Identifier: newyorkbysunligh00mcca_1 (find matches)
Title: New York by sunlight and gaslight : a work descriptive of the great American metropolis ; its high and low life; its splendors and miseries; its virtu
Year: 1882 (1880s)
Authors: McCabe, James D., 1842-1883.
Subjects:
Publisher: New York : Union Publishing House
Contributing Library: Columbia University Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: The Durst Organization

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he construction will be a curiouspiece of engineering skill. At night it is proposed thata halo of jets of light shall radiate from the temples ofthe enormous goddess, and perhaps the flame of thetorch may be fashioned in crystal, in order that it maycatch the light of the sun by day, and at night form aglowing object illuminated by electricity. In respect to the pose of the statue, that has beencalculated with care. A Liberty would have to bedraped, even if a draped statue were not advisable, ina climate as cold as ours, where nude figures suggestextreme discomfort. But M. Bartholdi has also usedhis drapery to give a tower-like and therefore solidlook to the lofty woman, without forgetting the neces-sity for variety in the upward lines. * * * * She will stand so as to suggest that the strongesthurricane could never budge her from the pedestalshe has chosen. Her gesture is meant to call theattention of the most distant person, and, moreover,to let him know unmistakably what the figure
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94 NEW YORK. means. For in this statue M. Bartholdi has appliedhis science to fine effect in getting the figure outlinedagainst the sky, while the energetic attitude has notinterfered with a certain dignified repose which inheresin the resting position, and which may be owing to theweight of the body being thrown on the left leg, aswell as to the grave folds of ample drapery. Even ifa stranger approaching from the Narrows should notknow at once what she is holding up for him to see, theenergy of her action will awaken his curiosity, and thedignity of it will make him await a nearer approachwith confidence. When he can make out the tablets ofthe law which jut out from her left side as they rest onher bent arm, and the flaming torch which she holdshigh up above her head, while her eyes are fixed on thehorizon, he will be dull indeed if he does not under-stand what she wishes to tell. This grand statue will be the most notable ornamentof the harbor, and one of the most prominent attrac-t

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