Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-10-05
GREAT MONUMENT OF GERmANIA
How the Colossal Work was Projected
md Carried Into Execution.

How the Colossal Work was Projected
md Carried Into Execution.
Soon after the victories OF the Germans in
1901, when all NJ the German states were
united In one powt ful empire, it was deter
mined to perpc,uste he event by the erection
of great national memorial, which was un-
yelled on Friday with great ceremony. The
project was proposed by Herr Ileyl, supclin-
tendent of the Royal Bath at Wcisbaden
Emperor William patronizcd and supported
the project, and contributions flowed in from
all over the nation. A number of sculptors
were requested to submit models for the
monument.
That offered by the celebrated professor,
DR.. Johannes Schilling of Dresden, was
judged to be the best, and in 1874 he receiv-
ed the order for the monument which il was
determined TO erect at the Neidcrwald, near
| Ruedesheim, spot celebrated for the beauty
| Of its scenery. The foundation of the monu-
inent was laid September 1G. 1877, with i'm
posing ceremony.
The place on which the monument is
| erected is called "Voglers Ruh." 1t stands
on great height, and the approach from the
Ruedeshelm side is difficult. Great trouble
was found in transporting the building ma
terial, and the convey lance of single man
moth sandstone often took several days. The
foundation extends 1917 feet under the soil,
and the whole structure including the pedes-
tai, is 80 feet high. The cost of this portion
of the monument is about 100, 900 marks, or
S25, 900. The pedestal, rising from artifi-
cial rocks, overlooks the forests of the Nieder-
valid.
The pedestal of the monument bears the
following inscription SIN remembrance of
the war of the whole German nation in 1870
II. Peace at Frankfurt, October 8, 1871"
Then follow the names of the regiments and
the battles in which they participated and
the words spoken by Emperor William when
the foundation stone was laid.
From the foundation stairs ascend 10 a
balcony, the base of the artistic part of the
monument. Here, TO the left on a high pc
des.al stands colossal statue of Mars, the
energy. In the right hand the figure grasps a
sword, as though in the act of striking,
while in the other hand is trumpet held to
the lips, with which to sound the war cry.
Flames are represented issuing from the top
of the helmet and the expression of the eyes
and face is one of vengeance mingled with
confidence
The companion figure to the right is an
allegory of Peace, a graceful youth full of
tranquility with the symbocal olive twig in
one hand, u cornucopia of fruits and flowers
in the other, and prophesying the blessing of
peaceful progress aid labor. Each of these
figures is eighteen feet high. The helmeted
head OF Mars alone measures four feet, and
the trumpet which the god of war holds IN
his hands is almost eight feet in length.
Between the two statues Of Mars aud of
Peace, along the whole front of the immense
base, on which the head figure of "Germana'
stands, is a large relief plate showing about
200 figures is life size, among them the
Emperor, the Crown Prince, Prince Bis
marck, Count Mcltke, and all the other
German princes aud generals who took part
in the war. Emperor William sitting on
horseback, is seen in the centre of the groups.
He has just passed through portal dccorat-
ed with the flags and arms of the confederat-
cd States and of the three free cities of Ger
many. In the foreground, on both sides, are
standing the leaders of the German army,
their chief of staff ; in the background the
leaders of the different divisions of the army
and squads of infantry, cavalry, artillery,
etc.
Beneath these groups of figures are en-
graved the five verses of the song 'Die
Wacht am Rhcin." Above the place hovers
the German imperial eagle with outspfead
wings On each side of the base two most
graceful bronze plates Of smaller size arc
seen, which represent "The departure and re-
turn of the warrior" Beneath the great re-
lief stands a colossal group representing
Father Rhine handing to the youthful Mos
ellie the horn on which TO sound the warcry.
1t required nine months TO cast the group,
which weighs not less than 10000 pounds.
The head figure, "Germania," from the
foot to the tip OF the hand of the appraised
arm, is Al feet. The weight is $50 tons.
The figure stands US though just arising from
her huge throne, whose arms represent two
enormous eagle heads, of which the bodies
form part of the back. The head of the
figure is turned to the right, as if watching
the Rhine. A laurel wreath adorns her head,
from which long loose hair waves in the
breeze. In the appraised right hand she holds
a crown, surmounted with laurel, while with
the left she leans on sword, which brought
her victory. A culrass, decorated with the
imperial eagle, shields her breast and displays
below the arms loose shirt of mail. This
shirt, with its various meshos, rests loosely
and softly at the arm.
The gigantic figure is envcoped in drapery
which falls in luxurious folds from the belt,
adorned with lions head. The imperial
mantle is ornamented with doves, stays,
eagles and precious stones in embroidery.
There are numerous statues of Germania
Ill eAlsleuCe, Dut Inc Onc Vi tHc nullOuul
monument cxcels them all in dealty and
dignity. Professor Seedlings is said to have
modelled the face for the statue after the fea
lures of his eldest daughter. In the interior
of the base Of the back ten couples can dance
with ease.
The expense of casting and mounting the
statue amounts to $4,000. The cost of the
entire monument is estimated at the sum of
776, 900 marks, but it seems doubtful wheth-
er this will cover the expenses The statue
of the God of War was erected by voluntary
subscriptions, the statue of peace by the
subscriptions of the college students and
pupils of the art academies and other schools
The great relief was presented by the many
singing societies.