The Sun.
London, England, 1866-03-29 00:00:00

LIFE'S PICTURE.

It is generally with bright, joyous expectancy that a
young artist stands before the canvas on which is to be
shaped forth the picture, whose fair ideal has for months
been slowly growing in his thoughts. He is haunted by
no vexing dreams of failure. He knows that the practised
eye, the skilful right hand, will faithfully reproduce the
glowing image of his fancy. Even now, on that unstained
canvas, he can see the complete picture. From the sunny
foreground, away to the purple distance, all seems to stand
out brave and clear. Time and patience, only these, and
he is sure of success.

So he labours steadily on for a few months, and then
come weariness and doubt. The unfinished picture mocks
the fair ideal of his dreams. Its colours are so tame, its
outlines hint so faintly and feebly of the graceful forms
they should reveal. Can it be that anything worthy
should ever grow from so imperfect a beginning ? Mis-
trust says, "No, leave it ; cast it aside. It has deceived
you, you can do no more."

Let him listen to that voice, and all is lost. Labour and
design have alike been wasted. But let him take heart
and go on, even though it be but slowly, and with little
hope, and ere long light will dawn again. Once more the
willing hand shall truly serve the creating mind. Those
colours that seemed so poor and dim shall deepen into
beauty. As he works on, there shall come back to him
the glow and glory of his first love. It was but a passing
cloud. Will and power were stillthere, only he was faint-
hearted, and could not discern them. He will fear no more
now. Steadily he will go on, until the picture is complete,
and all say of it, " How fair !"
Like to the artist's work, is that other and more glorious
picture of a human life, to those who, with earnest care
and patient thought, are striving to make it perfect. Far
off, but not too far for faith's strong sight, is their divine
ideal. Striving, they will surely win to it. They have
the will, they have the power. The untouched canvas is
all their own as yet, and the picture shall be so beautiful.
But to them, too, before the work is complete, doubt and
weariness come. They look at what they have done, and
there is no beauty in it. Yonder is their ideal, so divine ;
here their actual, so poor and mean. The colours with
which they thought to do so much are faded now. How
can they paint a golden sunset with the dim tints of a
November sky ; how, with uncertain hand and bewildered
eye, bid to spring forth upon that spoiled canvas any shape
of beauty or delight ? And the tired heart says "It is
enough. All is over."

Yet this cloud, too, will pass away. The colours are all
there still, it is only the darkness that hides them. Hand
and eyo have lost their skill for a little while. Work on,
though it be in gloom and doubt. Work on, though no
bright glow of hope tells you that you are working
for success. Work on, though it be with aching eye
and nerveless hand, and ere long you too, so despairing
now, shall bring to the great Master a life of which He
shall say, " Well done." _ _

In the same strain of simple eloquence we read on,
and we cannot give a better example of the aathor's
graceful style and noble purpose :
Hester began her life-picture one bright April day, when
the trees which autumn had just now stripped were
shaking out their young tresses in the sunshine. She
thought it would be a very beautiful picture. She had
worked at it hopefully, day by day adding fresh colours,
day by day coming nearer to the fair ideal which her fancy
shaped. She knew no weariness. she felt no doubt ; hers
the skilful hand ; until one day there was no more power
to work. All the sunlight had died out. She had no
bright colours left. Worse than that, the right hand had
lost its cunning, the graceful fancy its power to create.
She could but stand and weep bitter tears over what had
been so fair. She could but mourn for labour spent in
vain, for a past wherein was no content, and a future
wherein was no hope. Helplessly and very sadly now,
Hester looked at her spoiled picture. ,

Yet was it quite spoiled ? Might she not, like the over-
worn artist, wake after a short rest to find both will and
power returned ? Might she not, drying her tear-dimmed
eyes, lift them once more io that lost ideal, and find'it
transfigured into a diviner glory, even the glory that ex-
celleth ? There, the future could never be so bright and
sunny. Many a picture that was begun for the golden
morning time has changed, ere the artist finished it, to the
calm stillness of evening. Yet the master will not less
truly say of such, " Well done." Nay, perhaps that work
into which, by no sin of the worker, the deepest shades
have come, shall have the most honourable place in
heaven's great gallery.

