New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-08-20

OF living statuary and the requirements of dra-
matte realism. If there had been systematic
degeneration OF the beautiful legend which Ten
nyson embalmed in imperishable verse; the pry-
ing spirit of prurient curiosity represented by
Peeplng Tom was satisfied. AS for the saints,
monarchs and Processes associated with the
annals Of the town. they were left shift for
themselves Nobody cared whether St. George
was born in Coventry, nor what happened to
maid or dragon. The tournament between the
Dukes of Hereford and Norfolk on Gosford
Green. broken UP by Richard II. lacked inspira-
ton for the good nature mob OF spectators.
Mary Stuart, led captive to her death at Fother-
ingay Castle. passed without the tribute Of
sympathetic sigh. Charles 1 only of
the runp of royalties struggling in with the
rear guard. Whether Sir John Falstaff and his
ragged regiment marched through Coventry or
revolted against royal command was a matter
OF no Importance La Milo rode in triumph
without wabblng of saddle or sign of fatigue,
and all the Peeping Toms looked her over and
were well pleased with the pageant. If any
sitive spectator had qualms of conscience he
could contribute to the local hospitals; for it
was a ride for charity, and before and after
Lady Godiva passed collectors with long poles
were taking toll from the occupants of balconies
and windows, maidens in fancy dress were rat
Ting contribution boxes and clowns were hold
ing up motor and carriages for tribute.
Coventry, having had town masque for two
hundred years has not been affected by the
mania for pageants. 1t has revived the old
time procession without attempting TO illus
trate effectively the foundation of monastic or
ders. the racial strife between Britons and
Saxons. the adventures of Plantagenets, Tudors
and Stuarts and the creation of civil order. The
mythical story of Lady Godiva's ride is the
golden thread connecting indissolubly the mod
ern Coventry Of the three lofty spires. the quaint
tinbered houses and the cycle and motor car in
dustries with the mediaval past of poetry and
romance That story, repeated generation after
generation in the periodical professions with
simple pageantry. has enabled the busy. hum
drum town TO renew its childhood and to lay
claim TO a stored antiquity. Perhaps the at
tempt 10 make IL more dramatic and crowd-col-
lecting by the enlistment of theatrical Godiva
has been i'll advised, but the only story which
really interests Coventry has been told anew in
the presence Of an unprecedented concourse OF
witnesses. There has always been civic enbar-
rassment in adjusting the traditional costume Of
white satin edged with swansdown to modern
ideas OF propriety and decency. and to-day's
compromise has been fairly satisfactory be-
tween conventions and realism. There has been
too much talk. however. about living statues.
and the fussy municipal authorities have acted
though they playing with fire. The
pageant has been degraded to the level Of
Peeping Tom Of the Restoration period. and the
symbolism Of a beautiful medieval myth has
been impaired. The statue of the graceful
rider in ST. Mary's Hall embodies the truth that
sacrifice is the ransom Of liberty. There is
more inspiration IN il than in the coarse face
and sensual leer of the carved oak head of the
scandalmongering tailor 1. N F.