. the scene, and the moment SEIZED his
soul He stepped out from tho shade OF the
umbrella. aud gazed up NJ the colossal bust ol
Mazzini. while the fierce white sun snotc iu
upon his aged head aud figure. His face, with
ts snow white beard. shone responsive to tho
shining sun in presence Of the Image; he stood
in erect AMI heroic attitude: his withered
locks nu,tcred in the gentle brccze that nut-
tered the foliage OF the adjacent trees; his
voice swellcd till 1t rescmbled the low
mellow sound Of u trumpet; his frame seemed
to expand in the light; and, fragile and slight
though his figure was. he appeared for n feet
ing instant Ike unto some ANTIQUE god OF thc,
clouds and OF time thus II was ami then II
was. that he closed his brief orAtion with the no-
bic apostrophe which may well stand rs his last
words on earth;
he renuwn oi thy oryiml Remain remain Tor aers vet
remain uli tac day shall dawn-lar distant thoush It may
,ha be acknowledged BY all the races oi mankind.
As he stepped back. his frame seemed tc
shrink and his energy to wanc. and, recalling
| the moment and his movement AMI manner, II
! il cnsv ~ hrli.yr what oven then thought that
/ he had bron smittrn by tho sun whose passion
| hc had just. with unveiled head. confronted
Not he listened very int"ntly to the brief Italian
! speech 10y Sigu1r Caro- That was next in order
and remained on the platform til the close o
| thr ceremonies.
| was among the two or three friends VIII
| Just then salut'd him. As We Joined hands. h.
! p"ered into my fnc". pccrod 80 inquiringly ant
curious.y. rs though trying To recognize my
| identity. that at once noticed the dimness o
| his eyes. the peculiarly gaunt favor Of his Wis
| age. and the tremulousnesS oi his frame. liz
| appeared tO bo somewhat absent nied. an,
| hnt n Tow words nussnd from his iipe Presently
| he left tine platform In the company OF one e.
! his acluainmnces. and a few minutes after
| ward the accident occurred which deprived hin
Of Consciousness. and from which he never re
| covered. j. ).