Hester had suffered, but she had done no wrong. And
it is only wrong doing that can harm. No grief or dis-
appointment can hurt the true soul. They will but give
more strength. They are enemies, which, nobly con-
quered, yield their weapons to the victor, that ho may do
worthier battle with the next foe. She had been wounded,
but not unto death. Thera was hope still, that she might
rise and win.

Very different from Hester is her sister, the spoiled,
capricious, but, withal, charming May. " There
was a fine, chaste coolness about Hester's beauty,
the colourless charm of thought and soul. But
when nature moulded the younger sister she was in
a brighter mood, and so she showered over her
rippling head a glory as of molten gold, and
tinged her cheek with rose-like bloom, and coloured
the rich full lips like twin cherries, and shed over
her a warm, soft, _ mellow glow. So that while
Hester reminded you of some moonlight landscape,
May was that landscape steeped in all the radiance
of summer sunset." Very delightful is the picture
of dear old Miss Lapiter, the good Old Maid of
Angusbury.
Miss Lapiter, of Rose Cottage, was one of the merriest,
funniest, most talkative and loveable of maiden ladies ; a
perennial spring of mirth and good temper ; a notable
example of single blessedness ; a standing proof of the
happiness which may be attained in the much-maligned
state of spinsterhood. For if there ever was a woman who
lived in the sunshine, who absorbed it into her very face,
from which it seemed to ray out in perpetual smiles, that
woman was the daughter of. Isaac Lapiter, M.D., and sister
of the late Rev. Josiah Lapiter, rector of St. Angusbury-
cum-Monkland.

Among the interesting characters introduced to us
in this novel is once which is singularly out of
place—namely, that of-the passionate creole Ginevra
Fassanette, alias the malicious and vindictive servant
maid Jane Fawcett. As hypocrisy is said to be the
homage that Vice pays to Virtue, so we cannot but
regard the introduction of this unnatural character,
and her very marvellous melodramatic revenge as
the author's (very mistaken) tribute to the " sen-
sational" fashion of the day. It is a mistake much
to be deplored by all who appreciate and admire
the many sterling excellenzies of the generally
truthful and natural author of " St. Olave's.'?

A MASS, BY LISZT, THE CELEBRATED PIANIST,
now in orders, vas performed on the great organ of
St. Eustache on Thursday week last, with the aid of
several eminent vocalists. The proceeds of the seats,
amounting to 60,000 francs, went in aid of the schools of
the arrondissement, the Cardinal, Archbishop of Rouen,
preaching in favour of the charity. This mass was written
nearly ten years ago for the Emperor of Austria, and is
called the "Coronation Mass ;" it is in the severest style
of the early Church music, and wholly devoid of melodies.
The following day, the composer being at the Austrian
Embassy, and urged to play, contented himself with ac-
companying Ldonard, the violin player, in a piece by
Schumann. At Rcssini's also he was to be seen, not
heard. He is greatly aged, and bent as if from bodily weak-
neoi ; and just now is the great NO; of the Parisian World.

HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, Wednesday.
The Queen, with Princess Helena, drove in the
grounds yesterday afternoon, and walked and drove
this morning, attended by the Hon: Diary Lascellcs.

Her Royal Highness Princess Louise rode in th©
Home Park.

Lord Camoys and Major-General F. Seymour,
C. 8., have succeeded Lord Methuen and Lieut.-
Colonel Kingscote as Lord and Groom in Waiting.

