Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-01-11

cepted with pleasure and gratitude by the
French government.
The Dedication Last July.
1t was at first the idea that the monu-
ment might be completed and made ready
for dedication United States day" at the
Paris exposition, July last. 1t was impos-
sible to do more by that date, however,
than dedicate staff reproduction
The Fourth of July last, in the presence
Of the president of the French republic, M
Lcubet; the United States ambassador, Cen
eral Horace Porter. and a brilliant assem-
bfage of representative French and Ameri-
can people, a staff reproduction or. in
other words. a sketch model or plaster cast
of the design of the monument and
pedestal was following the French custom
in such matters unveiled and presented to
the French nation by Mr. Peck. 1t was
accepted on behalf of France by President
Loubet, this, in itself, being regarded as
testifying to the importance the French
government attached to the occasion. The
monument was unveiled by two lads, who
represented the school children of France
and America. They We're Gustave Hem
nocqua, great grandson of the Marquis de
Lafayette, and Paul Thompson, son of the
originator OF the monument plan
A Memorable Day.
The day of the unwilling of the staff re-
production was a memorable one in Paris,
not only for Americans there, but for the
French residents as well. Everywhere the
American and French flags were entwined,
while from the Eiffel tower foated a hand
some American banner The entire square
ia the locality where the plaster model
stands was deliberately decorated with
flags and bunting. and detachments of
guards. mounted and on foot, were stationed
about the scene Tier after tier of seats
was filled with onlookers. it being estimated
that over 1000 invited guests, among them
many ladies. witnessed the ceremonies
President Loubet occupied the seat of honor
with Ambassador Porter on his right and
Commissioner Peck on the left. A magnif-
Gently decorated platform was erected Tor
the speakers.
Paul Thompson made a brief address and
dedicatory poem by Miss Voss. represent
ing the Daughters of the American Reyo-
luton, followed. Archbishop Ireland de-
lvered an eloquent dedication address in
French, and Ambassador Porter and Com
missioner Peck also made addresses. Mrs.
Daniel Manning spoke on Lafayette and
the Daughters of the American Reyolu-
ton.
President Loubet accepted the statue in a
brief speech. in which he referred to the
traditional friendship Of the two republics
When the signal was given that released
the covering concealing the monument and
the heroic figure of Lafayette offering his
sword to the cause of the American COLO
n:sts was brought to view. the enthusiasm
part In the exercises, played a special and
spirited composition. Hail to the Spirit of
Liberty
Description of the Statue.
The statue will be one Of the largest
figures of its kind in the world as well as
one of the richest. 1t is the opinion that
the sum of 100000 will cover the entire
cost of the monument and the artists re-
Enumeration. For the purpose of aiding in
defraying the cost Of the pedestal Congress-
March 81. 1899. made an appropriation of
$50, 600, and the souvenir LAFAYETTE dollar
was struck by this government.
The plaster model will remain in Paris
until replaced by the finished monument.
No more appropriate place for the Lafay-
cite monument could be found in all Paris
it is said, than the one which was offered
for 1t by the French government and which
was accepted. 1t is In the court of the
Palace of the Louvre in the space partIy
incIosed by the buildings. The site was
originally intended, it is said, for monu-
ment to Napoleon.
The monument will be worthy of it's rich
and historic surroundings. In the design
OF the statue Lafayette is represented as
youth mounted on a Flemish war horse,
the tail and name of which are knotted and
dressed. The generals form Is attired in a
military dress that may be lkened in part
to that of the nobility of his time and In
part to that of the continental service In
his right hand he grasps his sword holding
II up ana oHerlng 1t to the cause of the
American patriots. The statue measures
fifteen feet in height, and the pedestal it
occupies stands twenty-six feet sigh. When
Lafayette landed at South Carolina in tho
days Of the American revolution. he rode
from Charleston to Philadelphia on horse
back and offered his services to Congress
at the latter place for the continental army,
from which it can be readily seen that an
equestrian statue is highly appropriate
The Sculptor.
Paul w Bartlett who Voc raIon+oa =. ~.
sculptor Of the Lafayette monument by an
expert council of the highest authorities
In America In art, Is native Of Boston
Mass. He has resided In France for a num-
Der OF years. and his present home Is at
the pleasant village of st. Lieu He ia
known as the eminent pupii of the master
F'remiet. and his name is In Frances Legion
OF Honor. His Michael Angelo and his On
lumbus may be seen here in Washineton
and are considered to be two of the finest
pieces OF sculpture ever seen in America.
Casting the Statue.
The work of casting the bronze for the
statue will be done at Congress Heights. as
The Star stated some months ago. The
casting is to be done on the place owned by
Arthur E. Randle. Arrangements whereby
Mr.. Bartlett is to have the exclusive Use Of
the Randle home for one year or more for
the object stated were made between Mr.
Bartlett and Mr. Randle during the latter
gentleman's visit to Paris in September
last A contract binding them to the agree
ment was drawn up at the time under the
terms of which Mr.. Bartlett will assume
charge OF the place in March.
The statue will be cast in bronze, after
the most ancient and beautiful manner
known as the lost wax process which was
exclusively used by the ancient Greeks and
Italians The metal to be used In the statue
will be Of the finest kind, and will contain
an alloy Of gold silver and copper. a man
much used by the Corinthians In their work.
1t is said that not for 200 years has a statue
been cast by the process that Mr. Bartlett |
intends to use. The pedestal for the statue
was designed by Thomas Hastings of New
York, and Is to be made In the Celleoni |
style. with columns Of various-coiored mar |
t,les about II -