New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-08-30
growth of the colonies, and as such no doubt all
Of them will in the end recognize and subscribe
GRANTS -WHAT SHALL 1T Beg

| to it.
| op tvT,s uEUORIAL-WHAT SHALL 1T BEf
Tbe progress of the Grant Monument Fund
10 slow Many who are likely to be liberal con-
trihutors are still out of town, and those VINO
are here, having so lately responded 10 private
appeals for the payment OF Generai oranes
nby scians and also to the public call Tor the
Bartholdi pedestal, are taking nttie rest,
Undoubtedly a.sum will ultimately DE rameo
omblv sufficient for proper memorial. This
gives renewed interest to the recent discussion
in The North american ReUie,C as to what that
memorial shall be =,
The answers given are none the
less suggestive, indeed they have an espe-
cial value, because they are not elaborate
studies but record of the thoughts that
spontaneously suggested themselves to trained
minds when the subject was suddenly pre-
sented. One of the eight writers advises that
we 90 back to Old Greece, the prime fountain
of art. for our model, and erect COPY Oh the
Partbenon on ClaremOnt Hill, gauging It's
dimensions by the amount OF subscriptions
received The proposition to build as big a
portbenon rs we can for the money has comic
nbase which the serious nature of the problem
cannot altogether disguise. And then the
perfect flower of an architecture developed un-
der G -ecan skies might wear an uncomiortably
exotic lool, in one of our December sleet
storms There is, too, suggestion OF lhcon-
gruity in the Landingof Hendrick Hudson-in
bronze-on the gable of the Temple OF DIANA.
Americans will hardly be content TO commem-
crate an epoch in their history by the repro
duction of foreign work, however perfect 1t
may be.
A mausolenm of Doric severity, solid, dome
crowned. surmounted by an allegorical statue,
with an open crypt within the mortuary temple
containing massive sarcophagus upon which
the spectator can look down-these are the
essentials of another design; while apart from
the tomb on a circle of greensward is to stand
an equestrian statue of the hero. The figure
of Grant. equipped for war, upon his horse,
exact in portraiture and OF colossal size, Is
the predominant feature of still another design.
This is to be surrounded by statues, has reliefs
and inscriptions the motive of the whole being
triumphant, as that of Rauch's Frederick at
Berlln. Portrait statues form essential parts
of two other designs, but in either case the
sculptor's work is to be set within structure
of imposing character. In one instance the
only suggestion as to the form OF the archl-
tectural work is an expressed preference Tor
skyline like that of the dome of the Hotel des
Invaides. while in the other the canopy Is to be
lofty tower, four square, with buttressed
arches through which the statue could be seen
from all sides.
One noticeable advantage of statue beneath
vaultcd roof would be that the art of the
sculptor and of the architect could be made
mutually helpful. The statue would give
additional effect and significance to the build
ing while appearing itself to better advantage
when its lines are brought into harmony with
those of the surrounding structure. Such a
structure would afford room and give reason
for interior decoration of the richest character
while mt the same time depending for exterior
effect upon massveness and simplicity. The
advantages of its commanding position would
be lost if the memorial were not of such height
and dimension that Il could be seen from n
distance, ard upon that exposed and almost
stormy prOmontory strength and dignity OF
expression would be more suitable than any
airy gracefulness of outline. Indeed the sturdy
virtues of the dead demand for their rightiui
commemOratiOn a monument whose embodied
thought is solidity, steadiastness and sim
plicity.
What shall it be Every age ana every
country has furnished examples of memorials
reared in honor of great men and great deeds
The successes have been few. the failures
many The list of monumental works which
the world chcrishes among its priceless art
treasures il soon told. Designers OF the
highest inspiration appear only at rare
intervals. And yet what is now most to be
feared is not that creative genius for the work
at hand is lacking, but that judcious effort
will not be made to bring out the best thought
of the best mind and to recognize and accept 1t
as the best when it seeks expression. The
hideous statues in many of our cities do not
prove that we have no seulptOrs worthy OF the
name but that the work of the worst, through
caroessness or ignorance, favortism or
iobbery, is thrust into prominence. The
Memorial Committee has something to do
besides collect the necessary funds. There is
but one way to provide against a costly failure,
and that Is to ntrust the selection of design,
beyond any power of scheming TO override their
decision. to men of recognized taste and train
ing in architectural wOrk-men whose dearest
possession is their reputation among their peers
in the Republic of Art
HOIIDdY RECREdTJON