The citizen., 1897-02-19
DOYLE THE CHOICE.
CoMMITTEELIKE HIS MODEL.
The Selection Made After Careful
Consideration of the Many De-
signs Submitted-Gener
Satisfaction Over the
Result.

To Mr.. Alexander Doyle of New
York, one of the most noted designers
and sculptors in this country, was
awarded the contract for furnishing a
Bronze Statue of Francis Scott Key,
which is to be erected to the noted
poets memory in Mt. Olivet Cemetery,
Frederick, Md, by the association
which bears his name.
The selection of the design has occu.
pied the attention of the committee
appointed for the purpose for some
time past, as the number of models
submitted for its consideration, and
their general excellence required care.
full discrimination to determine the one
most suitable. 1t was the general con-
census of opinion among the members
of the association that the choice of the
committee will be satisfactory one to
the public, although some of the other
designs were entitled to the highest
praise for excellence and artistic merit.
Tuesday evening the announcement
of the result was made at a largely at
t. nded meeting in the Mayors office
in the City Hall Building.
The report of the Chairman of the
Design Committee, Mr. Folger Nc
Kinsey, was exhaustive and showed
clearly the reasons which prompted
the selection of Mr.. Doyle's model.
Of course, many of the competitors
were disappointed, but that is always
the case. 1t was an impartial decision,
based solely on the individual charac-
teristics and elevated inspiration of the
proposed memorial shaft
The following description of the ac-
cepted Key Monument is from the
sculptor's ow n pen:
"The design consists of circular
pedestal of granite on series of unus-
ually wide spreading bases The height
of this pedestal is about fifteen feet and
its breadth at the base is fifteen feet.
1t is simple in design, save for baud
of carving around the base of the die
and band of stars under the cornice,
the artist having devoted more study
to the simplicity and harmony of its
outlines than to floiid elaboration.
Nevertheless, the whole effect of the
design is one of elaboration, owing to
its sculptures. These consist of bronze
statue surmounting a pedestal uiue feet
high, portrait of Mr.. Key. He is rep.
resented on shipboard, by the dawn's
early light, as an inscription immedi-
ately below the statue certifies, at the
moment he discovers that the flag is
still there His attitude is one of eX-
ultation and inspiration, as with the
right arm he indicates to his compan-
ions the fact, and with the other holds
aloft the hat that he has just snatched
from his head in an action of reveren-
tial salute to the starry flag.
CAT the base of the pedestal is u
bronze group emblematical of Patriot
ism. The figure of Liberty is seated
with the flag resting on her shoulder,
teaching the lesson of patriotism to a
youth standing on her left. His right
hand rests on the flag, while his left is
extended in vow of fidelity. Her left
hand, extended, grasps the sword of
defence, with its point resting on the
ground, while her left arm embraces
the nude figure of child, whose ten
der years fail to grasp the significance
of the lesson, but it instructively ex-
tends its little hand in imitation of its
elder companion, illustrating the idea
that patriotism never is or can be alone
the result of calculated teaching, but
springs from the heart as instinctively
as the love of a child for its mother,
even by the dawn's early light of in
telIigence. Beneath the group, on the
face of the base, is carved the seal of
the Key Monument Association, sur
mounted by laurel, aud resting on a
palm branch that extends across the
face of the stone In the rear of the
monument, resting on its base, is a
tablet bearing the immortal text OF
'The Star Spangled Banner," the seal
of Maryland and the necessary inscrip.
ton of birth, death, dates of the poem,
etc."
Mr.. Doyle agreed to make any
change the association desired, so long
as they did not conflict with the gen.
eral tone and effect of his creation.
This sculptor has designed many noted
statues aud monuments which COM
memorate the lives aud deeds of ouI
mosi noted men.
1t will require some time to finish
the work, which will be begun at once
The monument will cost $10,000 ol
which sum less than $1,000 remains to
be obtained.