Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-23

IGN w thlng connected with
the great discoverer at
tracts general atten tion
request fronS the president of tho Literary
Society to give some account of the various
statues and monuments which have been
erected in honor of Christopher Columbus re-
called at once to the writer's mind that famous
chapter devoted to snakes in Ireland. Not tina,
it can literally be said that there arc no statues
of the famous navigator in existence and nc
monuments standing to commemorate his fame
ana great achievem ents. but, considering the
DEBT the world owes him and the long period
of time it has had for discharging the obliea-
tIon the fact that such memorials are dis
credltably few in number and wholly made
quate in character cannot be disguised. Why
this should be it is hard to explain Especially is
II dlmcnlt to understand why a nation SO rich,
progressive and appreciative as ours claims and
Is conceded to be should be so tardy in ac-
knowledging Ill some appropriate and durable
form its great indebtedness But whatever ex-
PLANTATION may be offered, tho general truth re-
mains that whatever estimate may be held as
to the character Of the man and the moment
Gus results flowing from his discovery and
whatsoever of justice may have been done to
both by tho literature CT the world. art has
done but little to perpetuatc his lineaments or
commemorate his deeds
FULL-LESGTH STATUES OF THa pIscovEREn.
1t is perhaps proper to explain here that for
want OF time and opportunity for inquiry and
investigation it has not been practicable to in
clude In this hasty sketch mention of any of
the so-called portrait busts of Columbus sew
eral OF which are known to be in existence; but
since their authenticity is not well established
ana even such information can be gathered
IN regard to them cannot be considered wholly
as reliable ii has been thought best not to
enter that field. but to limit these observations
to few of the nj
ant full-length statues or monumental groups
erected or projected for the purpose of honor
ing his name and keeping his achievements
fresh in the memory OF succeeding genera
tions.
As should have been expected the city which
claims, and probably claims justly, to be the
birthplace of Columbus was among the earliest
II not the very first to rear q monumental
group IN his honor. and whether by accident
or design, it is happily so placed as to be one
OK the first objects TO attract the eye of visitors
TO Genoa, occupying, as it does. a commanding
position in the Piazza Acquaverde, directly
opposite the great railway station, and not far
from the principal steamer landings Com
posed wholly Of marble and reaching height
OF nearly forty feet according to the recollec-
ton OF the writer, 1t is at once a striking and
pleasing object
sYMBoLICAL DEVICES.
The base is enriched by four handsome sit
ting alegorical figures, typifying. respectively,
Religion, Wisdom, Strength and Geography.
Other symbolical devices are appropriately in
troduced as accessories, and the whole is
crowned by colossal efigy of Columbus, with
one hand resting on an anchor while the other
touches kneeling figure by his side, which
represents America. Both in detail and gem
eral effect the monument may be said to take
rank with the very best Of its class. 1t was nau-
Surated IN 1862. but the writer has not been
able to secure the name of the artist, nor to
learn any particulars in regard to its erection
beyond the fact that the monument was the
grateful tribute Of the municipality and peo-
pie of Genoa.
BARCELoNA's MEMORIAL.
Much more ambitious than the Genoese
group, and one OF the most striking to be seen
anywhere, is the memorial which the city of
Barcelona dedicated to the memory of the illus
trious navigator with great pomp on the Sth of
April, 1888. This conception comprises ex-
tensive landing stage at the harbOr front of the
city, thanked on either side by the hull or prov
OF vessel. one representing the Pinta and
the other the Nina, with a mag aificent balus-
trade adorned by statues of famous EXPLORERS
OF various nations. Behind this stretches all
ample paved square, shaded on it's sides and
rear by rows of ornamental trees. and from
this IN turn rises a lofty and deliberately deco
rated column surmounted by the colossal figure
OF Columbus. holding in his left hand a marine
chart and pointing with his right hand to the
newly discovered land. This monupent is COM
posed Of stone, iron and bronze and reaches an
entire height Of nearly 200 feet above the sea
level.
THE BASE AID ACCESSORY FIGURES.
One group (which represents the provinces
Leon, CASTLE, Arragon and Catalonia. the other
portraying the patrons and friends Of
the intrepid admiral are of stone. The
eight colossal. lions guarding its base
and the main shaft itself are of
lron while the four graceful figures of Fame
or Renown, the panels, with their elaborate re-
liefs and the other decorative devices which
enrich the monument and the browning effigy
OF Columbus which is little over eighteen
feet IN height and weighs some thirty TONS are
all OF bronze, cast from the cannons contrib
uted for the purpose by the Spanish govern
ment. This monument was the work OF several
artists, the principal figure being the concep-
ton OF Rafael Atche, Catalan sculptor, and
the cost OF defraying 1t was borne partly by
from various municipalities, corporations and
private individuals.
HoNoRED BY MADRID.
The city Of Madrid has also honored itself
| while honoring Columbus by the recent erec-
| ton Of his efigy in bronze of heroic size in the
Paseo de Recoletos, one of the principal prone
| nades in the Spanish capital. This representa-
ton portrays benign and reverent expression
OF countenance with the figure clothed in the
ordinary costume of his period, wearing over
1t short fur-trimmed overgarment. He
stands on lofty pedestal, or rather crowns a
column of considerable height his left hand
outstretched as il pointing to the newly dis
covered land he had reached after so many
hardships while the right upholds the furied flag
OF Spain, the cross-tipped staff Of which rests
| upon miniature semblance of the globe, which,
In turn, rests upon the head OF a capstan, about
which cordsge cable is gracefully coiled.
IN HONOR OF QUEEN ISABELLA.
| There is still another monumental group in
Madrid, which, while it wal erected in honor OF
Queen Isabella, may be SAID to honor Columbus
| in equal degree, though his efigy is no part OF
1t. This conception represents his royal pa
| troness in bronze, holding aloft cross and
seated on a richly caparisoned horse, whose
| reins are held on the one side by a monk and
| on the other by soldier with an unsheathed
| sword resting on his left arm. The arrange
| ment and accessories do not lack q certain
artistic excellence, but the general effect of the
| group is marred by the unfortunate design
selected for its base or pedestal, which is
/ neither graceful in itself nor sufficiently mas
which it is put in this instance.
STAINED BY MEXICO.
The capital Of our sister republic, Mexico,
puts our own sadly to shame in the matter Of
honoring the memory of Columbus, since il
has long since had in one Of its public squares