The Prince of Wales at Littleton.
STAINES, Wednesday.
This morning his Royal Highness the Prince of
Wales, attended by Lieut.-Colonel Keppel and ac-
companied by the Duke of Sutherland, left Water-
loo station by the 10.50 a.m. Reading train, on the
South- Western Railway, and arrived at Staines at
11.36 a.m. His Royal Highness, who travelled in
a saloon carriage, was met at the station by Major-
General Hood, the master ( f the Prince's harriers,
from Cumberland Lodge, Mr. Hill, the divisional
superintendent of the line, being in attendance on
the part of the company.
His Royal Highness on quitting Staines rode with
his suite by way of Laleham to Littleton, the an-
cestral residence of the Wood family. General
Wood himself met his illustrious guest on the road,
and accompanied the Prince to-the mansion, where
his Royal Highness was received by Mrs. Wood.
The Prince alighted from his horse opposite the
entrance, and, with the gentlemen of his suite, pro-
ceeded to the hall, where some light refreshments
were laid, to which the company did justice. About
ten minutes after the Prince's arrival his Serene
Highness Prince Hohenlohe, with Major-General
Seymour, reached Littleton, having driven over
from Windsor Castle in an open carriage and pair.
After taking refreshments the Prince of Wales
passed into the " saloon," a very beautiful apart-
ment, and examined the paintings and works of art.
Among the most noticeable of these are Hogarth's
" Actors in the Barn," a sketch of William IV.,
and other chef d'ceuvres. The Prince and suite then
remounted and joined the field, among whom
were many of the neighbouring gentry, outside
the house. Jem King, the Prince's hunts-
man, then trotted the hounds to a field
in front of the house, where sport was found, the
chase leading across the park. The hunting was
principally confined to the vicinity of Littleton,
Feltham, and Laleham, and after some hard gallop-
ing the Prince drove to Windsor Castle.

The last 'meet this season with the Prince of
Wales's harriers is, it is understood, fixed to take
place at Cippenham, near Slough, on Saturday,
when a red deer will be turned out. His Royal
Highness is expected to attend.

Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales, with
the infant Princes, Albert Victor and George,
attended by General Knollys and suite, left
Paddington by the five o'clock train on the Great
Western Railway, and arrived at Windsor at 5.37
p.m. Captain Bulkeley, director, and Mr. A. Hig-
gins, accompanied the train.
Her Royal Highness and the little Princes, who
seemed in good health, drove to the Castle on a visit
to her Majesty.

Their Royal Highnesses will remain the guests of
the Queen till Saturday, and during their residence
at the Castle will occupy a suite of apartments in
King Edward the Third's Tower.

EXETER HALL. —The last of the Passion-week
oratorios will be given to-night by the National Choral
Society, under the direction of Mr. G. W. Martin. The
" Creation" is the oratorio selected; the principal soloists
—Madame Lemmens-Sherrington, Mr. Leigh Wilson, and
Mr. Santley ; organist, Mr. John G. Boardman. Handers
" Israel in Egypt" and "Adis and Galatea" will shortly be
produced by the above society. Band and chorus, 700.

