Public Squares and Statues.

**

Public Squares.**

No city in Europe is supplied with more spacious and beautiful public squares, or so great a number of them in proportion to its extent, as Dublin. The largest and most noble of these is called: **

Stephen’s.Green**. - This magnificent area is a perfect square, the walk around which, measured on the flag way, six furlongs, thirty-one perches, and three yards, English measure: and between the chains and railing only 25 perches and one yard less.

The interior of this square was the property of the corporation of Dublin, and sold by them to the inhabitants of the green for an annual consideration of 300l. The green was enclosed by a hedge in 1678, outside which, a deep ditch of stagnant water was carried round, which separated a broad gravel-walk from the interior this walk was sheltered by rows of full-grown elms on each side, and protected from the streets by a wall of 4 feet in height.

Such an arrangement necessarily cast a gloominess on the surrounding houses, and rendered the atmosphere unwholesome.

The improvement, therefore, of Stephen’s Green, was long contemplated, and upon the appointment of a committee to erect the Wellington Trophy, the inhabitants applied for parliamentary aid, to enable them so to improve this noble square, that it might be rendered deserving of the attention of that committee. Commissioners were accordingly appointed in 1815, who levelled and planted the interior, filled the ditch, cut down the large elms, and removed the wall.

They have supplied their places by a range of dwarf stone-pillars, connected by* *iron chains, enclosing a broad gravel walk, within which is a dwarf wall surmounted by iron railing, enclosing 17 acres; in the centre of which stands a brazen equestrian statue of George II. in a Roman military habit, executed by J. Van Nost, 1758. The pedestal was formerly a large mass suitable to the extensive area in which it was placed; but it has been diminished in bulk to suit the present light external decorations of the square, and now appears too trifling a central ornament.

Many curious circumstances are connected with this statue: for a number of years it appeared to be destined to fall, like that of Sejanus, by the hands of ruffians from its remote situation, midnight depredators were induced to make trial of their skill in sawing off a leg or an arm, for the value of the metal; one leg of the horse was cut off, and a saw had nearly penetrated his neck, when the watchmen alarmed by the noise, routed the depredators.

In 1816, a lengthened dispute took place between the commissioners for the improvement of Stephen’s Green, and the committee for the erection of the *Wellington Testimonial, *about the propriety of removing this statue to some other site, and erecting the *Testimonial *in its place; but it was ultimately decided, that a king ought not to be removed to make way for a subject.

Around this area are many magnificent mansions, Mr. Whaly’s, the Lord Chancellor’s, Lord Charleville’s, Lord Ross’s, the Chief Baron’s, the Archbishop of Dublin’s, and Mr. Plunkett’s, and probably the picturesque appearance of the scene is heightened by the extreme irregularity of the buildings. The only public building in this square is the Royal College of Surgeons. **

Merrion-Square** - is the next in dimensions to Stephen’s Green. This spacious and elegant area, which contains about 12 acres of ground, is situated at the south side of the city, and but a few minutes walk from Stephen’s Green; and was laid out in 1762 by Ralph Ward, Esq., and John Ensor, the architect of Antrim-house, on the north side of the square.

The exterior walk round this square measures 4 furlongs, 11 perches, 5 yards; the flagged way is 12 feet broad, and the carriage-road between the path and railing is 50. The interior, is enclosed by lofty iron-railing, on a dwarf wall of mountain-granite. Immediately within the railing is a thickly planted and luxuriant shrubbery, which gives an air of perfect refinement to the interior walk: this walk, which is 14 feet in breadth, is continued entirely round, and measures 3 fur. 7 per. 5 yds. The great inequality of this area adds much to its picturesque appearance.

The houses on the north side of the square are some of the best built and most convenient in Dublin: they were built after the design of Mr. Ensor; the basement stories of all, on that side, are of mountain-granite and rusticated, and the three upper stories are of brick; the houses on the other sides are entirely of brick.

