Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1879-06-06

MR.. 7. C. .PPLErON's SUGGESTION.
Mr.. I. e. Appleton is one of the Boston
Appletons, gentleman of wealth and cal
ture, and az enthusiast in matters Of art
and especially of Greek art. His rccer; let
ter to the secretary o. the Bennington Bat
tie Monument Association already alluded
to in our columns, is as follows:
Boston, May |, 1879.
Mr.. CHARLES VI. BLIss-Dear Sir re-
| Turn as requested the papers YOU enclosed and
forwarded To me. Though know very little
ofthe proposed project 10 erect a monument in
COMMUNICATION of the Victory at Bennington,
can see that your association desires that il
should not be mere mechanical work, but
significant and genuine.
The association must find some WAY Ia ac-
rom2liSh this, although. since, as YOU say. in
SEPARATION cannot be- predicted or made to order,
II may he difficult. To have YOUR memorial
original would he Il great thing; TO have ii
beautiful would be still more important; To
have II both i felicity not often permitted 10
man.
have just been reading In the book of 4
traveller III Greece, of his discovery of a gigan-
tie lion, half buried in the earth, 4 monument
To the Greeks who delayed near Olympia the
successful invasion of Philip. 1t seemed, the
traveller thought, 10 express all that was need
th- LINT az 'rltth monuments DUN WIS MOI
considered necessary for effect; in fact, mere
size di>pcr>cs effect and cndcaVorS 10 convey
by matter what should be aidressed 10 the
mind.
The Victory at Bennington was 50 impo rtant
that the monument should try 10 express hv
some emblem its significance something
which goes straight 10 the brhOlder'S apprehcn-
sion. But with Us GENERALLY, size j. indi-pens-
able 10 effect; and size often means expense
and nothing else. Cannot the Idea of the event
of Stark'S victory and the causes which led TO
II and the result, which Immediately followed
it, decisive A. these were of the fate of Bur
goyne'- army and thus OF American indepcnl-
cnce. bc best expressed by some trophy full OF
meaning: Will moi the moderate amount OF
money You Will have be best expended in some
such way:
We haVca noble shaft on Bunker Hill; il
Violates, however, The principles of the obeli,k
IN not being 4 monuliih. The Egyptians, the
originators of the Obcli-k. never made it of
many piece. Again monument may be- very
grand and very costly, hut We cannot for these
reasons bc sure of il Success ID is the curse
of public monuments that one little mistake,
one little cNagger1ti"n will sometimes turn
silblilniiy into rldiculc. An idea occurs 10 me
which VIII ufcr a. Il suggestion. You have
beautiful marble in Vermont. If YOU were To
btlld on The crest of YOUR hill a circular temple
of not too larycr dimensions. open ON all sides
AMI supported by columns, and in the center
had group consisting of an heroic figure with
hi foot upon another figure he has over
thrown. yOu would express what vou desire
in 4 delightful WHY. The figures should be
entirely nude. simple and noble Us possible
believe Won have Sculpt0rS of your own who
might like 10 Try 10 rival Greece in such an IF
fort. am confident that people OF taste would
come from far 10 SEE 50 original Il work. when
they might only glance at 4 pillar or IN obcli-k
from the distance.
wholly appreciate the pride your aSsoci.-
ton VIII feel IN erecting an appropriate ma
iI"nal monument. You ill thus lend To focus
the patriotism of the country and Keep alive
the slorc- OF the past; and | think YOU are
WI" IN l"laN in-. ill YOU are sure You have the
right thing. BY the papers YOU have sent me
Il" not mud illi the association mas vet fixed
upon either shalt, temple or 4 statue. n
hlie~t. Think II over we'll before YOU act.
Very truly Yours.
4. G.. APPLETON.