MORALITY.
On each of the four buttresses or wing pedestals is a seated figure; they are emblematic of the principles upon which the Pilgrims proposed to found their commonwealth. The first is Morality, holding the Decalogue in her left, and the scroll of Revelation in her right hand; her look is upward toward the impersonation of the Spirit of Religion above; in a niche, on one side of her throne, is a prophet, and in the other, one of the Evangelists. The second of these figures is Law: on one side Justice; on the other Mercy. The third is Education: on one side Wisdom, ripe with years; on the other Youth, led by Experience. The fourth figure is Freedom: on one side Peace rests under its Protection; on the other Tyranny is overthrown by its powers. Below these seated figures are marble alto-reliefs, representing scenes from the history of the Pilgrims:—the Departure from Delft Haven; the first Treaty with the Indians; Signing of the Social Compact; and the Landing at Plymouth. On each of the four faces of the main pedestal is a large panel for records. That in front contains the general inscription of the monument, viz., “National Monument to the Forefathers. Erected by a grateful people in remembrance of their labors, sacrifices and sufferings for the cause of civil and religious liberty.” The right and left panel contain the names of those who came over in the “Mayflower.” The rear panel is plain, to have an inscription at some future day.
LAW.
The total height of the Monument is eighty-one feet, from the ground to the top of the head of the statue of Faith. The following are some of the dimensions of this great piece of work, said, on good authority, to be the largest and finest piece of granite statuary in the world: the height of the base is forty-five feet; height of statue, thirty-six feet. The outstretched arm measures from shoulder to elbow, ten feet one and one-half inches; from elbow to the tip of finger, nine feet nine inches; total length of arm, nineteen feet ten and one-half inches. The head measures around the forehead thirteen feet seven inches. The points of the star, in the wreath around the head are just one foot across. The arm, just below the short sleeve, measures six feet ten inches around; below the elbow, six feet two inches. The wrist is four feet around. The length of the finger pointing upwards is two feet one inch, and is one foot eight and one-half inches around. The thumb measures one foot eight and one-half inches around. The circumference of the neck is nine feet two inches and the nose is one foot four inches long. From centre to centre of the eyes is one foot six inches. The figure is two hundred and sixteen times life size and its weight one hundred and eighty tons. A bolt of lightning ran down the arm and figure Aug. 23, 1912, splitting and displacing two blocks of the central section. They were restored to position, without taking down the monument, by Mr. George W. Bradford, a Plymouth contractor, a feat which reflected much credit upon his engineering skill.
The statue of Faith was the gift of the late Oliver Ames, a native of Plymouth, and its cost was $31,300. The total cost of the Monument was $150,000, contributed by more than 11,000 people of the United States and other countries.
Pilgrim Hall
PILGRIM HALL, BUILT IN 1824.