The north side of this square has been a summer promenade for many years. The west is chiefly occupied by the lawn of Leinster House, one of the great ornaments of lie square; and at this side also is the beautiful fountain ornamented with sculpture, erected by the Duke of Rutland about 40 years ago, now a modern ruin.

In the centre is an arch, within which is a nymph, leaning on an urn, whence water is represented as flowing into a shell-formed reservoir: on the frieze of the entablature above, is a beautifully-executed medallion, on which is represented the Marquis of Granby, relieving a soldier’s family in distress; and on one side is an inscription, setting forth the life and conduct of the Duke of Rutland; while on the other, above the orifice of one of the fountains, is this inscription

His saltem accumulem donis, et fungar inani

Munere

Besides Leinster House, there are three splendid mansions in this square, J. Latouche’s, Esq., on the east side, and Antrim House, and the Bishop of Derry’s on the north. (Since the above was written, Mr. Latouche’s mansion has been sold and divided into two good dwellings: Antrim House has passed to Sir Capel Molineux, Bart, and the Bishop of Derry’s is advertised for sale.)

The walk round the lawn of Leinster Rouse, which is accessible to the friends of the members of the Dublin Society, is exactly a quarter of a mile in extent. **

Fitzwilliam-square**.-This beautiful little square is at the south side of the city, not far from the preceding one; the flagged walk around it measures 1 fur. 31 per. 4 yds., and that close to the railing is only eight perches less.

The interior (which is enclosed by an iron railing, resting on a dwarf wall, arid ornamented by lamp-supporters at equal intervals) is laid out in shrubberies and flower-plats, and is below the level of the street, consequently the foot-passenger has a perfect view of the whole garden at one glance. The houses here are not so large as those in Merrion-square, but remarkably well finished, and produce a large rent. Until lately but three sides were erected, and from this circumstance was derived the principal advantage this square possessed, namely, the magnificent mountain view on the south side, which is now shut out. **

Rutland-square**. - The Rotunda Gardens (Rutland-square) are at the rear of the lying-in-Hospital, anti were opened by Dr. Mosse, the founder of the hospital, for the purpose of holding Sunday evening promenades, for the benefit of that establishment. These entertainments were continued for many years, to the great advantage of the funds of the hospital, until the Association for discountenancing Vice petitioned the governors of the charity to suppress them; since which, the gardens have only been opened on the other evenings in the week during the summer season, on which occasions, one and sometimes two military bands attend, and play from eight till ten o’clock, while the persons admitted promenade along a terrace in front of the orchestra, 18 perches in length:- the walk round the entire square, inside, measures 1 fur. 35 per. the interior, which is thickly planted, is on promenade evenings brilliantly illuminated; and, lately, singers have been introduced to amuse in the intervals between the different airs called for by the visitors.

The receipts of one evening, at this place of amusement, have been known to amount to upwards of 20l which is a considerable sum, if we consider that the price of admission is only Sixpence.

This garden is remarkable for the good taste with which it has been laid out, and the very picturesque and pleasing variety afforded by the inequality of the grounds.

The houses around this square are all noble structures; amongst them are those of Lord Charlemont [see art. Charlemont house], Lord Longford, the Countess of Ormond, Bective House, the Countess of Farnham’s, and several others. Three sides are designated by different names; the north is called Palace-row, the east Cavenish-row, and the west Granby-row; the south is wholly occupied by the Lying-in-Hospital and Public Rooms. **

Mountjoy Square**. -This small, regular, and elegant-square, which is named after the proprietor, Viscount Mountjoy (now Earl of Blessington), is not far from Rutland-square. The houses (72 in number, 18 on each side) are all regular and nearly equal in size, none of them however are remarkable for magnitude. The extent of the walk on the flagged-way round the square is 2 fur. 27. per., and the walk within the railing 1 fur. 22 per. The interior, containing 4 acres, is enclosed by an iron railing, and is laid out with much taste in serpentine walks, and planted with shrubs and evergreens. The air in air in this neighbourhood is considered extremely pure, being at the extremity of Dublin, and on the most elevated ground.