ROYAL GALLERY OF ILLUSTRATION.----A new en-
tertainment, by Mr. F. C. Burnand, the popular
author of "Ixion," is advertised for Easter Monday, under
the rather novel title of "A Yachting Cruise." The scene,
we hear, takes place on board a yacht anchored off Valetta.
Among the incidents of a comic nature is the flight of an
unhappy gentleman from the management of three Mothers-
in-law, personated, with the previous experiences of the
Sisters Pry, by Mr. and Mrs. German Reed and Mr. John
Parry. A rehearsal of an operetta, the theme of which is
the tragedy of Hamlet, is said to be extremely amusing.
The evening will close with Mr. John Parry's new song
of " The Wedding Breakfast at Mrs. Roseleaf's."
GUY'S PATENT DEEP-SEA TELEGRAPH CABLE.--
This cable, although described by the inventor as
stronger than any deep-sea cable yet constructed, is made
so buoyant by the combination of cork carpet, or cork
carpet pulp, and india rubber, as to diminish very consi-
derably, if it does not in fact entirely take away, all risk of
strain on the conductor in paying out. It partially floats
away from the ship and gradually finds its own bed, being
one-third lighter in water than in air.
HONITON ELECTION.—The election of a member
of Parliament for the borough of Honiton, in the
room of the late Mr. David Goldsmid, took place yesterdaY.
There was only one candidate in the field, Mr. Julian Gold-
amid, son of the late member, notwithstanding that en
announcement had appeared to the effect that Mr. Hol-
lings, an attorney, would contest the election. The norm"
nation of the Liberal candidate was proposed by Mr. _Ash"
leigh and seconded by Mr. Knight. Mr. J. Goldsmid Wag
declared duly elected. Mr. Spence returned thanks on be-
half of Mr. Goldsmid, who, on account of his father'm re-
cent death, was not present. He explained that the 11011;
gentleman's absence was to be attributed to filial piety and
religious scruples. The brevity of his address was owing
to the same cause. He was not unknown in the political
arena, his creed being in strict accordance with that of his
predecessor. The speaker alluded to the efforts of the
Goldsmid family in endeavouring to unsectarianise the uni"
versities, and complimented Mr. Coleridge (the member for
Exeter) on the manner in which he had introduced the
University Tests Abolition Bill into Parliament.
THE FATE OP THE REFORM BILL, on which the
Ministry has been so ill-advised as to stake it°
reputation and fortunes, says the Saturday Review, cannot
be a matter of much doubt, after the notices given byLord
Grosvenor and, Sir William Hutt. If the Government can"
not rely on the support of a young Whig nobleman, and c 4
a veteran official who a few months ago was a member:.
although a very humble one, of the Ministry, on What
effectual support can it rely ? Tho more pertinaciees
organs of the Ministry strive to console and animate their
party by pointing out that Lord Grosvenor is only a sham
Liberal, a landowner and an aristocrat; and that SirWillian;
Hutt is merely moved by private pique, and is trying 1
avenge himself on the great people who compelled him t°
abandon the tiny glory of a Vice-Presidentship for the inef
honours of a baronetcy. This may be so, but the loll_
the motives ascribed to tho backsliders, the more
cant is their desertion. If Lord Grosvenor is merely act'
ing with the selfish timidity of a Whig landowner, it ranst
at least be supposed that he has also bean selfish enough w
calculate the consequences of the step he has taken. It is
,
exceedingly unlikely that he should have made himself t'o
spokesman of dissatisfaction unless he knew that a great
t;
many other persons who were also Whigs and landowners
thought as he did, and were seriously opposed to the Pa,iss, ,
ing of a Reform Bill that was to be necessarily and avovireus',
followed by at least 10 others. The Whig landoviu°'ra
before they allowed a man holding such a position as
Grosvenor to come forward on their behalf, must
gauged as well as they could the feelings of the constl,,4
encies they influence or represent, and must have decided
that there was no feeling in those constituencies in fay°.
of the Government measure.
Mr. SWINBURNE'S PANEGYRIC on the matchless
ease of Lord Byron's style of writing in ‘?'',.aclda
Juan" is thus exquisitely expressed : —Between "1"'
me
Harold" and "Don Juan," says the young poet, the Sire
difference exists which a swimmer feels between
water and "sea-water: the one is fluent, yielding,s_da
variable; the other has in it a life and pulse, a sting
swell, which touch and excite the nerves like fire or •
• fol
music. Across the stanzas of "Don Juan" we swills a
k en
ward as over "the broad backs of the sea;" they brews oat
glitter, hiss and laugh, murmur and move,-like wave „et-
sound or that subside. There is in them a delicious re
ance and elastic motion, which salt water has and fair,
water has not. There is about them a wide wholesoresn'
tit
full of vivid light and constant wind, which is only!
_laic!
sea. Life undulates and death palpitates in the 01.?1°_;:ttv.
verse which resumes the evidence of a brave and LI sea,
sighted man concerning life and death. Here, as sat er,
there is enough and too much of flue; 0
and intermission : the ripple flags and falls
of
of
loose and lazy lines ; the foam files v
any mark, and the breakers collapse here and there In
°ok'
den ruin and violent failure. But the violence and
ness of the sea are preferable to the smooth, sounaive
equable security of a lake : its buoyant and prog:re7tigh
impulse sustains and propels those who wouldaiilk tnru
siinektehnesfl, aatnadn d
othersplacid
wshhaol lmo wi
its. .e
hTi
lhl
se r;
whom
weariness
it
do well to steer inshore. t are
00 t bweirsi