The Colorado statesman., 1913-02-08

gun park. Inc
Spanish war re-
suited in such additions to these relic
cannon that the gun park formation
was abandoned and the venerable
weapons, recalling many red Incl
dents of war, were planted around
the base walls, on the stairways and
in various angles of the outer walls
Of the big building.
| The most beautiful If not the most
historic of these mementos of inter
national tragedy are the big bronze
guns that flank the foot of the north
stairway at the main entrance. The
guns are green-gray, deep covered
with verdegris. They are chased with
those embellishments which gunmak
ers do not now bestow upon their
work. These guns, as was the olden
custom, have names. Old guns had
individuality. The east gun of the pair
is La Farouche-wild, savage, severe,
fierce. The Office French dictionary
gives "farouche" only as an adjective,
but. anyhow, the name of this art
wrought example of ordinance is "The
Fierce" The west gun is lie Passe
Partout," the Master Key, the key
that would unlock a fortress or
ships side and open a breach in the
enemys line.
LIE Farouche bears a circle of lilies
In rear of the muzzle. The fleur-de-
lis of the house of Bourbon is prom
lnent in the ornamentation of the
gun. LIE Farouche bears the crown
of France surrounding battle en-
blems flags drums, trumpets, sabers
and cannon-and the coat of arms of
France. Behind the trunnions, where
a modern gun would wear its jacket,
is the face of a woman, probably
Pallas. surrounded by the rays of a
blazing sun. The gun is inscribed
with the legend Nee Pluribus Impair"
and no unequal match for many an
tagonists was the motto of
King Louis XIV. The handles are
dolphins of rare workmanship and the
cascabel, or base of the breech, is
the face of lion, wildly leonine, with
the butt of thorned stake, or war
club. protruding from his distended
mouth. On the cascabel rim are the
name of the founder, the place and
Douay, lie 81 Juliet, 174S."
Between the trunnions and the YER
tical vent is inscribed: Louis Charles
de Bourbon, Compile d'Eu, Due
d'Aumale." 1t also bears the motto
"Ultimo Ratio Regum." The gun is,
oof course, smooth bore, its caliber
Is six inches, it's length eleven feet
and four inches and its weight $3.50
pounds. To one of the dolphin ham
; dies is chained a bronze tag which
tells that the beautiful peacemaker is
Spanish war trophy cast by Jean
Maritz at Douay, July. 174s. and that
It was taken from the Notifications of
Santiago 1t was received in Wash
lngton from New York arsenal May
27, 1909. Its mount is a small iron
carriage.
The west gun, or LIE Passe Partout
Is similar in model and differently,
though just as elaborately and ele-
gantly, ornamented. 1t bears the fa-
miliar circle of lily work on the chase
In rear of the muzzle. Its name is in
scribed upon it and also this: LIE
, Mareschal due de Humieres." 1t
bears the crown and coat of arms of
france and a design in which battle
emblems are artfully grouped. The
handles are dolphins. and woman's
tull face, with streaming hair. sur
rounded by the rays of the sun shows
upon it. ultima Ratio Regum" and
Nee Pluribus Impair are engraved
upon the barrel, these valiant phrases
perhaps having some occult connec-
nrin hoI
listics of that period. An inscription
tells that it was cast at Douay in
1893 by Kelleritiguro a Helvetian.
Its caliber is SIX inches, its length
eleven feet eight inches and its
weight 5000 pounds. 1t was taken
from the Notifications at the mouth
of Santiago harbor, either the MORO
Or Socapa. in 1898, and was received
in Washington from New York ar
senal May 81, 1899. These trophies
are worthy of a close examination.
The history of these guns, other
than as indicated by their inscrip-
tions and their capture by Americans,
Is not known. The guns are silent as
to their past. 1t was probably glori
ous. but they must have tasted the
bitterness of defeat, else how could
these brave French guns have come
Into possession of Spain? After three
centuries of bloody service under the
banners of kings 1t must seem tame
to these old war guns to point stead
fastly out upon such peaceful pros
meet as Pennsylvania avenue.
Seeking Fresh Water.