New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-27

been the intent honor the memory OF the dead,
the effort to transmit to posterty enduring records
OF their virtues and their deeds. And always have
the means through which they have sought to
press the one, and achieve the other. marked
the progress OF people toward a higher civiiza-
ton. More Justly may its stage in this be esti-
mated by its monuments. than by its triumphal
arches and columns its palaces and public edifces:
for in the first are found the expression OF its
most exalted because tenderest, holiest and least
earthly. sentiment.
The savage. unchastened by the gracious inhu-
ences OF the arts and OF any religion worthy me
name entrusted his dead clad in gaudy trappings
with the e-nble1ns OF his state around and about
him, 10 the secret caves OF the everlasting hills
The Viking sealed his, arrayed in warrior guise in
the galley on which the departed hero erst-
while royed the seas in quest Of spoil and prey.
But the civilization that. If crumbed and passed
away attained its zenith the borders Of Sahara,
entombed its great dead in the mighty and i'm
perishabIe pyramids while the elegant Greek de-
posted the sacred dust in stored urns. under
stately shafts or IN magnificent mausoleums that
best reveal to posterity the of his enlight
eminent For while his sacred fanes. shrines Of a
vouptuous IL highly poetic. religion his trlumphaI
arches and columns physical records OF sanguinarY
II successful war: his temples OF justice, wherein
were expounded laws yirile and competent, though
founded on false social system; his academies.
wherein taught PHILOSOPHERS that were consoi-
ing In that they made endurabe the pangs OF that
soul hunger that yet never fully satisfied
un-,i the Advent: his palaces, that enshrined the
splendors Of sculptural art that set the standard
for all time even though they harbored the volup-
tuarv and witnessed the degradation Of woman:
while these all these may please the eve and ap-
peal TO the love Of the beautiful latent in man,
with their sensuous grace. their majestic proper
tons their intrinsic beauty and elegance and their
ornate detal-may even awaken wondering ad-
nniration at subIinity Of conception and grandeur
OF consumrna tion-they do not strike the finer
chords Of hts nature. These only respond when gaz-
ing upon the works that image the Greeks truest.
hottest sentiment, his reverence for his dead. In
them only can those OF this later civilization behold
that OF the Greek in its highest manifestation;
in the pure and severely chaste lines OF sculpturaI
form and architectural pile dedicated, is found
the impress OF his diviner part-his soul freed OF
the dross of earth and OF its greed for the vani-
ties thereof inspired by the sublime sentiments
OF reverential love and alteration, awed by the
majesty Of that passing which is the putting on
OF immortality. and responding 10 the divine i'm
pulse OF the Truth though the light of its
efugent rays yet veied from its vision
There will probably be many dispute or at
least TO hesitate 10 accept these conclusions. To
these il may be said that there are TO be found,
in this great city either in the shape Of replica or
pictured presentation. almost all forms OF classic
art and that they can put the matter to the touch
By comparing the examples Of those expressive Of
every otner thought. feeling. purpose with
some OF the works Of Robert Caterson-in Wood
lawn Cemetery-foT instance. his monuments and
Ynausoleume. Some Of these modelled after the
Greek faithfully reproduce the highest ideals OF
that school in lire. and form. and detail and are
,,q,n a scale 50 magnificent TO present the best
nosslble opportunity for their study
ARTISTIC WORK IN STONE.
Mr.. Caterson whose works at Verio-aye.
enS Tyvo-hundred- and thirty third-st. came 10
New-York from Ireland in lss5, and is about
chs oldest practical stonecutter here. lie learned
l,s trade near Greenwood Cemetery. Brooklyn,
and his first work journeyman was on
the state cauItGI at Columbia. S. c. (No better
cutting Is 10 be found in the country, MI Cater
son says. than that upon that building the col
mrs bavtns, ful. Corfnthian capitals in granite
Aro.har tnnovatiou was the turning OF the ban
ist.rs BIZ machineryl He established -binEeH IN