New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-20
ANCIENT BUSTS ON LAWN.
Thought That They 4re Originals
from Rome.

Freehold ". J.. Sept. 1e CspeciaD-Anong the
most interesting historical relics 10 be found IN
Monmouth County several marble busts that
adorn the lawn at the home OF Walter Wright.
near Allentown. The busts have occupied their
present positions since 1870 and that plas
ter busts OF the personages represented by these
works OF have for considerably more than a
century occupied their respective places in the old
art collections at Rome gives rise 10 the belief that
the busts the Wright lawn the originals,
which the Roman art connoisseurs are unable 20
account for but which time among
the most priced relics Of the ancient empire
Samuel Wright the grandfather Of the present
p1ssessor Of the Allentown busts. was known 10
have secured them after forced sale OF the prop
erty OF General Jean Victor Moreau, who brought
the busts from Europe at the close Of the eigh-
teenth century and used them for the adornment
OF the grounds OF the handsome estate that he
purchased Morrisviue opposite Trenton, after
ward returning 10 his former home in France. and
leaving many debts behind him. When the Moreau
property disposed Of tho benefit Of creditors
the busts purchased by curiosity seekers and
passed through many hands, until Wright secured
them in exchange for flock OF merino sheep,
which were raised by him in such quantities that
his home was known at that time as Merino HL
Although several OF the busts mutiated and
covered with lChen their general condition IS such
10 bring delight the heart Of any antiquarian.
on the right O. the terraced lawn is the bust OF
the greatest Of Greek orators, Demosthenes. The
style OF the Greek mantel and the clean cut feat
ures are stiI recognizable. Opposite is the Roman
monarch Nespasian. who reigned from 20 TO 7s
This bust shows distinctly the Roman toga and the
hllet Of laurel leaves. since made embematic OF
all the victories man.
il the o. the bust Of Nespasian is that OF
his son. Titus. whose armies captured Jerusalem
in ~ A. D.. and who became emperor nine years
later. The best OF the busts is that OF the god
cess Diana. with the crescent her brow and
horn across her shoulder. ON q pedestal in the hall
OF the Wright home is bust Of Plato. the Greek
philosopher, showing the work Of the sculptor ia
almost perfect condition.
Three more busts from the Moreau collection are
owned by Mrs. isabelle Wright. OF Florida the best
OF them being that Of julius Caesar. Two others
OF the same collection. representing the Roman
Emperor Augustus and his fife. owned by
Mrs. EGwarI VAIN, u ChelJeuham. Penn. whose
husband visited Rome in company with his dauEh-
ter. Miss ; NJ VAIN, several years before his
death, and noticed that the bUsts of Augustus and
his wife among a collection Of royal busts IN a
leading gallery were Of plaster The guide informed
him that the originals had been taken from the
gallery many years and that all efforts TO
trace them had failed. although IL was suspected
that they were stolen by curiosity seekers and sold
As General Moreau was known TO have secured an
uQues o. great value in Rome. there o be
little room for doubt that the works Of art on the