The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-27
BELT-LAWES TRIAL
VIVIDL.Y RECALLED

to execute bust. under the very
eyes Of the Jury. Els challenge was
accepted; table, clay. water, etc,
were brought In. and Judge. oounsei
gradually assume. under the busy
fingers OF Belt, q resemblance to hu-
man mead and shoulders. Belt GER
tainly had produced a bust But it
was a matter OF opinion whether this
was a work OF art. Lord Leighton.
then the president of the Royal Aoad-
9my. himself an eminent sculptor: Sir
I ION Millais. the famous painter. and
me well-fnown sculptor Thornycroft,
all three declared this handiwork OF
BELT to be utterly devoid of artistic
merit, and manifestly fashioned by
airerent hands to those which had
produced the Byron memorial. etc.
however. the jury. who wero COM
posed or petty LONDON tradesInen, ab-
solutely devoid OF any Knowledge OF
or taste Tor art. and who would prob
aoIy have boen unable TO pass upon
the rival merits or q tobnccouist's
sign and masterpiece OF PraxIteles.
watched Belt model something that
thcy could SEQ tor thene elves looked
exactly like human head. gave Il
verdict In his favor for $4,000 dam .
ages.
Many well-informed people derided
the result OF this trial. as proving
the utter incompetence or o British
pury to come to q sensible decision on
matter OF art. Charles Lawes APP
pealed TO 4 higher court. but as there
was not sufficient proof OF any fail
ure or justce in the court bcIow, the
decision was affirmed. Convinced with
IN his own mind. however, that no
mad right on his side. Charles Lawes
o oedus ,sS 10 pay penny OF ina sZi.-
VVo damages or of Belts costs. for
which he was liable as the tossing par
" to the suit. Therefore, on the ld l.
vice of his lawyer, Sir George Lew, 3,
ne resorted to the Bankruptcy Court,
l..N " nc
easily obtained discharge ot all his
debts, including the $4,000 damages
ana costs owing to Richard Belt.
II was In the year 13o0-twelve years
aso-that ne succeeded to his father a
oaronetcy and estates. and two years
afterwards assumed the name of Wit
1Iewronge in addition to that OF
Lawes. as already mentioned ON sue
ceeolng to the extensive property of
a relative. and In compliance With the
stipuiations Of the latters will This
cnahSe was regretted by many OF Sir
|hariess friends; for the name or
only in the realm of art, through Sir
Cnarles's chiscl. but IN agriculture,
IN which science his father achieved
eminence, being generally regarded Ms
the founder OF the artificial manurs
Industry.
1t was In 1912 that he patented q
with sulphuric acid. His Experiments
began in 1887, on his Roihainstead en-
tates, when he tried the effects of va :
rious manures on plants in pots. after
wards turning his attention to crops
IN the fields For half q century. with
tho assistance of Sir ]. II. Gtlbert, Ne.
carried on his experiments OF raising
Crops and feeding animals. rendering
Rothamstead famous in the eyes Of
scientific agriculturists alt over the
world. In order that this work mi gin,
aside fund OF 100000 to found the
l-awcs Agricultural Trust. which has
now become permanent institution.
Sir Charles wes-Wittewronge IS
succeeded In his baronetcy and cs-
tates by his son John, who Is In his
fortteth year. is married and has three
children.
Copyright. 1912. by the Brentwood
Company.)