Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-04-28

require more money than they have IN
hand. anu the city of Richmond. either
as q corporation or as individuals, should
make up the greater part OF the sum.
What we have so far done has been IN
significant While we quarrelled, or at
least. argued over the site, little was
done in the way of subscribing. There
Is not city in the South that would not
in "A very brief while raise the needed
sum for the privilege Of having such a
monument in its midst. That Richmond,
when called npon, will not do Its part, 1t
is impossible to believe.
THE QUADRAyTs.
An Improvement in the Lee-monu-
ment grounds which has been agreed
upon since they were first plated IS the
rounding off OF all four corners OF tue
square at the intersection OF LON hardy
and Franklin streets.
The Richmond College authorities
have agreed with the owners OF the
Allen property that they will round off or
make a quadrant Of each of their corners
at the intersection OF the streets above
named. The college owns the corners
of the squares on both sides of Frank
lin street east of Lombardy.
PROGRESS.
The cornerstone of the Lee monu-
ment was laid on the 9th of October,
1887, when there were Introductory re-
marks by Governor Lee, prayer by Or.
Hoge. and al Grafton by Colonel Charles
Marshall. wGo was General Lees mill
tary secretary, prcfaced by a military
and civic parade of large proportions,
notwithstanding the day was dismally
wet.
It's hoped the unwilling of the statue
can take place in October OF this year,
but on that point Nercie gives no posi-
tive promise. lie does not mean to be
hurried be promises the best piece Of
work that he ever did, and says he
will not bind himself down to weeks OF
months. He is right. a monument that
is to exist, and, as we hope, be the adj
mirstiou OF ages, cannot be hastily
dashed of.
The sculptor.
Antonin Mercie is a native OF that
interesting old city Toulouse, IN the
southern part Of France. He was a
puuil OF Jouf'rov and OF Falguiere the
latter he sncaAs Of aflectionately as be
ING his master. He himself. now thai
ne has won distinction, has a number o
puuils, both among his compatrotl
aud young foreign artists. In 1868 h'
received the great pri2e IN home; IL
1872 he was made chevalier, and sever
wears later was raised to the stll
higher rank Of officer in tho Legion o
Honor. In the two expeditions OF 49,
and 1878 he Was awarded medals Tor hi
works exhibited ON those two occasions
In his Gloria Nictis Mercie IS con
Hdered to have made one OF the three o.
four finest pieces OF modern sculpture
and the noble work well deserves thi
high praise. 1t represents an lmperao
nation of Fame in beautiful woman
( Ease and grace III her movement, he
arms are clasped around dead you'll
living across her shoulder, III who's
death-orasp q broken sword typitie
the lost battle. Few works OF m
have ever been received with the sam
applause and enthusiasm as tina
with which this one was greeted by tn
/ French people. Beautiful in conception
and mastery in execution, his country
men. writhing under the Illumination o
overwhelming defeat and disaster. saw II
/ this work OF Mercie what they consider
cd an impersonation OF their belove'
/ France as still glorious in deieat-sh
cast defiance at her victorious foe. II
An incredibly short time after Its appear
ance prints of the group were scattere'
through the length and breadth of In
land. and were found alike in the hut o
the peasant and the home OF tue rich
/ The "Gloria Victis STANDS III the Mon
tholon Square in Paris.
ANOTHER FINE WORK.
Another fine work by Mercie, ana on
inspired by like patriotic feeling, wa
made for the town of Belforl and
called "Quand Merne." In this grouI
A peasant woman, aglow with patriot
fire and courage. catches and uphold
with one hand q mortally-woundeu
soldier as he falls, while with the othe
she brandishes the musket snatche'