MONUMENT TO KING ROBERT THE BRUCE.

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 189, 22 February 1878, Page 7

MONUMENT TO KING ROBERT THE BRUCE.

The Bruce Monument Committee, after a laborious task extending over a period of seven years, have at length witnessed the completion ol their work, the statue to the illustrious warrior wbo secured the independence of his country being unveiled at Stirling, on November 24 by Lady Alexander of Westerton. The movement was originated in London some seven or eight years ago by a few enthusiastic Scotchmen. The eminent sculptor, Mr Curne, Darnick, was engaged to cut the monument in stone, and the result was the production ofthe statue which was unveiled on the above date. The exact spot upon which the monument is erected 'is 140 ft. east of the Counterscarp, and 10 ft. from the north wall of the Esplanade— a spot whence may be descried a portion of the battlefields of Stirling* Bridge and Bannockburn Resting on its massive pedestal, the statue can be traced from the adjacent, plain, and not indistinctly seen from the Wallace Monument on the Abbey Craig, a mile and a half to tbe northeastward. The statue, represents the Patriot King in the act ot sheathing his sword. He is equipped in chain ancl plate armour, with a plumed helmet, clasped by a crown of gold. His countenance indicates magnanimity and gentleness ; across his shoulders is a royal robe, which the artist has ingeniously draped. Behind the statue is a Scottish shield, on which rests the crosier of St.Fillan, borne by the Abbot, of Inch affray, as he signalled the troops to an act of devotion, when the battle of Bannockburn commenced. Resting against the shield is the king's battleaxe, a blow from wbich foiled tlie adventurous Bohun. Shield and battleaxe are surrounded by plants of the Scottish thistle — the national emblem, fhe statue, nine feet in height, is supported on a freestone pedestal, six feet square and ten feet high, and which bears, the lion rampart on its centre block. On the western face of the pedestal is the inscription : — " KingRobert the Bruce, June 24, 1314."-—

the date of the battle of Bannockburn. Sir James Alexander formally handed over the monument to the custody of the Provost and Magistrates, and in doing so inciclently alluded to some of the difficulties with which the committee had to contend. In the evening* several banquets were held, at each of which the immortal memory of Bruce wascordially pledged.