Page:The Granite Monthly Volume 6.djvu/176

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^56

��THE GRANITE MONTHLY.

��hair is parted on each side, puffed over but not entirely concealing the ears and braided in a cue and tied in the back. The epaulets are large, collar high, cravat close and wide, large buttons on the sleeve, cuffs with full frills as at the bosom, the coat closed across the chest by two buttons falling back from the lower one, turned, showing elegant silk facings carried behind and attached to the skirt swallow-tail wise — short vest with very narrow laps though provid- ed with a safety button, seals and keys pendent from a wide chain, " tights " with four buttons, small as in those on the vest, the buckle of the narrow gar- ter showing on the right limb above the square-toed, turn-over top-boots, with tassels on the outer sides. Both mar- bles are slightly veined and the bases are of a Rhode Island red granite, tak- ing good polish though rather lighter in color than the Scotch. Simmons. Sculpt.

East of the south corridor stands Vermont's colossal Ethan Allen, the artist being another of her sons, Larkin G. Mead. The well-knit figure, instinct with life, is that of a hardy mountain- eer in the proud strength of young man- hood, the sword in the right hand drawn from the scabbard, yet for the moment trailing its point on the ground, the left fist clenched emphatically against the chest demanding the surrender of Ti- eonderoga, "In the name of Jehovah and the Continental Congress." It is the only covered head in the sacred presence. The high flaps of the three-cornered military cocked hat, with cockade on the right side and without plume, as the official head-gear of revolutionary times, is well worth preservation, but the forehead would be sacrificed to it. It comes in here with- out loss, as no portrait existed, and the deep eyes flashing under the short thick curls and the firm lips are ideal. The epaulets, leathern straps crossed on the back, silken sash tied at the left side with immense knobbed tassels, laces, long vest, oblong seal and wide watch-chain, the silk-faced coat-skirt turned back and buttoned behind, the

��buttons highly polished, the short clothes and high wide-topped square- toed boots much wrinkled at the instep, are the costume of the day. We have questioned whether it were in accord- ance with the principles of correct taste to lower the pedestal in order that the colossal figure might corre- spond in height with the others !

Continuing around the hall, at the south-east corner Connecticut has en- scribed her name on pedestals of black and white finely mottled Vermont mar- ble, presenting in semi-heroic two of her sons, grand men of substance — sculptured by "C. B. Ives, Romae." Trumbull, in 1869, and Sherman, 1870. Jonathan Trumbull, father of the paint- er, friend and secretary of Washington, who called him "Brother Jonathan," in Congress as delegate and Speaker of the House, and Senator and Gov- ernor of his state, a majestic, tall, but not over-portly frame, stands reading a bill on foolscap, many sheets joined by a band, on the back of which is inscribed in red — "To the Honorable Council and House of Representatives, in General Court convened, 1783," the paper held at length, nor yet folded or rolled, by both hands, the right below. The forehead of the serene face is very high, a long head and cheeks, sunken lips and double chin ; hair full over the ears and clubbed. The coat to the knees has a very low collar, cravat close, full ruffles at neck, narrower at wrists ; the long waistcoat has very wide pock- et-covers close buttoned at the ends and middle buttons on the sleeve-cuff, the breeches have four large buttons, garter buckle square, those on the shoes long and flat. A neat, square- collared cloak with cape nearly to the elbows, from which the lower left arm is free, and tucked up under the other arm, covers most of the person to the feet.

Roger Sherman, shoemaker, lawyer, judge, one of the committee of five to draft the Declaration of Independ- ence, and a signer of the document, stands in stately dignity with right arm extended before the person, the fore- finger and thumb advanced, the other

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