Page:Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham.djvu/304

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292
SHOWELL'S DICTIONARY OF BIRMINGHAM.

coat, while the other hangs down by his side, emblematic of the Christian charity so characteristic of cur distinguished representative.

Boulton.—There is a fine bust of Matthew Bolton in Handsworth, and as the owner of the great Soho Works certainly did much to advance the manufactures of this town, foreigners have often expressed surprise that no statue has been erected to his memory.

Buddha.—The bronze statue of Buddha, now in Aston Hall, is supposed to be 2,500 years old, and was found buried among the ruins of a temple at Soottan, on the Ganges, Dec 6, 1862. It was presented to this town in 1864 by Mr. Samuel Thornton.

Chamberlain, J.—The memorial at the rear of the Town Hall bears the following inscription:—

"This memorial is erected in gratitude for public service given to this town by Joseph Chamberlain, who was elected town councillor in November, 1869, Mayor in 1873, and resigned that office in June, 1876, on being returned as one of the representatives of the borough of Birmingham in Parliament, and during whose mayoralty many great works were notably advanced, and mainly by whose ability and devotion the gas and water undertakings were acquired for the town, to the great and lasting benefit of the inhabitants.

The memorial was designed by Mr. J. H. Chamberlain, of the firm of Martin and Chamberlain, and was presented to the town October 26, 1880, during the mayoralty of Mr. Richard Chamberlain. The medallion of the right hon. gentleman is the work of Mr. Thomas Woolner, E.A.

Chamberlain, J. H.—The sum of £2,744 13s. 6d. raised by subscription for the founding of a memorial of the late Mr. John Henry Chamberlain, was given to the Midland Institute, with which the lamented gentleman was so intimately connected.

Dawson.—A public meeting was held Jan. 3, 1877, to decide on a memorial of George Dawson, and the sum of £2,287 13s. 9d. was subscribed for a statue to be erected at the rear of the Town Hall, but it was esteemed so poor a portrait that after a little while it was removed, in favour of the present statue. A very pleasing bust, which is a very striking likeness and really characteristic portrait was unveiled at the Church of the Saviour, Aug. 8, 1882. It bears the following inscription:—

In Loving Memory of

George Dawson, M.A.

Coming to this town in the year 1844, he gathered round him a band of followers, who found in his teaching a fervent religious spirit, and a fearless trust in God as our Heavenly Father, in union with an earnest search after truth. To perpetuate such union they built this Church, which he opened August 8, 1847, and in which he ministered until his death. Not in this Church only, but throughout the land did lie everywhere teach to nations: that they are exalted by righteousness alone—to men: "To do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God."

He was born February 24, 1821, and died November 30, 1876.

"I have fought the good fight."

Mr. T. J. Williamson, who executed this bust was entrusted with the order for the new statue.

George IV.—The first bronze statue ever cast in Birmingham was that of George IV., the work of Sir Edward Thomason, in 1823. Sir Edward employed the best of talent and spared no pains to turn out a splendid work of art, but he never found a customer for it. The statue is 6ft. high, weighing 2½ tons, and costing over £1.500, but was sold in November, 1880, to a gentleman in the neighbourhood for £150, little more than the value of that metal.

Goldsmith.—The statue of Goldsmith, in the hall of the Reference Library, is a plaster cast of the bronze statue manufactured by Messrs. Elkington for the City of Dublin.

Hill.—The sum of £1,500 was raised by public subscription, for the purpose of erecting a statue of Sir Rowland Hill. The work was executed in marble by Mr. P. Hollins, and pending the erection of the new Post Office buildings, the charge of the statue was accepted by the Exchange Build-