Evening star., 1923-02-11

outspread wings. gives freedom and
liberty to the slaves from whose arms
and feet the broken shackles or
bondage fall. Two sibyls stand
guard over the freed bondmen. Slav-
cry and one recalled from
the Second Inaugural" the words:
These slaves constituted a peculiar
and powerful interest. All knew that
this interest was somehow the cause
Of the war" and one heard the youth
full Lincoln, fresh from the scenes OF
a New Orleans slave market, say out
of the sick disgust of his soul: IF
I ever get a chance to hit this thing,
I'll hit 1t hard, and one remember
ed the Emancipation Proclamation.
Prophecy was once more fulfilled.
In the left group the central figure
is seated in the chair Of the Law with
the Sword of Justice in one hand and
the Scroll of the Law in the other.
At her feet interpreting the scroll
are two sibyls, while on each side
stands L guardian of the Law hold
ing theetorch of Intelligence. And
|
found worthy allegory and memorial.
In the group to the right tho central
figure is being crowned with the
laurel wreath of Immortality IN the
near presence. Of the figures OF Faith
and Hope and Charity. The symbols
of everlasting life. the vessel Of wine
and the vessel of oil, are present. I'm
mortal, this simple man. this genius,
raised up to lead his people out Of the
wilderness OF confused thinking into
the promised land of sovereign power
among the nations.
Freedom and liberty, justice and the
law. and Immortality is a second
triune theme. and the harmony OF an
answering chord to the theme on the
opposite wall is achieved.
In order that these paintings might
be impervious to the weather, for tho
temples entrance Is wide open. the
method of mixing white wax with his
oils. For safe transportation to
Washington the immense canvases
leach measures 60 feet by 12 feet.
and each weighs $50 pounds) when
painted were rolled upon huge drums
After reaching the temple they were
lifted into position and, with infinite
care, they were unrolled against the
space assigned them and then press
ed homo by means of felt-covered
bricks into the mixture of white lead
and Venetian varnish laid upon the
walls. Wrinkles that could not be
pressed out were cut out by means
Of knife and the scars were obliter-
ated by the artist, who painted over
the out surface.
Since tho murais arc twenty-eiEht
feet above the eyes of the average
beholder, the figures on the canvas,
which are eight and one-half feet
high, are rendered distinct by means
of a Cutting line.
1t will be observed that there are
| no windows opening into the cham
| ber OF memorial. This necessitated
lighting the interior from above
| through the fat roof. Thin slabs of
marble measuring hve-eighths OF an
| wax in hugo watts for forty-eiEht
hours and % rendered translucent as
alabaster. The sunlight slips through
| them almost rs easily as through
glass, save that It Is softened and
| subdued-the glare gone, perhaps
Much light pours through the open
facade also, and one is not consciou.
| Of any dimness In the hall-even the
high murals are distinct and clear In
form and color, SO we'll lighted Is the
| place
TT is not enough to make a brief
i visit to this perfect shrine (though
| for one needs to study 1t in all its
phases, close at hand assuredly, from
the Virginia hills across the Potomac
| (to stand In front OF tho Lee mansion,
with its haunting visions Of slave life
and its memories Of gracious maids
and matrons, or in front Of tho Ar
lington Amphitheater. that ever holds
the memorial in its glance), from thu
bridge that spans tho wide river and
from the height OF tho Washington
Monument.
When all IL said and done the domi-
nant note in the whole memorial is
the gigantic statue of Lincoln, with
| it's tender, gracious strength and
| quiet dignity. Lincoln, the man OF
the people, yes, but a man inspired
] to save a great people in great cri-
sis, coming. as all great leaders do
come. from the wilderness to shape a
i n A
| root out OF a dry ground was he.
who out of that appalling barren
ness found somehow God and His
purpose. He became Z willing inGtru.
| ment in divine hands and his rugged
| not unmusical name 10 one not born
| die