Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-25

An equestrian statue is one of the most diff
ficult feats in sculpture. The two great
est in the world are at Venice and Copen-
hagen. Critics pronounce the Lee monu-
ment equal If not superior to any eQues-
trian statue at Paris. IL is the result OF
several years careful study. The horse alone
was n wears labor. The statue was cast III
eight sections and was six months in the
foundry. The pedestal is forty feet high,
making the total heighth sixty-one feet.
II Ia of granite almost as white as marble;
four columns Of polished blue, granite are
on either side. The base IS designed Tor
the statue of six generals who served with
Lee.
LEE IN THE SADDLE.
General Lee sits erect upon his favorite
war-horse " Traveller" His ccavalry-Doots
touch the stirrups lightly, after the man.
ner of the southern horseman. In his
strong, open face, in the hand clenching
the hat at his side. in the curved neck and
painting nostrils of Traveller" there Is
courage and dignity.
Had the committee accepted my first
design, said the distinguished sculptor at a
delightful breakfast given in his beautiful
hotel. 1T would have been the most origi-
nal if not the sublimest statue in the
world. / wished TO represent General Lee
as he passed among his dying troops on
the field of Gettysburg-t horse rearing.
the diving stretching for q last afectionate
glance Of their leader. ! do not recall in
history an incident in which defeated
general was greeted with such affection
and confidence in the very hour of disas-
ter and defeat 1t is sublime"
The Confederate troops moved noise
lessly, except by their YELL" explained the
civil engineer sent by Virginia to receive
the statue. The committee thought the
design too dramatic. They were business
men, not artists"
"Ahl" said the sculptor thoughtfully,
"they were artists, true artists. They did
not wish to revive the past"
THE SCULPTOR.
NJ. Antonia Mercie is in the prime Of life,
a typical Frenchman of medium height.
He has charmingly cordial manners. with
the simplicity inseparable from childhood
and genus. He was born at Toulouse and
his parents expected him to follow CON-
merce.
"What turned you to art?"
"Laziness." was the naive reply.
His early life was not without hardship.
He came to Paris at twenty. and three
years later received the prize of the French
school at Rome. David" was his first
important NOIhs tttOliO duQ HIcdttSl
work is the GLORIA Victus."
Paris has many of his creations. The
tomb of Louis XVIII. at st. Denis is pro-
baby the best known. Mercic is the pupil
of aliquiere. Together they have Just
completed the Lafayette statue, erected by
| Congress at cost OF $4,000. II will
be unveiled shortly at Washington,
probably on the 4th of July. Mer.
Gle is An officer Of the Legion of Honor.
He probably earns more money than any
! other sculptor IN Paris. His hotel and
atelier are ideal spots, overlooking the
beautiful gardens of the Obseryatoire
| Unlike most Frenchmen, Mercie has ira.
yelled extensively. and his home is repletC
with the art treasures of many lands. IL
his well-known bronze medallion-ths
Genius of Art"-on the facade of the
/ Louvre, facing the Seine, he has perpetu
ated the beauty of his young wife, who
died scarcely year ago, leaving him two
! children.
LEES FEET.
The eldest, a handsome boy of sever
years, already evinces the fathers talent.
The first model of the Lee monument
occupies pedestal of honor in his classi,
studio.
"The General had the smallest feet.
said Mercic, taking from behind A gobellni
tapestry the cavalry boots worn at Gettys
burg. A young girl could scarcely veal
/ them"
Over the boots hung Lees hat. TIL,
sword was modelled from q photograph.
THE SADDLE.
Have you the Generals saddle?n
- 1t is curious fact" said the sculptor
II modelled the saddle from one lent b,
the Due de Chartres. II was formerly th,
property OF LOUIS Phillippe.n
The Due do Charters and mis- brother
the Comte de Paris, it will be eremembered
served on the northern side. The saddl,
was used by the former throughout th,
war; When the Due lent me the saddle,
explained Mercie, he said: 'Ahl ! SCI
you wisn 10 make the South fighting-
victorious No. replied. THE war 4
over.'n LrpA Rosx McCApr.