New-York tribune., 1901-09-21
KING ALFRED'S STATUE.
UNVEILED BY LORD ROSEBERY AT WIN.
CHESTER, ENGLAND.
MILLENARY CELEBRATION IN HONOR oE
THE PIONEER OF ANGLO-SAXON GREAT
NESS A STRIKING FESTIVAL

THE PIONEER OF ANGLO-SAXON GREAT
NESS A STRIKING FESTIVAL.
tcopyrisht; 1901 BY The New-YOrk Tribune,
IBy TO THE TRIBrNE.I
Winchester. England. Sept 2O.-The MiIIenar,
Celebration brought Lord Rosebery out Of ,ba
furrow to-day on high historic ground where h.
could take a comprehensive view of English no,i
tics from the time of the Saxons. His short or.
ton at the unveiing of the monument to KIM
Alfred has been the crowning event Of the tbrsa
days festival in which British and American
educators have united. II was delivered in tho
open air a few yards in front of Thornycror,.s
statue. and only small group of favored Spec
tators Immediately surrounding him could hear
it. The vast assemblage rapturously cheered ar
his appearance and at the close OF his address
without having caught a single word. IL was an
eloquent tribute TO the highest qualities OF man
hood and leadership which the Saxon King had
displayed. and it followed. singularIy enough a
remarkable and spontaneous demonstration Of
homage to the patriotism and exalted character
of American President from the English
speaking world. Lord Rosebery described AL
fred as the pioneer of English greatness and tha
embodiment of English civilization. While the
orator attributed to the great Saxon none OF the
glories of Solomon save wisdom alone. he did not
Of he.
Anglo-Saxon character. absolute devotion N
duty. Lord Rosebery's eulogy was hapnIv
phrased and delivered with graceful gesture and
distinction of manner. 1t closed with descrip-
ton of the immortal work which this monarch
with a high ideal burning in his heart had done
for the English people and for the sister nation.
which in supreme moments OF stress and sorrow
were irresistibly joined across centuries and
across seas.
When the grafton finished great green
curtain which had been Tapping like sail in
a stiff wind rung down. and the vast con-
course of spectators, led by massed bands sang
| God Save the King" A royal salute was fred
by the artillery. and after a series of frantic
| rushes by the boisterous crowd picturesque
High-st was emptied
The colossal statue represents the King as
holding shield with hand. and as lifting
high with the other hand reversed sword trans
formed into symbol of the Christian religion
| This artfce is open to criticism although not
lacking in ingenuity. But the statue on its
! rough-hewn pedestal is a strong work of sculpt-
ure of real dignity and distinction.
Lord Rosebery and a large number Of guests
I including Judge Lambert Tree. Colonel T. W.
! HigginsOn. General a. C. Rockwell. E D. Mead.
/ Charles F. Adams and other Americans and
/ several Canadians. college professors.
| tertained at luncheon in the GuildhaI- st.
/ Swithin. while the patron saint of the town.
was not a good clerk of the weather, for there
was a downfall OF rain during the afternoon,
which interfered with the procession of school
children to the statue and diminished the at
tendance at the special service in the Cathedral
| There had been at noon a chorus of praise COM
posed by the Organist of the Cathedral. and sung
! by a strong choir TO the accompaniment of a
I 1arz in
| Cathedral. after a sermon by the Venerable
Archbishop of Canterbury, there was an impress
/ sive rendering OF the "Hallelujah chorus Dy the
choirs of Winchester. Salisbury and Chichester
/ cathedrals and ST. Georges, Windsor.