New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-11-28
The STEEL STATUE OF BUBNS
A SCOTTISH sCuLPToR's FOUNDRY.


AND OTHERS.
lFRoM Az OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT or TIE TRIBuNEl
EDINBURGH, Nov. Am operation of consider
able interest To NEWCOMERS was to-day carried
through at the foundry of SIR John Steel. VIZ; the
casting of the first portion OF that scuptors statue
of Burns to be placed In Central Park. The part
cast consisted of the lower front Of the figure OF less
than a third of the whole. and both to all appear
ances and in the opinion of SIT John the operation
was perfectly successful. The foundry unique
among establishments of it's kind. it built by
the sculptor exclusively for the casting of his own
works and whether in regard to the purpose OF IT'S
erection or the principles of its construction and
management, It is, am told. without parallel.
The plans for il were supplied by the foreman OF
Chantrey's establishment. who also snperintended
the building and remained long afterward in Sir
Johns employ. To him also was. in a great meas
ure intrusted the training of the wOrknen now
engaged IN the foundry.
In view. more particularly. of the special busi-
ness in hand and of the destination OF the COM
pleted work. the operation and the scene amidst
which it was performed were, To me. things long 10
be remembered. The little company invited TO be
present. including Mr.. W. r. McDarmid aud Mr.
Duncan the surviving members Of the local Burns
Monument Committee, stood ranged before the
doors OF the ovens used for drying the mOuds along
rhe western end of the building. In front was the
pit IN which the mOulds were buried. and at the
other end the workmen Gifted about attending 20
the furnace and the cauldron of molten copper.
About fifteen minutes are allowed for melting tho
tin and n the blocks were flung IN The copper was
splashed in burning drops over and around Che Off
eating Cyclops. and through tne opened door
glimpse was obtained of the glowing metal w''hin.
The blocks melted RAPIDLY and fiery glow a-ain
filled the building a. the mass was stirred and the
component metals united into seething bronze
Workmen were next detailed to bring IN tie iadle,
"a monster cup supported on all ron hand-frame.
All was done quickly but without hurry. The
lade was placed in a shallow pit to receive
the allowed metal when the time came
FOR tapping the cauldron. and in The anxiety of the
moment the most trAng movement OF The grmy
workmen was watched with deep interest through
the smoky atmosphere When the statue is IN
yelled II will he commented nDon 4 work of art.
AMI few VIII think of the bare walls and blackened
rafters of a foundry, Of workmen the alert. TAX
ing up their positions IN readiness for the Outpour-
ing of the metal, of one experimenting every de
tai and moving about hitler and thther restlessly,
a. If anxious about the result. of black earth
ii he'd PIT with projecting filters. or OF little groups
of visitors listening to sir John he passed from
one TO another.
He occupied the time explaining how the moulds
we're made Of composition OF brick dust and stucco.
When the outside mould is flushed il is lined with
clay of the thickness 1t Is intended the metal shall
assume. The inside mould is taken from the clay.
winch is carefully removed on the outer and inner
moulds being separated. The latter are then placed
upon tables on wheels standing on short
line Of rails laid from rhe ovens TO
the edge Of the pit The tables are wheeled into
~. IL. Enpt Of tom nor
arnre Of about $500 until thoroughly dry They
become under the long exposure to heat so brittle
that the slightest Earring on removal might reduce
them 10 dust Hence the necessity for the rails.
On beir 2 swung into their places in the pit the
moulds are so firmly imbedded that displacement
or Welding TO the weight Of tine metal is wel-nigh
impossb e. The outer and inner moulds are placed
at distance from each other regulated By the in
tended thickness Of the bronze. which IN its liquid
state is poured into the space between them. Great
care must necessarily be taken to prevent their
touching at any point.
When the time arrived beyond which there would
have been danger of the tin flying of, and the
bronze was declared ready, a small aperture was
opened and the molten metal rushed out into the
lade in an even fiery stream. When quantity
sufficient TO fill the moulds had been withdrawn
the aperture was closed. and the ladle was swung
by means OF a crane above the pit, and tilted up
directly over the mould 70 be first filed. Again
the glowing bronze ran out as smoothly "a water
without undue spluttering. and without displace-
ment of the moulds. until 1t overlooked the filler
The adle was then swung over the second and third
moulds in succession. and both were filled without
accident or DELAY. The surplus metal was poured
into mould consisting of series of earthen bars
prepared on the surface Of the soil for It's reception
As the metal ran along the shallow trenches and
occasionally OVERLOOKING them, spread ont IN a bub-
bling mass the heat became intense, and more
brilliantly than before the building was lit up with
the rich yellow light of the liquid bronze Ii cooled
rapidly and was at once broken up. Two or three
DAYS hence the castings for the statue will he suff
GENTLY cool To be removed and that the result Will
be satisfactory can hardly be doubted.
As 10 the design. the statue NAV be expected to
proye n very material addition to the attractions of
Central Park. Sir Johns own opinion is: 81 think
II will be the work of my life" Coming from the
sculptor Of the Prince Consort. John Wilson, DR..
Chalmers Scott and Wellington statues that adOrn
the streets Of Edinburgh, these are words that are
likely to kindle a feeling Of Aattered satisfaction
among the members of the American Committee and
the citizens of New-York generally. Even allowing
little for mistaken partially, the opinion thus ex-
pressed Is corroborated by Others. and in one IN
stance in a very marked manner. The citizens Of
Dundee some time ago resolved 10 place monu-
ment to Burns IN front of the Albert Institute Of
that town. committee was appointed and waited
upon Sir John STEEL. They at his studio the
model Of the proposed New-YOrk monument. and
were so captivated by its expressive beauty that.
rather than run the risk If obtaining an inferior
original they very wisely asked and obtained the
consent Of the New-York committee to having
replica cast for Dundee. The model may be said tn
t1ar ~
seen It,
The address " To Mary in Heaven and the in
cdent. attending its composition. inspired the
sculptor with his design. IL on the evening be-
fore the third anniversary of Mary's death that
Burns grew sad. and spent the night wandering
about tne banks Of the Niih and in his farn-yard.
/. 1t far he aeo If "A stack