St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1899-03-08
The Gift of the Nation to
REAR ADMIRAL GEORGE DEWEY,
u. S. N,
In Memory of the Victory at Manila
Bay, May 1, 1898.

A procession OF Phenician galleys re-
presenting the first war craft OF the
navies OF the world, also ornament this
side of the blade. On the other side is a
flight OF the sea-eagles of victory, bear
ing iestoons of laurel to the four quarters
OF the earth.
The mountings of the belt are all of
22karat gold, ornamented with oak
leaves and acorns, and consist of the
regulation buckles, etc. The bullion
tassell and embroidered betting, how
ever, have been especially made, and are
much superior to those usually EN- ployed.
The sword box is Of white oak lined
with blue velvet. In the centre Of the
cover there is gold shield surmounted
by an eagle, and inscribed with a single
star and the words:
"Rear Admiral George Dewey, U. S. N"
The steel blade of the sword is from
the government arsenal at Springfield.
Mr.. Paulding Farnham, Secretary OF
the Tiffany Company and the designer Of
the sword, in describing the origin OF his
design, said as follows: Zone very in
teresting point in reference to matters of
this kind is the method of beginning a
design; not one in hundred persons ap-
precates that for many weeks, often
times months, pencil is not put to
paper; the scheme is first thought out
and different parts adjusted to suit the
purpose. The mass Of the material is
historical, and the object OF successful
design is to maintain simplicity in all
things. For two months was resolving
in my mind the detail of the design, and
the story proposed that it should tell
finally before l put a pencil to paper
then it took me two weeks to complete
the design itself.
ut must be borne in mind that a de-
signer, to be successful, must be practical ;
rarely il ever do we find sculptor or
painter who can execute design in the
different kinds of metal, or follow it
through all the known processes OF
manipulation, hammering, chasing, in
laying, diamond. setting and enamelling
consequently we often find very ordinary
results from experienced sources, as,
when design is made tor production in
metal or other material, it must be given
into the hands Of artisans for completion.
The touch OF the original man is thus
often lost completely. Ny experience
has been such, fortunately, that | was
able to follow or, il necessary, do every
detail of the work myself.
ut took three months constant work
of from two to ten men in the different
departments to complete the sword.
Twenty-Five karat gold, as stated, was
the metal used; it is almost pure, and
consequently very soft. After each part
was completed it was necessary to handle
it very carefully, not only while putting
together, but after the whole was ad.
justed, as on the plain parts of che sword
it would be impossible to eliminate a
single scratch without showing that that
part had been defaced. In making this
sword each little section was wrought
by hand from rolled metal; this is rarely
done. Working on piece of shark-skin
as in the grip, and inlaying the stars,
was piece OF work that laynan eau
hardly appreciate. Shark skin is the
toughest material we have to deal with
it rarely maintains it's shape unless forced
very carefully over forms which are
strong enough to hold it in position; and
1t is so hard that only the most carefully
tempered file or knife will cut it,
"Enamelling, as in the shield of Yer
mont, is well.k, own process, but still
must be done with great care; the paint
ing of the detail of the picture describing
the rural scene, field, tree, COW. sheaf Of
wheat, and the Blue Mountains In the
design, were executed as carefully as in
miniature painting.
THE guard OF the sword is COMPOSED
OF a sea-eagle treated conventionally, IN
flight, as already described, and termin
ates at the top in single claw clasp'ne
the pommel of the sword, indicating con
troll and confidence. The eagle symbol
ICES the message of peace, bearing AS II
does the laurel wreath in its beak.
"The oak.leai used throughout the dec
coration OF the sword is indicative OF TIT
rank OF admiral.
THE scabbard is made of steel, ant
made by hand especially for this sword
the joining OF the steel at the side insteat
OF being straight as in ordinary cases, II
IN castellated outline.
The damaskeening on the steel 10 al
art little known in this country; tn