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M  a  u  s  o  l  e  u  m

     Photo Submitted by, and Copyright of :- Richard Cutts of Bolton.

This beautifully carved statute by Nollekens is the one that gave rise to the tale of the sculpture committing suicide that I mentioned on the previous page.  (see here)   . The praise bestowed on Rockingham in the eulogy on the plinth, can only be described as having been applied with a builders trowel, but none the less it is still worth a read, particularly the last paragraph with its caption at the end.

It is reproduced in part below:-

"His private virtues, without any change in their character, expanded with the occasion into enlarged publick affections. The very same tender, benevolent, feeling, liberal mind, which, in the internal relations of life, conciliated the genuine love of those who see men as they are, rendered him an inflexible patriot. He was devoted to the cause of freedom, not because he was haughty and intractable, but because he was beneficent and humane.
A sober, unaffected, unpresuming piety, the basis of all sure morality, gave truth and permanence to his virtues.
He died at a fortunate time, before he could feel, by a decisive proof, that virtue like his must be nourished from its own substance only, and cannot be assured of any external support.
Let his successors, who daily behold this monument, consider that it was not built to entertain the eye, but to instruct the mind. Let them reflect, that their conduct will make it their Glory, or their Reproach. Let them feel that similarity of Manners, not proximity of Blood, gives them an interest in this statue."

REMEMBER. RESEMBLE. PERSEVERE.

The Busts

Surrounding the statue you will find eight busts of his friends, which can be viewed here.


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