Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1898-08-11

surmounting the granite ptdestal-a portrait
of Francis Scott Key.
Key is represented on shipboard, "By the
dawn's early light" and upon the band that
girdles the pedestal beneath his feet is the
inscription, "'Tis the Star Spangled Banner"
which certities that these words that inspired
his soul when he discovered that "The flag
is still there" His attitude was one of
exultation and inspiration, as with the right
arm he indicates to his companions the fact,
and with the other he holds aloft the hat that
he has just snatched from his head, in an
action Of reverential salute to the starry
banner.
The pose Of the heroic figure of Key is
beautiful, graceful, full Of spirit and life.
The expression of his face is characteristic
of the calm joy of the inspired soul upon
beholding, 'at the dawn's early light" the
beloved flag of "the land of the free and the
home of the brave" The costuming is cor
rect, historically, and finely poetic.
The pedestal and base unite originality and
rarity, with chaste and classic simplicity and
charm. The group, meant as an ornament
to the statue, becomes, under perfect treat
ment, a charming story within ITSELF study
that cannot help but educate the young, as
we'll as the old-,the republic, the proud.
imperlous mother, protecting her two chill.
dren With a fearless and loving embrace
beneath the folds of the flag that has inspired
the poet above their heads with the glowing
melody of his deathless thought.
AT the base of the pedestal, on a massive
granite block of five tons weight, 10 this
bronze group, cmblematlc Of patriotism. 1t
consists of three figures. The central, or
principal one, is tina. of a female, symbolic
ing the "G ,ddess of Patriotism" Her height
If standing, would be fully seven feet. She
is represented as sitting in an easy, natural
position. The figure is large and imposing.
The face full and well formed, purely allcgo.
rical, devoid of any definite expression, is
strikingly beautiful and attractive. On the
back of her head is Greclan bonnet and
around the brow wreath of laurel. The
bust is clad in becoming cOrsage, reaching
well up over the chest, and held in position
by artistically carved bands, caught, where
they cross the bosom, by medallion, and upon
the shoulders by buckles of grlffins' heads.
About her waist Is a band, or broad girdlc,
ornamcntcd with raised stars around the
lower border, and in the center with shield,
an eagle and II flag. The right arm is ex'
tended in an easy and graceful manner, and
the hands hold IL staff, from which the starry
banner gracefully falls in folds. The staff is
surmountcd by spread eagle On her left
is the figure of boy, apparently about tif.
teen years of age, standing erect, his hands
resting on sword, representing war. The
face is slrikingly firm, expressing temper and
great determination. Her left arm embraces
and partly supports the nude figure of boy,
about five years Of age, representing song or
music. In his left hand he holds Tyre, and
with the right grasps the overhanging folds
of the flag, by which it is partly envelopcd.
Beneath the group, on the face Of its base
Is carved the seal Of Maryland, surrounded
! by laurel and resting on palm branch that
extends across tic face Of the stone.
In The rear of the monument, resting on
its base lie a tablet bearing the text, "Thc
Star Spangled Banner
The cornerstone ofthe monument was laid
on Flag Day, June IA, last, with imposing
ceremonies, by the Hon. Thomas J Shryock,
grand master Of Masons Of Maryland, and
other state officials of that body.
In crypt deeply sunk in the eight.foot
foundation of the monument, reposc the
remains OF Francis Scott Key and his wife,
Mary Taylor Key. These were removed
there from their former resting place in an
obscure section of the cemetery by the asso
citation, by permission of his two daughters,
Mrs. Howard and Mrs. Steele, prior to their
death, which occurred only recently.