There is a small square in the liberty called the Weavers’-square, measuring not more than 120 feet on each side, and entirely paved, like the *places *in Paris. **

Statues.**

Besides the statue of his late majesty George III. in the Bank of Ireland, another of the same monarch, and one of Dr. Lucas, in the Royal Exchange, an equestrian statue of George II. on Stephen’s Green, and another of George I. at the Mansion House, Dawson-street, - there is an equestrian figure of William III. on College Green, On a pedestal of granite-stone of considerable elevation, the pannels of which are decorated with military emblems.

This statue was erected in 1700 to perpetuate the remembrance of the Revolution of 1688, and gave great offence to the Roman Catholic inhabitants, particularly from a custom adopted by the corporation, of decking it with orange ribbands upon certain days; latterly, none but the lowest orders of the populace felt any indignation at this childish transaction, and the practice of firing over the statue has been altogether discontinued. In 1821, the Lord Mayor (Sir A. B. King, Bart.) requested these decorations might be discontinued, but he could not persuade the enthusiastic admirers of the great warrior to abandon their favourite amuse meflt.

On several occasions, the insulted party expressed their wounded feelings by mutilating the statue: in 1800 the sword and truncheon were torn from it, and other acts of violence committed upon it; in 1805, on the eve of its decoration), after it had been painted with most glaring and brilliant colours, some of the same offended party ascended the pedestal and blackened the figure all over with a greasy substance, which it was found very difficult to remove; upon this occasion, it was, that the Member for the University applied the following quotation so happily, “Hic *niger *est, hunc tu *Romane *caveto.” **

Nelson’s Pillar**. - The foundation stone of this noble column was laid in Sackville-street, February 15, 1808, by the Duke of Richmond.

It is after a design of W Wilkins, Esq., (Who was likewise architect of the Nelson column at Yarmouth, which is also of the Grecian Doric order, and very similar in its general design) of Caius College, Cambridge, and is of the Doric order, and fluted. On the pedestal are the names, Trafalgar, St. Vincent, Nile, Copenhagen, with the dates of the battles fought at those places; and above the cornice of the pedestal, on the side facing the New-bridge, is a large sarcophagus. The abacus of the capital is surmounted by a strong iron railing, enclosing the platform upon the top, and surrounding a podium or circular pedestal 12 ft. 6 in. high, upon which is a colossal statue of the Hero leaning against the capstan of a ship. This figure, which is executed by Kirk, is 13 feet in height. From the gallery is a commanding view of the city and bay. The balcony, to which the ascent is by 168 steps, is 108 feet from the ground, and the entire height of the top of the statue 134 ft. 3 in.

The entire expense of this column was 6,856l. **

The Wellington Testimonial**. - Though this stupendous mass of building is not actually within the city, yet its being seen from so many different parts of Dublin, and standing in the Phoenix Park, justify some slight description of it.

A committee was appointed for disposing of a fund amounting to near 20,000l. in raising a testimonial of gratitude to the illustrious deliverer of our country, and several sites within the city were pointed out - Stephen’s Green, Merrion-square, &c.; many models were laid before the committee, all of which are still preserved in Leinster House. The public in general appeared to prefer the model of Mr. Hamilton, while the committee selected that of R. Smirke, jun., Esq. an English architect.

The testimonial is in the form of an obelisk, or truncated pyramid, 205 fret high. A platform accessible by four flights of steps supports a pedestal 56 feet square, and 24 feet high; the pannels of which are to be ornamented with bas-relief medallions, representing different victories won by his Grace: in front of the pedestal, on an insulated pedestal, an equestrian statue of the Duke in his military habit is intended to be placed. From the pedestal rises the obelisk, having the names of the victories won by the Duke, from his entrance into military life to the battle of Waterloo, inscribed on the four facades.

In the view of the Law Courts, drawn for this work, this obelisk is seen in the distance, on an elevated situation in the Phoenix Park, formerly occupied by the salute battery, and commanding a view of the whole city.

To Chapter 19. Wright Index. Home.