The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-11-29
Match Boxes.
II Union Square, N. Y.
NATHAN HALE rs Popular.


There 10 Always Crowd Around The Statue
OF the Pinioned Patriot.
II the face OF Nathan Hale's statue In the
City Hall Park were turned downward rather
than toward New Jersey. II would be met each
day by the upturned faces OF an observing
audience From early morning until evening
the wire fepce that guards the Park holds
back pressing crowd OF small boys. art
critics. begRars. and passers by. This audi
ence does not diminish. 1t is a. large as on
the day before and as curious and interesting
In comment.
Besides having performed a patriotic duty.
the Sons OF the Revolution have presented q
fine object lesson In American history. Not
one in twenty OF the people who stand before
this statue for q few minutes each day ever
hesrd OF Nathan Hale. The best evidence OF
this ign ORANGE is the common question. What
are his hands and feet tied forH" This feature
Of the sculptors work-which one man yes
terday called we'll made piece"-has like
Wise caused some criticism from those who
pretend to know about art As the favorable
comment OF the gallery is sometimes said to be
the best evidence OF successful performance.
90 It may be said that the statue OF Nathan Hale
is wholly satisfactory. The street boys and old
men who see 1t every day agree on this point.
1t 10 likewise plain that the sculptor knew
something OF American sentiment when he
designed the figure with the arms and feet
tied. The ropes suggest the story OF Nathan
Hale's death. and arouse the eager curiosity
OF the observer who never knew OF Hale's ser
vices to his country. The italian boot lacks
than they did a week ago. aud ere U Wiling to
give Nathan Hale place with GaribaldL
They hH k IS. S69nt the upt
had only one life to give for his country.
hAAn Ennlf nTa In az NhAF.f Inc aNrta
This was manifested 10 ono way yesterday
afternoon when two well-dressed young men
merits and meaning OF the statue. One OBJ.
served the crowd standi nR about and said:
oh we'll the statue II only for a day and
will be forgotten like the others"
An old man. whose appearance indicated a
residence on the Bowery., overheard the re-
and; pointing his finger toward the statue.
You are dead wrong Tint figure was put
there to stay, and 1t amt going to be forgot
ten; neither: Look here. young man, II It
hadn't been for Nathan Hale there, and George
wash gton. and some more like EN-. we
wouldn't have had no country for you to live
Tho old mans little speech brought out a
cheer from the audience.
The park heggars are working to turn this
them have learned enough about Nathan Hale
to describe his work and death to out of town
Visitors who Are sy the statue When
After the story is finished. the visitor Is asked
to give u dime tn q man who hasn't had any
thing to eat since dav before yesterday. IL Is
hard to get away from mn appeal that combines
the eoquence OF patriotism and OF alleged
hunger. Guides for the Nathan Hale statue
may now be found at the statue. Messenger
calls are not needed.
Sun reporter asked one OF these guides
yesterday why Hale's legs and arms Were tied,
done when he was arrested"
What was he arrested for ?"
Well, don't know exactly. II was good
while ago: but heard n man say that he was
going to blow up a British ship with dyna-
mite when the British soldiers caught him"
" What did they do with him Z"
ON. they arrested him and marched him
IN broadway looking the way he is there, aud
let him go again"
This H. n fair sample OF the vague notions
concerning Nathan Hale found with visitors To
the statue. 1t Is hoped that editors OF guide
books to New York will remember to furnish
explanations when the new editions are pub
lished.