Telegram-herald., 1891-11-16
QUEER THINGS IN STONE
How Mans Virtues are Preserved
in Chiseled Marble
CROIESQUE AND OCREISH EFFECTS
Prod aesd by Imaginative scniptera-
schIitz Ina mertaiised-Death'sv vieieas
Combat With Mrs- Nighfisgais-
Father and Son Overpewerei

with their bones" This quaint Shake
spearan saw is particularly true in the
case of bad painters and sculptors, and
even more so IN regard 10 monumental
caryers and engravers OF epitaphs.
Such q person may with the best and
most serious of intentions make the
iilustrlous dead appear to future gen.
erations in a ridiculous light. One
needs but TO visit the beautiful Forest
Home cemetery in Milwaukee 10 see
an evidence of this monumental NAL
feasance. On one OF the highest hil-
locks, overlooking the winding vistas of
the beautiful driveways and the gem
like artificial lakes which sparkle in the
shaded dells, surrounded by the
chlseled spires and columns of
snowy marble and soft-toned granite
stands the Schlitz monument. An an
gelic figure with clinging draperies
stands upon the pedestal and her
classic face Is upturned with smile of
JOYOUS expectation. Her right arm is
extended aloft and her fingures form
the silent telegraphic signal that Is
most commonly used TO announce an
order for two beers. Ii the monument
was not erected to commemorate a
great brewer the design might not be
so ludicrously suggestive but as il is,
the design is startling incongruity
The departed Schitz is not alone IN
funeral misfortune. In the ahbeye and
cathedrals of the old world still greater
men and women are held up To ridi-
cule. Some of the greatest OF sculptors
have attempted to depict a beautiful
allegOry in marble commemorative of
the crowning act In the life of the illus
trious dead. While they may have been
accepted with becoming gravity 100
years ago, today they are as comical as
caricature in Puck or the Judge. In
Westminster Abbey the immortal Will
berforce lies in heroic marble; q grand
figure full Of dignity and majesty.
But around his couch are several white
marble Africans couching IN attitudes
which suggest that each has been
smoking his first cigar and that the
emetic stage of their disability Is near at
hand. The spectator involuntarily
hurries away 70 escape possible un-
pleasantness. A superb monument TO
General Wolfe, who died in the mo-
ment of victory on the heights of Abra-
ham attracts universal attention. The
chiseling is exquisitely delicate. A
friend is supporting the dying generals
head and just above hlm stands an
angel holding out q laurel wreath.
General Wolfe makes feeble but in
effectual attempt TO reach it, and his
friend, seeing his inability to do so.
makes an attempt to secure the prize.
He lacks about half an inch of touch
ing it. The angel stands there with q
tantalizing, coquettish emile, and
wont bulge an inch. You turn away
with the same feeling that you expsr-
fenced after reading the last page of
"The Lady or the Tiger" Over in
poets corner are two burlesques, In
in one of which two cherubs sit on
either side of q tablet. One smiles
sweetly, while the others face is puck
cred up with perfect passion of woe,
while tears as large as hazlenuts hang
upon his eyelids. The two would make
an excellent advertisement for Mrs.
Winslow's soothing syrup-one to rep
resent before taking, the other after
taking. Close at hand IS another tab
let, beside which two smiling angels
are trying tostanch their welling tears
with pair of table cloths.
In st. MichaePs chapel IN the Abbey.
is the crowniug monstrosity. Lady
Elizabeth nightingale, wife of Gascogne
Nightingale. had the misfortune
to die IN 1881.
A greater misfortune befell her
thirty years later when her son,
whose filial affection could give
long odds to his discretion and good
| taste, had n monument carved by the
renowned RoubilIac. The eculptcr was
a marvel in execution but he was
| afflicted with q morbid imagination, as
the monument itself will demonstrate
| to the most casual observer. Mr.. and
( Mrs. Nightingale are on the back
porch of their residence. and while en-
| loving the prospect OF their back yard,
| death, represented bv ferocious-iook-
inc skeleton, issues from the cellar-door
Just beneath them. Ht raises huge
dart and is just in the ret of launching
| il at the bosom Of hls fair victim. Mrs.
Nightingale falls hack upon her hns-
bands breast, and while that gentle.
man stretches out his hand toward the
destroyer in a mute appeal or protest
he taxes very good care not to get HIM.
self in line with the shalt
That death succeeded in bagging hi'
game is foregone conclusion. but
the allegory, if any is intended. "a q
little vague. A practical mind mus
gather from the group, that the lady
was the victim of had sanitary condi
tons. and that Mr.. Nightingale is open
to censure for not cleaning out his eel.
| lar earlier in the season. RoublliaS
WAS evidently very proud OF this work
| for at the very next opportunity hf
tried to out-Herod Herod. That he
succeeded anyone may discover hs
| prowIng about in the chapels OF Notrt
| Dame cathedral IN PARA. Here aBoth
| or doting son gave the ecusptsr hs'
| looked for opportunity and perpetu
ased his egotism as well ne he lack o'
| sense. | have forgotten the name oi
| the unfortunate gentleman whose
| monument was erected by his son. =
| The son evidently desired 10 he I'm IL. >
and Roubillac graifed hs vanity. Tb'
| central figure 10 huge mar
| lie coffin. The Id is sskev
and partially raised. inside tn
| coffin u an emscIsted old gentle.
! man kicking and clswing with nigh
| and main in the effort 10 get out. Be
| hind the coffin 10 MS devoted son yank
ing fitfuily at the LID. but right IN from
is gsunt, gr zziy skeleton with OH
f.onv hand on N. old eentseman's best
| and the other on the coffin cover B'
vas evidently mere than sastch 70
both father ard son or the mooumen
! would never have been erected.
In these last mentioned monument
the execution 10 something voo5erfu
To zee. The skeletons are perfect II
sverv detail and are worked ont of (
soisd block of marble.