Statues of Virtue

I always enjoy all the beautiful architecture when you walk the streets of Manchester, London and other cities. I particularly love the decorations that are used to adorn buildings which are so rarely seen in their modern counterparts.

A great example are these beautiful stone figures representing different virtues. They were carved by W.S. Frith and the building was constructed by Sir Aston Webb and Ingress Bell between 1890 and 1893.

William Silver Frith (1850-1924), as well as having an excellent middle name, was a notable sculptor and had significant influences on names such as Doulton (of pottery fame), Frampton and Pomeroy.

What is now 13-15 Moorgate, and occupied by the EuropeArab Bank was originally the Metropolitan Life Assurance Building. Metropolitan Life Assurance was established in 1835 and (on printed excerpt in gracesguide)

“…..having been planned, not for any private purpose, but with a view of extending the knowledge and diffusing the advantages of Life Assurance, upon the pure mutual principle. The benefit and security of this principle has been long understood and appreciated by a limited portion of the community; but the increased demand for Life Assurance evidentially called for its more general introduction. The Directors have accordingly endeavoured to arrange this mutual contract in such a manner as should be fully calculated to combine security with economy, and which they submit is best accomplished by applying all the profits of the Society to the reduction of the annual premium.”

I guess some of that profit was also applied to the construction of this building and to its adornment with these sculptures, for which we should all be very grateful.

Also easy to miss is that atop the building is another figure, this time golden in appearance not stone, and a bright image on a sunny day. For the sharp of eye (or binocular) in her hands are a serpent and a skull – less encouraging imagery for a life assurance company!

Cache Details

Cache is a reasonable size for an urban cache, with room for a few swaps and small TBs. Included in the start swaps is a roman coin (treat value as 50p-£1) - who knows maybe this coin has been near this area in a previous life nearly 2000 years ago!

This can be a busy area during weekdays, especially with office smokers regularly being in line of site of this cache. Please exercise good urban stealth and replace as found. Please also keep zips fully closed and to the bottom in an attempt to ensure the contents remain dry.

Whilst this is not a puzzle/mystery or multi-cache, the hint is a small puzzle if you like that sort of thing. If you don't, then ignore the hint - you can (and many have) completed this geocache without it.