New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-12-22
MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS.
A Rare Miniature of the Bapless Queen
It's Curious History.

MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS.
Rare Miniature Of the HaDless Queen
Its Curious History.
The Richmond Fhig republishes the fol
lowing curious and, we may add, probable
tradition There is no doubt that in Louisi-
ana there are portraits of eminent states
men and divines Of France and Spain. Such
paintings are often held by remote pos
terity without being aware that they are
more than heirlOoms from some veDerated
ancestor. The writer has seen an oil por-
trait Of Admiral Vernon, who captured
Carthsgena, in an oyerseer's house:
1t is said by those who are familiar with
the subject that there is no authentic like
ness OF the beautiful and unhappy daughter
Of James |. The portrait which hangs in
HOlvrOOd Palace, and the LOchleven pic
ture owned by the Earl Of Merton and
copied in Lodges Portraits, are alike of
doubtful authenticity. Convinced that there
was not in the United Kingdom any picture
Of Mary drawn from the living original,
Chalmers, who wrote her biography, caused
an ideal likeness to be painted, in which
the best and most correct features of the
various portraits and sketches found in
England, France and Scotland were as he
conceived, happily blended. This ideal, to-
gether with the LOchleVen picture, were in
serted in his biography.
When Elder, an artist of this city, had
decided to paint picture of Mary on her
way to the block, he naturally applied to
the State library for the best likeness of
his subject which the books then could fur
nsh. Dissatisfied with the engraving in
lodge, lie turned to Chalmers, and found,
TO his regret, that both of the pictures
which it originally contained had been cut
out by some artistic thief. In despair he
was about to retire to his studio, when a
gentlemen who happened TO be present,
said
81 can tell you where you will find the
most perfect likeness of Mary, Queen of
Scots, that have ever seen; finer than that
at Holyrood, with which am familiar"
"Where ?" tue artist asked eagerly.
In this very city; at Mrs. --'s,"
giving the number of the house and the
street,
A ROMANTIC STORY.
Hearing of this incident, your correspond
emit sought an interview with the gentle
man just mentioned, and, in the conveIsa-
ton which ensUed, learned the history Of
the picture in question. 1t is sufficiently
curious. Forty or more years ago Mr.. 10
seph Mayo (lor long period mayor of
the street an old lady, exposed to drench
ing shower. He promptly offered his UNI
brella Thanking him for his courtesy, she
asked his name and residence in order that
she might know where to send the umbrella
after she reached home. He gave the de-
sired information the umbrella was re-
turned, and the matter forgotten. A few days
afterwards he received a note requesting
him to call at such a house in O. certain
street. On entering, he was greeted cordi
ally by the old lady whom he had be-
friended, and, TO make brief story the in
tervieW resulted in his becoming her attOr-
new for life. She proved to be widow, of
Scottish birth, named Kerr. Her property
was large, and her conversation and every
showed her to be woman OF
extraordinary taste, culture and refine
ment. Her son and only child was luna,
tic OF her history previous to her coming
to this country the present writer has been
able to ascertain nothing whatsoever. Mr..
MAYO had charge of all her business mat
tiers up to the time of her death, which must
have occurred ive-and-thirty years ago
She was then ninety.
In token Of her affection for Mr.. MayO's
little daughter to whom she had taken a
great fancy. she left the child a musical
box, and thesminiature of Mary. Queen of
Scots. This miniature, che declared, had
been in her mothers family ever since she
could remember; was an heirloom, indeed,
Of many generations, and she priced it be- |
yond all her other possessions. That she
lid not leave it to her crazy son, is not to
be wondered at, but why it was not be-
Iueathed to some other relative is a mvs-
cry. This rare pioture-the age of which |
S only matter of ConjeCtuTe-your cores
Dondent had the pleasure of examining a |
ew evenings ago
THE IMMATURE. |
Originally, the miniature was eDcased in |
heavy, ugly, wooden frame, disUOlOred by |
,ge, but without paint or varnish. As |
LIKENESS, it resembles somewhat the Loeb |
even portrait, but is very much more beau
ful. The expression is wholly different |
As a work of art, it is unquesti0nabIy Of |
+ high order OF merit. From the long but
rot prominent chin, the face rises in a rap
dly widening oval to q brow massive and |
broad, shaded by curls Of the most ex-
Iui>ite auburn graceful, dtlicately-penciled
urls in which the unknown artist discovers
masters skill. He was in love with that
lair, and well he might be. The broWs
ire arched, the eyes Of decided brown, are
vide apart as the oxeyed Hera's, the nose
,road, but finely cut the lips handsomely
arved, but unskillfnlly cOlOreG, and the
complexion clear and pale, with the faint
st tint of the rose near the cheek -bOne A
oquettish hat OF straw, wOrsted or other
light brown material--it is hard to tell
vhat-covors her head. The ruff is unlike
ny other, broad, deeply cut in points and
BEAUTIFULLY worked; it lies fiat on her shout
ers, displaying part Of her fair throat
nd adding greatly to the effect of the pic
ure 1t is drawn together under the chin
little way by a white cord with tassCllGd |
nds depending on her breast. Her dress. |
f which only smaller portion can be seen |
dark, solid indigo blue. The ex-
ressiOn is mild, even to tenderness.
nd wistful Withal. 1t is Mary in her soft
st mood. The fire and vivacity which one
ould expect to find in her face are wholly
anting, but the edge Of the live coal is
zen in the en.bered auburn hair the long
lin tells its tale of strength, and the angle ..
the ear, together with the general CON ;
rmation of the head, betrays the leOnine ,,
'eadth of the occiput. The lioness is all
ere, but asleep. In the wide, compact
rehead, brain enough is discovered to 9
stity Schiller's magnificent conception of !
e interview in the garden with Elizabeth,
I'd Janauschek's no less magnificent rem
ton Of it.
Such is the picture and such the impress. s
IN it produced upon Your correspondents.
no painted it, when, under what circum-
Inces, and how it came into the Kerr | z
mily, are questions unans Wercd. That d
e miniature is authentic and trustworthy J
a likeness taken from the living face Of '
sry, one, in looking at it, might easily be- a
We. But this is net asserted. That it is 0
ique. very old and rare, there can be no y
estion whatever Il
Puzzle for Physicians. g
From the New York World.i
The report that a man living in East New q
K had swallowed set of false teeth. plb- q
he'd Two days ago, has caused no little L
lsation in Newark aud vicinity. where :,