John a Roebling An Account of the Ceremonies At the Unveiling of a Monument to

of tlie Gorllam Manufacturing Compaoy in Provitlence, R. I. The cast was made from a clay model designed by William Conper, the sculptor, in his studio, 207 East Seventeenth street, New York city. The pedestal is built of red Swedish granite. On the right side of this granite pedestal is a hro lzep anel containing a reproduction in relief of the first railroad si spension bridge built over the Niagara. On the left side is another panel con-. tailling a replica, also in relief, of the Brooklyn Bridge, designed by Mr. Roebling. INTRODUCTION. While many monuments have been erected in honor of those who have achieved distinction in statecraft, who have led victorious armies upon hard fought battlefields, or who by the exercise of exceptional literary gifts have appealed to world wide sympathies and affections, the sculptors art has been seldom employed to commemorate the virtues of men whose lives were spent in scientific and industrial pursuits. It has been said that a great engineer dealing with material things, and bending them to his will, leaves behind him monuments in the works built upon his designs. This is true, but while an imposing structure may give evidence of the genius of the builder, it suggests but little of the man himself, and it is therefore proper that those who deem him worthy, should give expression in material form to the esteem in which they hold his memory. T o the small number of monuments erected in honor of eminent engineers, there has recently been added, at Trenton, N. J., a statue of John A. Roebling. Mr. Roebling was not a native of Trenton, nor of the country in which the greater part of his life was spent. Yet so important was his work and so strong the impression left by his personality, it is not strange that the people of his adopted city desired to place in their principal park, a statue portraying the man as he looked in the prime of his active life. A committee of citizens took the matter in hand and solicited popular subscriptions which resulted in contributions from a large number of the people of Trenton, who had either known Mr. Roebling or appreciated the benefit of his services to their community. The monument was designed by Mr. William Couper, of New York, under whose direction there was produced a striking likeness of the great engineer. It was unveiled on June 30th, 1908, in the presence of over 15,000 people, among whom were the Governbr of New Jersey, the representatives of the State in the United States Senate and a number of other distinguished guests. Throughout the city of Trenton there was a general display of flags, the occasion being officially recognized, locally, by the closing of the City Hall and Court House at noon and the attendance of the City and County officials in a body. The City of M iilhausen, Germany, the birthplace of Mr. Roebling, sent an artistic copper wreath as its tribute to his memory. Notable features of the dedication ceremonies were a concert by Winklers Second Regiment Band, singing by the United German Singing Societies of Trenton under the direction of Dr. Car1 Hoffman, and addresses by Hon. Edward C. Stokes, former Governor of New Jersey, and Mr. Henry D. Estabrook, of New York, General Counsel for the Western Union Telegraph Company. Prior to the unveiling of the monument, 6500 men, employees of the industry founded by John A...