The National tribune., 1883-12-20
AS OTHE RS SEE US.
The Bartholdi Statue---MOnument to
Lafayette---FreGeh Traits.
special Correspondents National Tribune.


yea, travelling IN Europe in the year 1853, he
would hardly have continued to wish fer that
gift which the gods in his own day withheld
from mankind It is now only too easy to see
ourselves as others see us, not individually
perhaps, but as a nation as u people whose ae-
tivity and prosperity makes us conspicuous
more than our social and moral qualities make
us beloved. Indeed, the frankness with whieh
otherwise weli-brad Europeans express critical
views of America in conversation with Amer
leans, might almost be regarded as an Offset to
the old charge that Americans as race are
boosters and braggarts. The accurate knowi-
edge OF American affairs and the just apprecia-
ton OF American institutions, which usually
characterize these criticisms. produces two dif-
ferent effects upon the listener They oblige
him to admit 10 himself at least, whether or
not he may choose to confess the same 10 the
European critic !! that in the American life
which publishes itself in transatlantic dis
patches and correspondence, and becomes
known in Europe through tho experience of
foreigners among us, there is nuch,veF much,
to regret; and the prevailing accuracy fur
Their serves to throw into sharp relief the oc-
easional misconceptions which are TO be met
with.
True, it is not many weeks since reflective
young English woman asked citizen Of New
York how we can possibly manage affairs in
America, when we have the capital Of the
country on such an inconyenient island as
Manhattan out in the sea. But that was an
exceptional case of stupid ignorance, which was
characteristic of the state OF the English mind
concerning America thirty years ago much
more than it is of the same English public
mind at present. A much more noteworthy
mistake Is that which constantly comes up in
conversation concerning the state of public
education in America in which it is usually
assumed that, in the work of elementary edu-
cation, we are far in advance Of the European
countries. In England and Germany intelIi-
gent persons, unless they have made recent
careful study of the subject, usually believe
that we have universal and compulsory educa-
ton. Under these circumstances, the thought
of the vast negro population OF the South and
the large foreign population in such Northern
and Middle States that have no efficient compGl-
sorry law, IS by no means refreshing. Another
prevailing mistake is the belief that every
thing Is costlier in America than in Europe.
Sweeping assertions are dangerous iii this con-
nection, of course, as in any other, but, ia
speaking of the middle States as compared
with England, it is certainly safe TO say that
meat, -four, fruit, vegetables, and milk are
quite as cheap in America; that books. news
papers, postage, and railroad fares are decidedly
cheaper and that for good shoes and ordinary
fabrics for common wear there is little or no
difference. These are the chief mistakes with
ton with intelligent Europeans. The excel
lence of our general primary education IS over
estimated, which is humiiating, and the cost
of living is exaggerated, which is uuimportant.
There is. on the other hand an exasperat-
ingiy accurate knowledge among Europeans Of
the defects and scandals pf our Government,
general and local; of our book-Dirating pro-
pensities, and want Of an international copy
right law of the woTthlessness Of our collegi-
ate degrees of the ease with which uneducated
/ persons enter the learned professions and the
objectionable enthusiasm with which several
Europeans who are justly despised in their
own country have been received in America.
+ There is, moreover, a widespread and only too
! just belief, that we are too much absorbed in
money-getting to be duly awake to cur own
/ highest interests, and that for this reason our
I literature aud our social life are in many re-
spects poor and crude while the whole national
/ life is by no means that which the founders Of
/ the Government believed that their children
/ would make Of the noble heritage bequeathed
/ to them. In short, there is widespread
1 frankly expressed opinion that We are not, as
/ youthful nation, to-day fulfilling the promise
I of our infancy. In material prosperity; IN in
/ dustry, commercial talent and energy, we are
| OF course, marvellous, unique; but other thing:
/ also were expected of Us.
| THE BARTaoLDT STATUE
A FOR al hLlErlCISn WHO ID IIFllatcQ ny b1t
consciousness of this state of feeling on tht
part of the people among whom he is living
| and who knows in the depths Of his conscious
| ness that he cannot truthfully deny any o
| these accusations but can only say Have
patience with US we are very young" theF'
is one keen pleasure attainable IN Paris. HI
can go to the neighborhood of the Pare Mon
ceau and look at the statue of Liberty whicl
/ Monsieur Bartholdi is making as a gift Of thi
of view is this visit pleasure. The statue i
fun of dignity and beauty, and is sufficiently
complete to make its mere presence pleasure
There is also pleasure in examining the pro
casses and models which are here open to scTu
tiny and there is profound comfort in reflect
ing upon the spirit which animate5 the nation
in the work OF preparing this superb gift To-
America.
The idea has long possessed Monsieur Bar
thoidi that, as in New York harbor all TIL
ships Of the world sooner or later come to an
cher, figure of Liberty placed there as
Lighthouse w0ald have an especially signifcaR
meaning; and the great number of small
models. each a slight improvement upon tn
last, which may be seen in the studio, shO7
how patiently and how faithfully he has la
bored to express his ideal of Liberty. Som
idea of the size of the completed statue is, Q
course, implied in the fact that it is to serve q
lighthouse; bat, in spite of this, | had II
appreciation of it's vast height until | saw, hig
above the roof OF one Of the six stored hotel
which face the Pare Monceau, the great, cali
face of the statue against the sky. The sculp
tors studio is a workshop built at the base 9
the statue, the whole standing ia an open spac
near the Pare Moueeau. The workshop is a
entertaining place. it is occupied by wOrkme
whom Monsieur Bartholdi has himself traine
! to their work, and by large fragments of tn
statue in various stages of progress Severe
large tubs in one corner contain metal which, 10
some unexplained reason is more easily tran:
ported when hammered into tubs than yhe
left in sheets, In other corners are plaste
casts and wooden shaping blocks, which, TO tn
eye of the initiated, are shapeless, but whle
; mean to the workmen perhaps q hand, pen
haps a giant fold of drapery. in the center
the great plaster cast of the last portion of th
statue which now remaius TO be finishes
} Over this cast half dozen ioiners are fttin
pieces of wood. When the wooden envel0I
is fitted exactly, land the whole work is don
with minute mathematical precision,l ii
plaster will be destroyed, and the last piece
metal will be hammered over its wooden shal
} ing block until every little fold of draper
: answers exactly the artists purpose. Then I'll
, finished piece of metal viii be fitted into
place In the statue and fastened at the edg
with hundreds of strong little bolts to Il
, edges of the adjacent pieces of metal. BE
, these small bolts at the edges OF the piec'
| would be but q poor security against I'll
storms to which the statue will be su
!. iected when its quiet resting place in Par
is exchanged for the post of lighthouse
:. New York harbor and every piece of metal
= Al o.. AE1 f,rrx wy