The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1885-05-09
Liberty Enlightenfng the
World.

This new Wonder of the World,
which is now being loaded on the
French transport Isere for shipment
to this country, is the largest statue
in the world. Some idea of its mag
nitude may be obtained from the fact
that forty persons found standing
room within the head. A six-foot
man standing on the level of the lips
only just reached the eyebrow. While
workmen were employed on the crown
of her head they seemed to be max
ing huge sugar-caldron, and they
jumped with case in and out the tip
of the nose. Fifteen people might
sit round the fame of the torch,
which elevation can be reached by q
spiral staircase within the outstretched
arm.
The London Daily News, in speak
ing of it, says; at is out and away
the largest statue of modern times.
The Colossus of Rhodes was nothing
to it. 1t could carry the 'Bravaria' or
the Hermann in its arms. 1t towers
to the skies from the yard of the Rue
de ChazeIles, where it has been eight
years in construction, and the view
from its coronet sweeps clear of the
six-story houses and beyond the walls
of Paris"
The weight of this stupendous
statue is 100000 pounds, of which
10000 pounds are copper and the
remainder wrought-iron. 1t is ex-
pected to arrive in New York about
the 25th of May, where it will be
erected on BedIoe's Island, this being
the location selected for it by Gen. w.
T. Sherman, who was appointed by
the President to make the selection.
When placed in position it will loom
up 305 feet above tide-water, the
height of the statue being 1912 feet,
that of the pedestal 81 feet, and
foundation 52.l0 feet.
This imposing statue, higher than
the enormous towers of the great
Brooklyn Bridge or the steepIe of
Trinity Church, which is the loftiest
in the city of New York, higher in
fact, than any of the colossal statues
of antiquity,-by its rare artistic pro-
portions, as well as by its stupendous
dimensions, will add another to the
Wonders of the World. A word should
be said Of its artistic merit The
pose, stride, and gesture, with its
classic face, are pronounced perfect;
the drapery is both massive and fine,
and in some parts is as delicate and
silky in effect as if wrought with
fine chisel on the smallest scale.
The conception and execution of
this great work are due to the great
French sculptor, M. Bartholdi. who
has devoted eight years of his life and
most of his fortune to this great work,
and whose generous impulses, which
must be on a scale commensurate with
this noble work, prompted him to
make such a gift to the United States
The committee in charge of the con-
struction of the base and pedestal for
the reception of this great work are in
want of funds for its completion, and
have prepared a miniature statuette,
an exact counterpart Of the original,
six inches in height, the figure being |
made of bronze, the pedestal of nickel |
silver, which they are now delivering |
to subscribers throughout the United |
States for the small sum of 81 each.
Aside from its being lasting souvenir
of this colossal statue, it will orna-
ment our homes and bear testimony |
that we have contributed to the com
pletion of one of the grandest works
of modern times. All remittances
should be addressed to Richard But
Ter, Secretary American Committee of
the Statue Of Liberty, No. 33 Mercer
Street, New York. The committee
are also prepared to furnish model,
10 same metals, twelve inches in
height, at $5 each, delivered.
We feel assured our people will be
only too eager to testify their CRATE
ful sense Of the friendliness Of this
offer on the part Of the
French people, and to reciprocaie the
kindly and liberal sentiments in which
it originated, by thus aiding in an
active prosecution of the labors that
may be required to give the statue an
base aud pedestal. Now
is the time to do.it. Whoever wishes
to have the honor and pleasure Of
to the erection Of the
grandest statue Of any age, 70 say |
nothing of the sentiment that should |
be welcomed and encouraged, must act
for the money will be raised
is sure as The sun rises. Every per-
son sending 81 will be supplied with
4 miniature counterpart of this great
and imperisbeble statue IF
LIBERTY EELIGHTEEIEG THE WoRLD,p