Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-07-05

SATURDAY NIGHT.

Citations come with its advent! Who that has
worried the long week through, but feels its
coming blessing, for that it brings sweet re-
lease from labor, and the conclousness Of rest
rest? Who that knows
Long days Of labor,
And nights devoid Of case
but welcomes the eve, as thcc child the soft gown
that is to cover it away TO beautiful dreams >
All, it is blessed time no; alone f3r is re-
lease from labor, nor from its sense Of tst, but
that it whispers Of the Holy Sabbath Of hand
and that it recalls the days that are past, when
it won to the heart the exquisite emotions Of
earthly love, and tells of the footsteps that
through the twilight. softly and lightly went to
the tryst where lips met, and promises were
made-that it brings back the memories which
have gone with some loved one away, or, pe!-
haps, with some lost one whose days are writ
ten in darkness-th thstit gathers children around
the hesrthstone, and makes the family feel that
it is one. These are some of the exquisite gifts
that time drops upon thethoughtful heart thus
rendering it full of the conciousness of sermons.
1t was poet-heart that threw these sweet
memories Of the hour upon the canvas, thus to
give to the graver theme upon which to vent
the toll of years, in its reproduction upon STEEL
that all then might have the embodiment, not
only Of their lives, but also of their dreams, TO
study and be a constant companion. FAID was
that poet-artist, and LEMON the engraver who
executed it on steel, in the highest style Of the
wonderful Art that now reposes in the burin
And here, like the magic mirror which reveal
ed to SALATHIEI his buried years, the cmbodi-
ment Of that Saturday Night" is before us.
Look with US, reader, upon it
It is a cottage scene. The slanting rays Of
the decreasing sun come in at the low windows,
and give to the tiled room the dreamy air that
always bodies rest-peace The wheel is still {;
the dishes stand untouched upon the side-ta-
bles; to the centre Of the floor is drawn the
large table, over which is spread the clean white
cloth and around it are gathered the loved
ones at home"-all except the father and son,
who are away on the sea, and this nightly ga
thoring is for prayers for the absent. The pa
rish curate occupies the first seat, and the Ho-
/ ly Book is raised in his hands as he reads. The
old gr.ndam sits next, in her high-bsck, splint-
bottomed chsir. Her attitude is one of intense
avUvrrtivIr anu YET you see through ner wrink-
led features that light glowing which bespoaks
the God-like woman. Few faces wrought in
steel ever gave more expression. Itisa triumph,
indeed-when not only the fnely-wrought
lights and shades Of the features can be thrown
upon the plate, but also the soul of the subject,
which CLEANS out even bebeath the wrinkles OF
AGE and makes us admire The character as well
as the artist.
Back Of the old lady, and standing in the at
titude of meek wo,shipper, is the wife Of the
absent son. Her face, sill smooth with its
youth is yet pervaded by that sadness which
shows, thst if her thoughts are on the Holy
Word. her heart is away with him on the sea.
Next at the table is the granddaughter OF the
old lady-s sweet creature, with full round
face. and the embodiment Of purity and inno-
cencc. II is face fit for eyes TO gaze upon,
and We find our lips murmuring, God, give
us children like to herr Her attitude OF re-
verential listening is very finely given.
Next sits the good curates wife, who has
come with him on his visit of comfort She is
clad in half-cloak Her face is one of the pure
" English contours, which the Briton regards
as most national and beautiful. 1t is in a
thoughtful mood, and forms very charming
feature of the group. Before the table, sitting
on the floor, with puppy on his lap, is the boy
Of the cottsge-a little chap of some FIVE or SIX
summers His playmate is struggling in his
arms. to get at the old spaniel Of the curate's,
which sits near by, looking at the young dog
very archly, as much as TO say, don't you wish
YOU were the cura.e's dog?" By the spaniels
side lies little terrier, who, from his shaggy eye
brows, is looking upon The puppy with some
interest This second group is one Of tho Yea
lures Of the picture. and Nill attTsc: attention
This is an outline sketch Of that family group.
Gf its air ofrepose and innocency--of It's psS'o-
raj surroundings, we have not space further 70
speak. Suffice, that it is perfect dasueFreo-
type of an English co..sge, of English peasant
beauty. Of. Co..cr's Saturday Night; and If
IFS beauty. and h. lesson it inpre'ses upon e.
veyv heart. is mission We know will be one o
good. We can wish our readers no better gif
than that they may become possessed Of TIM
pic.u,e 20 let is Lesson of " Saturday Night
sink deeply into the heart, and aim it to gentle
ard onnotling thoughts.
A GEs7LEM.s, well known in this naetropo'
lis. was alw.yscomplaining TO bis father-iT-lnT
Of his wife's temper At last, pspa-ln-laW
becoming very wcaned Of these endless grum
blings, and being bit Of a wag. replied
a Wen my dear fellow, if ] hear Of her toT
nentinr YOU any more, shall disinhert her.