THE STATUARY.

Press, Volume XXI, Issue 2370, 10 March 1873, Page 3

THE STATUARY.

to the editor of the press. Sir, —A few days since I saw amongst your locals that a gentleman of tho long robe had taken exception to the exhibition, in the shop window of one of our most respectable tradesmen, of a photograph, I believe, of the lovely Lottie (attired in rather short garments), who is about exhibiting hero with the Magnet Troup. And that he haa also applied to the police to have tho said picture removed. It is no doubt bad enough to expose these semi-nudo' pictures to the public ga_e, but what about tho collection of, I am told, beautiful statues that have been presented to this province by a gentlemen of well known liberality, and are now at tho Museum. While he is about it, could not this gentleman restrain Dr Haast, the director of Museum, from opening the annex on Monday, as stated per advertisement it his intention of doing. Thia said annexe contains a number of casts of some of the most celebrated classic statues, which have been admired in all ages, and by all classes ; but, will yoh believe it, they are almost all nude. Is not this shocking? Cannot the learned doctor be restrained from opening this said annexe, or at least have these figures clothed before the public are admitted. To begin with the ladies, there is a Venus de Medici ; could she not have a nice robe, also a crinoline, and any other article of female apparel that would set off her fino figure to the best advantage. No doubt ono of our fashionable modists would give her a proper and suitable fit out for a consideration. The professor might add head-dress, a chignon with a plaited tail a, hi mermaid, to be well developed on the top. And this surmounted with one of those darling little brigand hats with a feather on the top. This, I think, would look well. A little rouge might bo added to her lovely but rather pale face, which no doubt arises from the effects of her

long sea voyage. There is another lady, but at this moment I do not recollect her name ;

for when I visited her she seemed to bo just coming out of a bath, and had not yet donned her clothes. She seemed bashful and. modest, and was perhaps rather taken aback at my rude appearance, and therefore did not address mc. Could not some kindly disposed soul step forward and present the lady with suitable raiment ?

Now for the gentlemen. First, there is a dying gladiator quite without garments, these having no doubt been carried oft! by his victor. I think 6ome generous volunteer might step forward and show some fellow-; feeline* towards a departing comrade, and furnish him with a suitable dress— cay an , old uniform, Bay City Guards. But this lam afraid might lead to jealousy amongst tho different companies. To obviate this, each company might contribute some article of dress. An artillery busby or a yeoman's helmet lying on the ground would be very effective. Another gentleman with a. bad wound on the face and other ghastly woundon his body ought, I think, to be cured before he is called upon to make his public appearance ; and this learned doctor should set about the benevolent work as Soon as possible ; in fact, it would be only hulnaue, or at least it would look so, aud in these times appearances go a long way. There is also a Mr Demosthenes, I believe a great victor in olden time. He would look well if properly attired in wig and gown. Could not our legal friend furnish with one or both of these articles 1 I merely throw this out as a suggestion. Yours, kc, Purist.