Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-05-23
HistorfcaI Faces.

London correspondent ofthe Springfield Mass.
Republican furnishes the following eye-to-eye look
at interesting old portraits in the gallery of the
British museum:
g In the number of pictures. the museum seems at
first sight to be bare; but this was explained to me
by the fact that the National Gallery originally
founded by the British Museum, and that thither
are sent its chef dGuvres of art. There enough
retained, however, to attract and interest an Amerl
can stranger. Two portraits of Oliver Cromwell
one copy, the other an original. were to me things
of especial notice. There is tradition that they
are not hkenesses. do not believe it. They hate
the very memory old No these descendants ofthose
whom he dared to humble and they will not have
him to look like any human being. | think they are
likenesses, and though coming from different sour
ces it is in favor of their opinion that they look alike
At all events they the very realization of nv
ideal of Cromwell--a dark haired, swarthy- faced
man. rough Scared and ugly, and yet, with spirit
of kindly earnestness living in the eyes that one
knows he must have had. Those eyes grow upon
you, that rough vsage kindles up those shaggy
brows have become raised as you gaze and before
you again lives the noblest of all Englands souls in
the seventeeth century. Not monument in all the
great city. not column, arch, tablet statue
commentaries his greatness here Thank God, he
does not need these outward symbols to perpetuate
his great deeds. or to add renown to his memory!
As if in contrast to the furrowed face of the Pro
tecor you turn to the other side of the ROOM there
meets your eyes the portrait OF Mary, Queen OF
Scots with its peerless brow and winning smile
There three portraits of her in different parts O
the building; but this, by Cornelius Janson, comes
to your heart the real Uraissmbance of the mpul
sive and unfortunate Queen. know of no other in
stance in the whole history of the world where beau
ty has held its sway over truth, compelling genera
ton after generation of men to merge Justice in pity
as in the of Mary. Even in our own day. on,
of our popular writers, in his history of Mary
Queen of Scots for the young, has been led wide a
stray from the truth by his commseration for he
hapless fate. But there she is-all woman, beauti
full graceful, noble, intellectual her sweet smile
even on the canvass winning you to forgetfulnes
of Darnley and almost to hatred of Knox.
Hardly of less interest portraits which han!
upon the walls. The rufed dress and angular fac
of the virgin Queen, always the same in print o
picture the ugly face and cavalier air of England
! merry monarch" who never said foolish thin
and never did wise one the scholastic brow Q
James LIST, that prince of pedants; the open brow
the great Peter of Russia when he hammered on
the future fortunes of his nation in the shipyards
Holland the CALM profound face of Bacon, 'stha
greatest wisest, mean1st of manknd; y panel por
trait of Martin Luther dated February Is, 1916 an
looking not only if he had just thrown his ink
horn at the devil, but as if he had hit him too; a
original of CHANGER, dated in the year 400; and a
undated and unauthenticated likeness of Shal
speare"