The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-26
GENERAL LEES MONUMENT.
Colonel c. p. L. Burgwyn's Opinion Of
IT.

Governor Mckinney some time ago
requested Colonel c. 2. Il. Burgwyn to
examine the condition of the Lee Monu-
ment He has done so. and yesterday
submitted his report. which contained the
following statement:
At the request Of Mr. Gaines / have
made careful examination OF the present
condition OF the Lee monument, and beg
leave 20 submit the following as my re-
port:
Masonry.-It will be recollected that
the original specifications only required
that the central part OF the monument
be made of concrete. This was deemed
not a sufficiently strong construction.
and the method adopted was 10 build
the courses of rubble masonry filing in
all the interstices with strong Portland
cement in the shape Of grout. Iron rods
were also run entirely through the monu-
ment clamping the stones transVersely
There are no indications of any part Of
the masonry settling or giving way OF
any sort. The large quantity OF water
used In grouting is slowly exuding 10
the surface of the stone and Of the panels.
This has caused a peculiar discOlOration
of the stone. which however. is not re-
garded inartistic. The stain Of lichen
on a stone is considered by artists one
OF the most beautiful colors In nature.
This dscolOration will gradually disap-
pear. 1t will take several years, how
ever. before all the excess OF water VIII
have exuded Where the panels have
been fastened 20 the masonry by the lug
screws, this water. charged with the
lime OF the mortar and copper OF the
bronze. has left a slight deposit, which
can be removed at any time.
This far a no detected
or seen, is in perfect condition, except
the discoloration, due 70 the action OF
the rain, sncw and atmospheric air upon
the bronze The material of which the
statue Is made consists Of a mixture Of
conner. tin. and few other ingredients
When first cast this metal has a bright
metallic look. yeilowish In color, and
exceedingly offensive TO the artistic
sight. The methods employed TO do away
with this metallic iustre are various, but
the one most used is 10 wash the statue
with some preparation. There are a great
many Of these-one called the antique"
which is considered very beautiful, but
which only retains it's characteristic
shade when protected from the weather.
II is the vashing OFF OF the material,
combined with the action OF rain, snow,
air, etc, on the metal which has created
this variation IN color.
Further, at the joints OF the legs, the
pins which fastened the Joints have
taken on n color quite In contrast with
the rest. These variations and sharp con-
trasts in color at present create an in
artistic appearance. but do not indicate
any deterioration or defect OF structure.
i have consulted with many persons upon
this subject. notably the Threbaut Freres.
the founders who cast the statue ORR
ginally in Paris; the Bonnard Bronze
Company. Of New York; Professor
MCMILLAN, now a resident OF Richmond,
formerly a member or the Royal Acade-
my Of London, and the universal re-
commentator is TO let the statue alone,
and time will slowly adjust the colors.
/ would suggest that those interested
who may visit Washington examine the
Lafayette monument there. where they
can observe the same thing going on
with that statue.
] have always taken the greatest In
terest In the monument and will watch
1t closely. I hope that the time may