Equestrian Statue
SIR,—I venture to point to one modern equestrian statue as being at least of " moderate distinction," though it stands outside London and does not represent a martial figure. It is of John Wesley, shown as the itinerant preacher whom England knew two centuries ago, and it adorns the courtyard of the first preaching-house he built, his " New Room " in Broadmead, Bristol. The late Mr. A. G. Walker, R.A., produced it in 1933. The rider, with the seat of a practised horse- man and wearing the long-skirted coat and riding-boots of the period, is " an easily recognisable portrait." The horse is not at all " stylised " but is quite simply a good riding horse, probably a better animal than Wesley usually possessed. He has dropped the reins and pulled out a book to read, as his custom was. " History, poetry, and philosophy I commonly read on horseback, having other employ- ment at other times," he said. Viewed in its present setting the statue evokes the admiration of passers-by and, so far as I know, has not unduly provoked the critics.—Yours faithfully,
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