The Ether Monument Lions- Boston, MA
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 42° 21.290 W 071° 04.284
19T E 329404 N 4691252
The Ether Monument, also known as the Good Samaritan, is the oldest monument in the Boston Public Garden, Boston, MA. Lion heads are carved on all four sides near the base.
Waymark Code: WMDNVQ
Location: Massachusetts, United States
Date Posted: 02/07/2012
Views: 4
The Ether Monument, also known as the Good Samaritan, was commissioned by Thomas Lee and commemorates the discovery ether and its use as an anesthetic in surgery performed at Massachusetts General Hospital October 16, 1846. John Quincy Adams Ward was chosen to be the sculptor and Henry Van Brunt the architect. The monument was dedicated in the Boston Public Garden on September 26, 1868.
A 40' tall granite fountain sits in a square granite basin having a brick floor. A 35' decorative granite and marble column rises from the basin. On the top of the column is a 6' high sculpture of two figures. A Good Samaritan is wearing a beard, robe and turban. He has his left arm around the shoulders of an disrobed, curly haired, unconscious man. The Samaritan is holding a compress to the torso of the unconscious man.
Four intricately carved lion heads are found near the base of the monument above the brick basin. Each lion is similar with their mouths open and their various degrees of shaggy manes. The head of each lion is at the top, and recessed within, an arch. The lions are peering above cattails and other long stemmed vegetation with spade shaped leaves coming up from the basin.
Physical Address:
Boston Public Garden
Near Beacon and Arlington Streets
Boston, MA United States
Web Site: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
Take a photo of the lion.