The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-08-03
PAID A TRIBUTE
TO HAHUENAuu
Local Homeopathists View
a Model of His Great
Statue.
It Is to Be Erected in Wash
ington on a Site to Be
Selected.
Exhibited Before the County Homeo-
pathio Medical Society Last
Evening.

At meeting of the San Francisco
County Homeopathic Medical Society
held last evening at Druids' Hall, Alt SUIT
ter street. DR.. Eleanor F. Martin exhibit
ed a most unique model OF the Hahne-
mann monument, which is now completed
and awaiting action on the part of the
Government as to site for its erection in
Washington, D. G. The model is one of
three that have been made of the original
and is gem in itself.
The history of the monume mt dates back
to the year 1892 when, at a meeting of
the American Institute of Homeopathy
(the National Homeopathic Association),
a movement was inaugurated to erect at
the National capital monum ent in honor
of Samuel Hahnemann, the great scientist
and philosopher and father of homeop-
athy. This monument was to be mag
nihcent work of art and grand memorial
worthy of he man and his achievements.
Having discussed the matter thoroughly
a committee was appointed by the instl-
tute with authority TO carry out the I'M
dertaking.
The accepted sketch and specifications
provided that the monument be built of
the finest gray granite, with statue and
bas-reliefs of standard bronze. The form
is that OF the Greek exhedra and is
elliptical in plan. Four steps in front
lead up to a platform upon the lesser
axis, at the back of which rises the super
structure. A sitting statue of Hahne-
mann. heroic in size, on a granite pedes-
tai, is placed in the central portion, which
is posed OF four columns supporting
An entablature, above which is an attica
with the inscription "Hahnemann." On
the base of the psde> tai is the motto
''Simiia Similibus Curantur." Between
the two front columns and forming the
background of the statue is a niche, also
elliptical in plan, terminating in a semi
circular arch above the impost. The line
of the impost continues on either side,
forming the top of the curved walls, which
end at the extremity of the larger axis of
the plan in decorated amperes crowned
with acroteTia.
The base courses of these walls form
seats occupying the space between the
central portion and the end examinations.
The upper portion of the niche be hind
the statue is 10 be decorated III mosaic,
with design com posed OF the foliage and
Hover OF the clnchona plant. On either
side of the arch are decorative emblems
In bas-relief, the bowl and serpent, SYM
bols of wisdom, and the lamp and book,
typical of knowledge and instruction, the
former associated with palm branch,
the latter with a wreath of laurels. At
the keystone OF the arch appears lions
head, sym bolic of strength and leader
ship. The four commemo rative bronze
tablets are placed in two panels on either
side OF the niche upon the curved walls,
representing in bas-relef the four epochs
of Hahnemann's life.
The statue itself is the culmina tion OF
the plan of the monument. The Gerhan
Company has done the casting and has
produced bronze of exquisite quality
and finish. By the expression of the fea-'
lures and the pose of the figure it is de-
signed to convey the characteristics of the
philosopher, hilanthropist and teacher.
The granite superstructure has been exc
cuted under the careful supervision of the
architect, Mr.. Harder.
After proper legal advice and most care
full scrutiny of models, drawings and
specifications a contract was signed for
the erection of this grand structure, at
the cost OF $48, 500, exclusive of the foun.
dation. The monument com plete, in
Guiding foundation, with fitting acces-
series and surroundings, will cost SIS 000
This amount has been and is being raised
by contributions from the profession and
patrons OF homeopathy. That the con-
tributions have been liberal is shown by
the fact that Notwithstanding the 6nan.
cial stringency of the past two or three
years, work on the monument has gone
steadily forward and it is now finished.
Sculptor and architect have Wed with
each other in perfecting the details of
this unrivaled com position, resulting in a
work of art unsurpassed in this country.
In fact it has excited more comment than
any similar work in the United States.
Thoroughly classical and of com m andine
appearance, regarded in art circles as a
remarkable work OF art, it will be an orna-
ment to the city OF Washington and per-
manent tribute to the founder of homeo-
patny.
The directors of several of the art gall
lerles and art schools of the country have
applied for copies of the original models,
one of which is the property OF DR.. Martin.