Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1849-06-01

exhibited at the Theatre in this place, under
the superintendent of Mr.. WESTON. We
find description ofthe painting in the Charles
ton Mercury, written by DR.. IRVINE. of that
City, which we transfer TO our columns:
II is truly grand and interesting exhibit
ton. representing the varied and most pctur-
esque features of the most magnificent scene
ry OF our country. as seen through ten States
of the Union, on the Banks OF the Great Mis-
sissippi, 3" The Father of Waters
Panoramas have become very popular of
late. There are now, in London, no less than
seven or eight, attracting crowds. and two OF
them are the great rival Panoramas of the
Mississippi River. one by Barnard, and the
other by ]. R. Smith. The former has, by
command of her Majesty. been recently un
rolled in Windsor Castle, and received the ap-
probation of the Queen and her Court; but,
from all accounts, it cannot compare with Mr..
Stockwell's, either in the extent of country
delineated the truthfulness of the scenes or
in the personal labor bestowed upon the ORR
ginal drafts, and the transferring of the same,
subsequently, to canvass.
Stockwel's extends from the Gulf of Mexi
CO, TO the Falls of st. Anthony. Banvard's
no further than from N Orleans to 81 Louis !;
point where, in our opinion, commences the
most interesting portion OF the river, passing
through scenery that can scarcely be surpass
ed, for wilderness and romantic beauty, in any
part of the world awakening, as it can never
fail 10 do, in the coolest bosom, long train
of pOetical and political associations!
1t takes no great effort of the Imagination,
as the picture gIides along, TO fancy ourself
in steamboat on the bosom of the great river
itself. gazing upon the rich and varied scenery
that lines its shores, "ever changing, ever
new" The more we gaze, the more 'rapt we
become, as in their progress before US, we
catch glimpse of some lovely spot. embo-
somed in some little nook in tranquil beauty
smiling valles, stretching back as far as the
eye can reach, in pensive quietness between
mountains of the same height and hue, water
ed, here and there, by little streams, that make
the prairies evergreen or, as we behold. in
their sterner grandeur, perpendicular cliffs,
grand, lofty, we'll wooded at their base, but
sometimes with rugged belts of rock around
them, peculiar to this region, looking down,
like armed men, upon the stream, that lies at
their feet, like Graded infant in its sleep, all
uncor scious of their frowns; these, again,
gradually give way TO a succession of gently
sloping hills, covered with trees of richest
foliage and most gorgeous hues!
In another moment, " in wonder and amaze
ment lost,'' we behold on all sides around, the
rapid march of internal improvement. On the
river is an endless variety of water crafts, from
the majestic steamer to the light canoe! The
genius of solitude, as a graceful writer re-
marks, no longer revels in the luxuriant viii.
derness of the western prairie The fertile
places of nature are enriched by the offerings
and the contributions of art! Where all was
recently rude, innumerable spires lift up thei
submits to the skies, like guardian spirits
pointing the way to Heaven AT short inter
walls from each other, towns, villages anC
mighty cities arise, and we feel that man, so
cial man, throug hout the 0oundIess scene,
Holds chartered range and free prescription sway"
The scenic effects are all excellent, and will
view to give the exact counterpart of nature
the artist has happily conceived the idea o
exhibiting the scenery under the several as
poets of sunrise, sunset, moonlight, fog ant
storm. These several variations from tn
broad light of day, keep alive the atten
ton, the mimic representation being rendere
with striking fidelity and fine artistic effect
But, above all else that is calculated to fasci
nate the spectator with this truly grand pic
, ture, its principal charm, to my eye, consist
, in the feelings excited by it as we enter tn
Indian Territory, where the feet of the re-
men so lately trod, " Monarchs of all the,
surveyed"
From every meadow; from every rock; from
every little island that gems the river iron
every hill of deer % from the wide water
and the depths of air, comes still small voic
of other days, sinking into the heart with
sweet and gentle sympathy. The illusion i
managed with such effect that we seem TO b
t transported bodily to the wigwams and tb
hunting grounds of the aboriginal lords of tn
soil, smoking with them the calumet of peace
We think we see on &c the Solitaire Peak" III
old Indian Chief, like the famous Leathe
= Stocking in the Pioneers, stole though he was
, with one hand wipng the large tear-drop
from his cheek, that would start in spite G
himself, whilst with the other he waves lon
sad farewell TO the graves of his wives an
children he was about TO turn his back upo
forever
From the mouth of the Ohio up to the hea
of navigation, the natural scenery is grande
and holder than below, and the artist has dis
played corresponding freedom of design an
| touch in his execution. There is more bold
ness in his pencil, and warmth in his coloring
and he has made-h his selection of objects wit
an eye to greater pictorial and poetic beauty
! infusing into the views he has represented tina
emchantment of scenery in the foreground
that dreamy outline of dim perspective, whic
might be expected from an artist who is poe
as well as painter Poetry and painting ar
kindred arts and Mr.. Stockwell, in the fms
! that characteristics his delineation of the beau
n ties of the Upper Mississippi, has certain
evidenced that they are so-in his case at leas
The Falls of St. Anthony are deeply intel
esting. Until within late years, few were tn
"pals faces" to be seen in this vicinity. II
. laughing waters, according to the Indian cor
e ceit,)
Laughing they dance along,'
come bounding down the declivity like will
:. horses, affrighted and snorting, leaping fror
u point to point, rock TO rock, as if they pei
. ceived, and were Fastening to join, their CON
panions grazing in the rich pastures below.
Often has the Indian hunter laved his wea
: led limbs in these dashing waters, and thaEl
ed the great Spirit for his strength restored.
Often perhaps has the Indian maiden, lovin
and loved, bent her steps to the margin {
it these very Falls, and like the Hindoo, on til
. sacred Ganges, trusted her little bark of flow
ers TO the waves, ayith a Pickering flame, tn
= then bright symbol of her hopes, but ofte
1t Uhe flame too soon extinguished) the dark en-
u blem of her fears
Il These are only 1.-THE of the thoughts, th'
fit across the mind, as we view the scenes S
rha rminolv hU Mr.. CfockUon IA