Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-07
WE'RE GOOD TO SEE.

A stranger upon passing one of the
lawn sentinels surely would feelat repose;
had he but a passing ina Sination he could
feel that he had left on the other side al
up-to-date and tawdry civilization; anG
as he advanced toward the old manor
house. retreating along the corridors OF
the past, he might expect to find within
something strongly suggestive OF years
gone before, quaint people who had
dropped behind in the march and So
called progress of civilization
1t is no SANDER to state that the town
of Durham, N. c., is noted for its vast
number of ornamental iron turtles. Why
these people prefer turtles to other amphi-
bians such as frogs and aligators it is
impossible to state. Travellers to this
unique town, however. have always noted
the large percentage of dogs and turtles.
and have spcculated much on the taste
of the people.
While ornamental figures for the lawn,
general speaking, are obsolescent, the
sale of them has not ceased entirely. The
noble stag with antlers still finds sale.
AS the deer Is generally known to be a
tinid animal naturally. the male repre-
sentative finds place in the more remote
parts to grace or ornament the country
estate The iron dog. on the other hand.
is domestic. and is used to guard the en-
trance, having been placed in close proN-
unity to the driveway. Strange to relate,
the lion in iron or bronze a most fero-
cious looking beast, occupies the vaunted
! position on either side of the doorstep.
This incongruity has never been satisfac-
torily explained. Dragons and griffens
appeal more to the fancy and are used
quite often as gargoyles.
FIGURES WITHOUT CLOTHES.
r.,
believe that all Americans prefer ami
mails in iron to the figures known as high
art" and to be the direct result of the
sculptural afflatus Not so; there is a de-
mand for zinc statuary, among which We
nus de Medici Is the most desired. Ac-
cording to local dealer, the fewer adorn-
ments the greater the sale. Not long ago
in a small town its citizens We're shocked
by the lawn exhibition Of nude figures
The artistic temperament of the owner
would not permit the removal of the
statues so to allay popular indignation
he caused to be erected high wall
around his garden.
Another figure in demand is that of
Physche seated Most of the smaller fig
ures are used as newel-posts in. halls
where gas is burned, and not a few finish
off balustrades. Jockeys Cinnamon, and
nigger-boys are sold to hold the hitch
strap of restless horses. Most Of these
figures are made of heavy iron or cast
zinc.
The Women's Christian Temperance
Union, it is said. has done much to bring
about a good demand for cast-iron foun-
tains. While trying to check
the sale of liquors they re
cognize the existence of thirst, and
accordingly have erected drinking places
in the large cities throughout the coun-
try Lawn fountains are used largely for
ornamental purposes. The increased sale,
however, is due to the large number be-
ing erected to supply water for drinking
purposes Fountains range in price from
$40 to SIS, the very expensive being used
! in city parks
The work of modelling figures for the
lawn or for fountains is done largely in
New York, and requires careful artist
The late Caspar Buberl. who at one time
had charge of the work on the Dewey
Memorial Arch, was at one time engaged
regularly by a large New York firm, and
modelled many figures for the purpose OF
ornam enting lawns and parks.