New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-26
DEDICATING A FOUNTAIN.
ID. WILLIS JANfESS GIFT TO THE CITY
EXERCISES IN UNION soUARE-MR. JAMEss SPEECH
THE MAYORS ACCEPrANCE-OTHER AD-

d. WILLIS JAMES'S GIFT TO THE CITY.
EXERCISES IN UNION soUARE-MR. JAMEs's SPEECH
THE MAYORS ACcErrANcE-oTHER ADJ
DRESSES.
city of the bronze fountain, the gift of d. Willis
James, took place yesterday afternoon in Union
Square The fountain stands near the sidewalk on
the west side of the square about midway between
its upper and lower borders. During the early part
about o'clock, the hour appointed for the opening
Of the exercises; the sun STRUGGLED through the
concealed from view by drapery of flags there
was platform for the use of the speakers, and a
Grace, d. Willis James, Park commissioners Lane,
Hitchcock, fS s. L Prime, Newman, Howard c Crosby,
and Deems; William Z. Dodge jp., Royal Phelps,
Hoe. jr, and Morris X. Jesup. Commissioners Lane
presided and with few remarks presented Mr..
WG S e T hase as AZ
Mr.. PRESIDENT, Mr. MAYOR, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:
number Of years ago o. my ny. valued
the late Theodore RooseveltNand had planned to unite
fountain, believing that it would have useful be-
inefficient ministry; His lamented death prevented the
lays, the privilege of bringing to completion the plan
bronze now to be uncovered shall give to citizen any
part of the pleasure it has given to to have 1t
Ing in any heart that spirit of it is
intended to illustrate shall indeed be more than com
Mr. Mayor, the official representative OF the City of
the privilege of presenting this fountain now to be u-
Prime pr posed rllreo cheers for Mr.. James, which
| were given: Mayor Grace then formally accepted
| the gift. lie said:
accept, at your hands, this fouatan, the usefui-
m S' bc%ny Much 0Ss the city S tn pr2o yoar @
sir it must prize sill more the spirit in which
loving citizenship and which would see New.York
| % mo
sweet from its be drunk in the presence of genuine
work of art given by who loves our city. Zap
| plauscl
| Professor j. Leonard Corning, of Morristown, n
| j. was next introduced and gave a history of the
conception OF the fountain and the execution of the
| work by the artist He spoke in part rs follows
Nearly five years have elapsed since little company
hotel and under the leadership Of one y the trio whose
J W"lnS We h@To Of n 10, 'o
should realize the tleefod intent contributing the
cacniHg lesson Of religion and SaItiSang heath thy
appreciation OF art Not many days subsequently the
important twothiris cmigraing to the south OF France
ing IN the city ol stuttgart In tns beautiful capital of
the little kingdom OF Wnremberg resides Professor
Wilhelm Won Lubkc, well known all over Europe aud
America likewise, as the most popular of living his
study, Professor Adolf ndorf Just then Installed as
head OF the Department OF Sculpture ia the Art Academy
Iubke's recommendation II was settled that the young
| artist who competed the Luther monument ut Worms
after the death OF tine great Rieschei should make
| small model in clay of a drinking fountain.
|
forming you that the sculpors own wife and child stood
true that the original model OF the baby grew his
proper size before the clay group finished. n
numerous generation OF little Donndors coming
upon the stage In normal procession for years and
when the frat nOic for the baby in had eot into
snort clothes, there another live specimen hand
whose dimensions were exactly right As TO the other
little running by the mothers side, happen know
that city OF nearly hundred thousand mhabitants
was searched for model Of comeiiucss ana lautCss
anatomy little hoy al fortunate ptreutapc, famed
ideal grace OF form, stood Tor tins third OF the
| group before us.
The speaker concluded by relating the vicissi-
tudes OF the arts, before he completed his model II
beng broken accidentally several tnncs The OK.
ercises closed with address by The Rev. Dr.
| Hitchcock.
The fountain, which faces west consists OF a
! children-a bronze pedestal anu a granite basa
The mo her, who Is represented in the act OF walk
ing Is tully draped. She carries u naked child on
| her right arm, and in her left hand at her side n
| pitcher, which an elder child has seized with his
| arms as II he wished 10 carry il. the mother
| looks down at her with u sino. The pedcs ]
IL abont three feet and half wide and octa gona
In shape. Large lions heads urc III high rclief on
The paneilcd sides and the water plays out 81 heir
mouths FcstGms Of flowers fruits lizards butter
lies and dragon-iileS III rciiof serve to ornDnrni the
sides of the 30 icsta ! he base juts on below the
fonr smaller sides of the pedestal in buttre 5ses
which enclose the upper row o. circular light OF
three steps. The total height of the WORK IL cig
| leon ipet