The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-03-04

dying from Nature, in Algiers, has recently
arrived In Paris, bringing, a. the fruits OF
his artistic expedition, suitable treasures Of
research and study: Landscapes, monuments,
interiors, types Of the different races, COS
tunes, animals, stuffs, DC. /; be has observed
oil things, and has studied them with intelli-
gence and with the brush. He has the ma
terials Of beautiful and curious paintings
lie has also brought with him many things
Of small beauty but OF great curiosity, and
amongst the number shall mention set Of
copies, very exact, taken by him from the
original paintings that decorate one Of the
summer palaces Of the ancient Deys, situa-
ted short distance from Algiers.
The copies, at first sight, appear exceed
ingly strange, and they are so in reality
But the circumstances under which the orig
inals were executed are still more strange.
1t was about the beginning Of this centu-
~ that the Dey Of Algiers took into his
head the within of bringing together at the
Court Of Katawba lone Of bis country resi-.
dences) all the European captives that he
had at that moment, in his power he ar
ranged them all in line, and, passing slowly
along before them, 81 Do you know how to
paint ?" demanded he abruptly, of the first
captive. NO" answered be, 81 cannot
paint
The Dcy made sign, and slave armed
with scimetar made the captives head fly
from lis shoulders.
DO you know how to paint p asked the
Dey of the second captive.
The captive terrified at the sight that he
had just witnessed, covered with blood, not
even understanding the question, opened his
eyes with alright without answering. At
the given sign his head also flew from his
shoulders, like that Of the first TO the
same question "do you know how to paint?'
the third, altogether dumfounded, answered:
well, think | can, think that -"
"Ah, you are not sure cried the Dey. And
u third head rolled in the dust
do you know how to paint p asked the
Dey with an insinuating smile, Of the fourth
captive.
Now the fourth captive was an intrepid
and audacious Partisan, an old gan,in of
Paris, 1--WE have given description of the
gam,n before,) who had often loitered at the
doors of the wine shops end restaurants to
watch thesign painters illustrate these build
ings with bottles and brimming glasses, with
bears heads and venison pasties. "Do |
know how to paint cried he. Il should
ray'her think | could. Why, was the
most accomplished pupil of the Of the illus
trious DAVID, the Emperors painter. What
do you want done? Oh gentle and clement
Dey say, and have it done" lyon will
know directly what | want answered the
Dey, and he continued his review.
The example Of the Partisan taught the
rest their lesson; all answered that they
knew how TO paint. The Dey, enchanted
with the success of bis proceedings, placed
all the painters-there were about thirty of
them-under the orders of the Partisan, he
then led the battalion Of improvised artists
in one of his summer palaces, and command
cd them to ornament the walls with paint
ings similar TO those that decorate the pal
aces of the sovereigns Of Europe. j want
YOU TO paint Mecca, the tomb Of the Pro-
phet, my principal maritime victories, and
then anything else that you like, provided
that the paintings he worthy of a monarch,
ifnot, your shadows will all be foot short
err
Light of lights you shall be satisfied an
swcred the Partisan
Colours and brushes were provided, and
our artists set themselves reSo,utely 10 work.
/ The Partisan had fair share of imagina-
+ ton. The mussulmaus religion forbidding
any representation OF living beings consid-
( erably ,impliied his task: he painted the
sea and naval engagements, where not a
ship or sailor was to he seen. Cannon balls
and shells crossed each other in the air that
was clouded with smoke redeemed by fire,
bnt not a gunner was to be seen near the
/ cannon.
Assisting himself with the membranes
Of youth and Of the magic lantern he made
the skies of a beautiful! and even blue, in
which be placed Mr., sun, Ms. Moon, and
the little Stars. Then he painted the great
phenomena Of natare--s.orgs, torrents and
volcanoes in furious eruption, vomiting forth
flames aud smoke. The Partisan and his
battalion oi painters employed the brightest
and most staring coors. the effect produced