- 612 -
Royal Agricultural Society, which accomplished so much in promoting
agriculture by holding provincial exhibitions, and its system of giving
prizes. This Society, after a long and honourable career is merging
its efforts into those of the Royal Dublin Society.
WILLIAM DARGAN, ESQ.- The head looks to right; behind is engraved
DARGAN, and W W F in small capitals upon the neck. Reverse.- A
representation of the Exhibition Building, erected on the Leinster Lawn,
opposite to Merrion-square, on the grounds of the Royal Dublin Society;
above this is inscribed, GREAT INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION | IN CONNEXION WITH
THE ROYAL DUBLIN SOCIETY. In the exergue, ERECTED AT THE SOLE EXPENSE
| OF WILLIAM DARGAN | OPENED THE 12th MAY 1853 | SIR J BENSON ARCHT;
and in smaller letters, WOODHOUSE, F. Size, 1·75. The reverse die
having broken, it was re-engraved. This repetition is recognized by the
artist's name appearing as W WOODHOUSE F. I have a white metal
impression of the first die, and a bronze proof taken from the second.
William Dargan, born 1799, died 1867. He constructed most of the
leading lines of railways in Ireland, and accumulated a large fortune.
His patronage of this Exhibition, whilst of great benefit to Ireland, and
particularly to the city of Dublin, caused him a loss of £10,000. When
the Queen visited the building he was offered, and declined, knighthood.
His statue was erected on the site of the Exhibition in acknowledgment
of his public spirit and munificent aid; it represents him in accordance
with his popular appellation of "the man with his hand in his pocket."
Unfortunately the latter part of his life brought serious reverses and loss
of property.
WILLIAM DARGAN, ESQ.- A smaller medal, representing the head, of
reduced size. Inscription, WILLIAM DARGAN, with W W F on neck. Reverse.-
An Irish harp with the words, TO COMMEMORATE THE GREAT EXHIBITION
OF 1853. Size, 1·25. The reverse of this medal was a piece of
apprentice work, being the first die engraved by Mr. John Woodhouse.
DANIEL O'CONNELL, ESQ., M.P.- Head and draped bust to right;
underneath, in small letters, P TURNERELLI DEL. W WOODHOUSE F. Reverse.-
An altar, inscribed, VOX | POPULI | SUPREMA | LEX. To the right a
figure of Hibernia erect, reading from a book on the altar, and having a
harp at her side; to left a seated figure of Plenty, with reversed copia;
and behind, Liberty, with a flag. Inscribed, CIVIL AND RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
ALL OVER THE WORLD. In the exergue, in three lines, ELECTED LORD
MAYOR | OF DUBLIN | THE 1st OF NOV 1841; and underneath, W WOODHOUSE.
Struck in white metal. Size, 2·0. A similar medal, also made in white
metal, is contained in the collection of the Royal Irish Academy, having
in the exergue, ELECTED JULY 5th MDCCCXXVIII; and beneath, W WOODHOUSE
DEL ET FECIT. This is therefore evidently one of Mr. W. Woodhouse's
earliest works, which he utilized with a fresh exergue on O'Connell
becoming Lord Mayor of Dublin. The obverse is again repeated in the
case of the following medal:-
DANIEL O'CONNELL, ESQ., M.P.- Obverse as before. Reverse.- A view
of the Bank of Ireland (the old Parliament House); above it, in small
lettering, RESURGAM. In front, O'Connell robed as Lord Mayor, presenting
|
- 613 -
various workmen to a seated figure representing Hibernia, having a
harp and wolf-dog at her side; the dog, rather ludicrously, is barking at
a man who is running off with an armful of English goods. On a raised
rim is inscribed, HIBERNIA AT THE CALL OF O'CONNELL ADOPTS HER OWN AND
REJECTS FOREIGN MANUFACTURE 1841; below, in minute letters, is read,
W WOODHOUSE FECIT. Size, 2·0. Struck in bronze and white metal. the
figure of Hibernia was modelled after Mr. O'Connell's daughter, Mrs.
Fitzsimon of Glencullen. The reverse of this medal is crudely designed,
and was executed in haste to meet a popular demand at the time, as was
also the following:-
O'CONNELL MEDAL.- The representation of O'Connell, Hibernia, &c.,
in front of the Bank of Ireland is repeated, the die of the last medal
being utilized; it is therefore one of those medals termed "mules."
For the reverse there was made a new die, with wreath of shamrocks,
and above a rayed crown, having in the field a long inscription in eleven
lines, as follows: I AVOW MYSELF TO BE | A REPEALER | AND I SOLEMNLY PROMISE
| THAT I WILL NOT CONSUME | OR SUFFER TO BE CONSUMED | ON MY PERSON
OR IN MY HOUSEHOLD | BUT WILL BY ALL POSSIBLE MEANS | DISCOURAGE
THE USE OF | ANY ARTICLE NOT | OF IRISH MANUFACTURE ; beneath, in small
letters, appears, C. K. Size, 2·0. This medal I have always seen struck
in white metal. The reverse of the medal with its uncompromising pledge
is, strange to say, I believe, altogether of English manufacture. It was
executed, like the last, in haste to satisfy a popular demand, and probably
made in Birmingham.
MEDALLET OF O'CONNELL'S CLARE ELECTION.- Draped bust to left,
DANL O CO--NNELL MP, and on the shoulder W W. Reverse.- Inscribed,
THE MAN OF THE PEOPLE. Within is a wreath of shamrocks, and the words
ELECTED | FOR THE | Co CLARE | JULY | 1828. Size, 1·05. Struck, for
popular sale, in brass. The obverse of this medal, several years after,
in 1864, was employed by Mr. J. Woodhouse to strike the following:-
MEDALLET OF O'CONNELL (his monument).- Head of O'Connell, as in
last medal. Reverse.- TO COMMEMORATE THE LAYING OF THE FIRST STONE |
OF THE O'CONNELL MONUMENT | AUGUST 8th 1864. Inside is a harp, crown,
wolf-dog, and shamrocks. Size, 1·05. Struck in brass.
DANIEL O'CONNELL.- Bust to left, with draped shoulders, and a portion
of the well-known cloak, so invariably associated with O'Connell's
appearance in public. DANIEL O'CONNELL, BORN AUGT 6th 1775 DIED MAY
15th 1847 ; on the shoulder, W WOODHOUSE, and underneath the bust - the
only mark of "Patent Registration" I am acquainted with on an Irish
medal - together with two sprigs of shamrock. Size, 2·1. This was the
last medal for which Mr. W. Woodhouse actually made the die. The
likeness was copied from Foley's bust prepared for the O'Connell Statue.
It was subsequently utilised for medals by his son, Mr. J. Woodhouse.
THE VERY REVD THEOBALD MATHEW.- Draped bust to left; inscribed,
as stated. On the arm, in small letters, W WOODHOUSE | DUBLIN.
Reverse.- A Greek cross, inscribed with the Temperance Pledge, I PROMISE
TO ABSTAIN FROM ALL INTOXICATING DRINKS &c. EXCEPT USED MEDICINALLY AND
|