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| CAPTAIN BOYD'S STATUE, ST. PATRICK'S, DUBLIN. -The speaking statue presented in the sketch is that of Captain John McNeill Boyd, of the British Navy, a native of Londonderry, distinguished in his profession, who lost his life off the rocks of Kingstown harbor on February 9, 1861, while endeavoring to rescue the crew of a ship-wrecked brig. Captain Boyd was a man of knightly courage and his death caused wide-spread regret in Ireland and Great Britain. As St. Patrick's Cathedral is the Irish Westminster, the admirer of the galliant sailor resolved to erect there a statue to commemorate his bravery and humanity. The figure represents him in the act of giving commands to his crew on the quarter deck of his vessel. The very attitude is eloquent, and the poise of the fine head is perfect. The firm chin and compressed lips denote devotion to duty, even to the death-a virtue the bold Captain proved he possessed by the sacrifice of a life full of honor and of promise. This staue is regarded as one of the finest of the numerous splendid memorial of the distinguished dead contained in St. Patrick's. By many it is regarded as the master work of the sculptor Farrell. The figure stands between the first two pillars of the south arcade of the nave of the cathedral. |
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