Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-01-05

Boston Correspondence of the n. Y. Tribunel
An exhibition which has been opened here for
several weeks, and which is not to be briefly de-
scribed, is that Of the socalled "Schwabe gal
leries, which now occupy, after various mgra-
tions q costly dwelling house on one of the
principal streets Of the Back Bay. This is the
most mysterious of Boston institutions. Ask
any BostOnian about it, and he becomes mys-
FERROUS at once, whispering various tales of
philanthropy and SWindling, out of which it is
impossible to make a consistent story. Early
in the war there came to the surface here a
funny little German, radically untidy-to put it
in the most polite terms-in his personal APP
pearancc, by the name of l.. A. Schwabe The
surname is pronounced in one syllable or two
according to the taste and fancy of the pre-
nouncer, as Sam Weller would put it, and in
those days there was prefiXed to it the title of
count. This parsonage was first heard from
running about the state house, the newspaper
offices, the artists studios, and the frame
makers shops; and it was said that he, being a
German nobleman of untold wealth, and struck
to the heart with wonder and admiration at the
heroism of the Union volunteers, was going to
establish gallery of portraits of the fallen,
painted by the best artists to be formed at his
own expense, and, in due time, given to the
public. In those wild days of war we believed
everything; and this tale, with all kinds of
magnificent additions, from time to time was
told by all the newspapers, and found no one to
doubt or dispute it. The count went on rush
ing about the streets and climbing stairs with
resstless energy, pouring out his gushes of en-
thusiasm into every ear, giving great orders to
the artists comforting with hundreds of be-
reaved families about photographs and so forth.
looking as if he was worth about twenty-five
cents, and thought it eXtraYagaut to spend that
for soap, but nevertheless paying out money for
his project with liberal hand and never ask
ing the public for assistance.
Thus for months and years. Then there be-
gan to be whispered, and at last got INTO print
suspicious that there was humbug in this gigau.
tic tribute to heroism. Exactly how this hum
bug could b. made to pay was mystery, and
remains mystery still Certainly only an inrcn-
ious and original mind could conceive such a
scheme as device for profit But it was said,
at first in a whisper, and then out loud that the
founder of the national gallery was very slow
about settling some bills that this firm of frame
makers mad been Obliged TO sue him, and had
only succeeded in getting back their goods; that
this artist aud that had refused TO have more to
do with him; that this bereaved family and that
had paid him large sums of money for pictures
and frames which had not cost any such
amounts, or had not been paid for at all; that
other bereayed families, loving fathers of fallen
sons, had received letters from him making great
demands and INDUCING in violent abuse if they
were not met. Now an ordinary humbug would
have been completely exp oded by these reyela-
tons; but Mr.. Schwabe is not an ordinary hum
bug, if, indeed he is a humhug at all. as your
| correspondent by no means asserts. The philan-
thropic founder of the gallery of heroes rushed
about more vigorously than before, burst into
| newspaper offices overlooking with words like n
charge of canister; was ready to explain every
thing; to deny everything, always with meek.
ness and modesty of manner, and never vaunt-
ing the munidcence Of his own deeds. The ex.
pose, If such it was, was hardly mentioned by
the Boston newspapers; but they became ex
| tremely shy of words OF praise of "the great
project and "the eccentric philanthropist,5 and
after this his various applications for indorse-
ment from the state and municipal governments.
even for the acceptance of the gallery now offered
to one and the other as Gift, were politely snnb
| bed by the committees to whom the subject was
referred
The gallery, however, continued. and little
| while ago it was announced that Mr. Schwabe
| bad purchased for its use the dwelling house
| above referred TO, on Commons avenue. A sign
indicating the presence of the portraits is hung
| between the windows, and general invitation
is extended to to the public to enter and exam.
| inc. With this invitation your correspondent
| lately complied, without revealing any Journal
istie connection Big placards about the door
and up and down the interior impress on the
mind OF the visitor that the gallery Is free,
except voluntary gift for the benefit of three