New-York tribune., 1886-07-07
ing up eligible property above the Park and erect
ing four-story brownstone fronts for renting
WASHINGTON IRvING's BUST.


IT ALARMS AN ELEPHANT But is DRAWN BY HIN
ON PoMBIs OAR TO SIZE IN THE PARK.
The Park Commissioners yesterday decided to
transport the bust of Washington Irving, that mas
been offered the city by DR.. Werner, from tne Az
sena where It hes been standing e.ts Snce AGO to
n temporary site in Central Park. short distance
from the Arsenal. The bust is OF bronze OF colossal
size, and is the work OF Baer, oer1ah soup paU
1t rests upon a pedestal of hammered bronze ana
the two pieces weigh several tons. Inc weiRnu anu
bulky size made the material dlihcut 10 nahnle anu
a truck from of the safe companies IN tbe e cliy
was proposed for mevng it, Superintendent CCnR-
lin solved the difficulty by saying that one Oh ms
elephants would easily draw the DUST, anu
that the funeral car vorS OF nnrnSse SS@O
car was backed down to the entrance OF the At
senal. a derrick was rugged and the bust and the
pedestal lowered upon the car. The elephant, up.
20 Saib was then led out from the herd to inspect
the car and its contents. He is one of Barnum s
largest and oldest trained elephants. Beng slghfly
indisposed when the greatest show" started on
It's travels in the spring he was committed tenn
porarily the Park. Tippo Saib is an Indian ele-
phant and is named after one of the chieftslns OF
India. He stands about ten feet high and each OF
his legs is as big good-sized tree trunk. lie IS
a good-natured and intelligent animal, and his
keeper make hlm stand on his head ana
go through a score of performances. But ne mas
the curiosity of a woman and before he VIII con-
sent to give bis strength for any purpose ne must
be permitted to inspect the job to his own satisfac-
ton.
Tippo Saib's criticism of the bust Of Irving was
not favorable. When brought up before it TIP. a.
he is called tor short. braced his feet on the ground
as if they had taken root there. and whiriing MS
trunk around him began to below III an alarming
manner. There was no apparent cause 1Or this
demonstration. The serene features OF the auth0r
looked out pleasantly from the wooden 1ralneWorh,
but the elephant refused TO come near HIM. Inc
keeper said that Tip was afraid of the bust ana ana
was suspicious that ii might be another Domol
allve and III cage Tlppo was then taken away
while the wood work was removed lie I0oked NJ
tho bust suspclousy when brought back. but soon
gathered confidence enough 70 pass his trunk over
If with great caution. satisfied that II was haln-
less the elephant permitted himself TO DC na1ncsSeti
TO The ear and easily drew II along the path a
large Gro wd followed the car and watched WIN
great interest this novel means of transportation
Several men were busy during the day placing the
bust in position. MIR. Beckman said that IT would
remain III the present place where 1T could DC seen
by The pub lc until fail when, If iavoIablc report
is made on it, the work Will be accepted ana Il
permanent place assigned II. The general CRITICISMS
| on the bust, Mr.. Beekman SAID, nave been 1aVor
able ana he thought il appeared TO better advah-
taCe in the open air than IT did III the oullhine;
| Tie inspection of the bust has been referred ny
| the Park Board to a committee which includes
| ,Iohu Iavlor Johnston, president OF the Mcropo-
| tan Museum OF Art, and several other gentlemen
! WHO are authorities IN at matters. They VISITED
the Arsenal but declined 10 pass an opinion on the
work as II was partly Concea ed by the WOodWoVk
encas;ur IL for shI pment and by Its size was out
| of proportion to the surroundings III the room.
| Nuch of the statuarv III Central Park has been
subiect to severe criticism rs unworthy any place
! there The Park Commissioners suggested that
| the Irving bust should he placed on temp Iary
SITE IN the Park as II was desired to secure care
ful criticism OF ii before any decisive action is
/ raEn