New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-25
THE STATUE of WASHINGTON.
MR.. WARDS IDEA AND HOW He HAS
WORKED IT OUT-THE MEMORIAL STONE.

The statue of Washington which is to be I'M
yelled tomorrow the steps of the Sub-IrcaSury
building in Wall-st. Is the work of John Q. A.
Ward. The figure is Of colossal size, being about
- feet inches in height and weighs $500 pounds.
The pedestal on which it will stand is about six
feet in height, and what may be called the ros-
trum on which the pedestal is placed, is about
feet above the street level This and the pedestal
were designed by Richard NJ. Hunt. Washington.
in the statue supposed to be in the act OF taking
the oath of office. The left foot is slightly adj
vanced and the right hand is extended The left
hand rests on the hilt of his sword. The figure
is dressed in the costume of the period
open coat. long waistcoat. knee breeches
and stockings, with low-cut shoes and buckles.
Around the neck is the OldfashiOned cravat. Frlls
are displayed at the shirt front aud mtfcs at the
wrist. The body is erect and the head is held high.
The features express calm dignity and power. They
are without that somewhat vacant wooden ex-
preston which is seen in of the representa-
tons of the Father Of his Country To the right of
the figure is short column offasces, which rests
an open Bible. A military cloak hangs from the
left shoulder and partly conceals the left arm, af-
fordng a mass of drapery for background.
Mr.. Ward began his studies for the statue about
two years ago. To assist him he had a small model
made on an exact scale of the front of the building
The statue in clay completed about the end of
August last and the casting in bronze finished
few weeks ago at the foundry of Henry X Bon
nard No. 237 Merccr-st. 1t was cast i'll see
TONS
Mr.. Ward was seen at his studio, No. 119 West
Ffty-secOnd-st., yesterday. in working costume.
Speaking of the statue he said AS Il study for the
features l have used the portraits by Stuart and
HoudOn, and got most assistance from the latter.
| have sought to give to the features of
Washington an expression in conformity with his
character and the circumstances in which no is de-
picted How far have succeeded is for others to
Judge. have intended that his expression should
reflect the natural dignity of his character and a
due appreciation of the solemnty of the occasion,
but have endeavored to avoid any ostentatiously
dramatic expression, because anything of that sort
would be atutter variance with what we know of
| his character.
The selection of site for the statue was the sub
joct of much consultation Some wanted it placed
on one of the abutments The site selected was ro-
garded by some as a too bold innovation and
liable to impede the progress of pedestrians
mounting the steps. To find out how far that fear
might be well grounded, for two hours ono day |
watched those entering the building. found that
with about only two exceptions all who went into
the building mounted the steps diagonally. The
exceptions were TWO messenger boys who stopped
at the foot of the steps to purchase peanuts at the
stand stationed there. The building is well
adapted for statuary and allegorical figures. 1t is
not unreasonable to assume that in future years
statues will be placed on the two abutments and
between the columns, and that the pediment will
also BIO ornamented But in the position that has
been assigned to it the figure of Washington viii
always be the central figure.
| "A light railing will be put around the rostrum
and it may sometimes DO used by public speakers.
! The politician W ho could lie with the statue of
! Washington overlooking him and on the stone ON