The Portland daily press., 1872-02-22

once there was very good little girl who, by rea-
son OF her goodness knew where to find strawberries
~ the winter. In the same way less perfect people,
piessed by the generous fairies Of memory and imag
nation may sit, as / do now, in the midst of falling
ieaves and whisthpg winds, aud call back the green
grasses and summer sun. l see yonder In the glen,
tne darling OF our house. the gold geam in her brown
hair chain of daisies in her hand and in her eyes the
roughish meditation of kitten weary for an instant
only OF s play, and thinking slyy of another spring.
Ihrown back upon the velvet grass s not resting
only pausing; from her bright glapces to the tips of
hsr tiny fingers she is wide awake,
But now the merry play is oyer and our pet nestles
FOUNDER on the sofa-cushon tired at last In earnest
SLOWLY the lids fal and the lingering smile dies out
but the flush in cheek and lip remains like the glow
after sunset, The gathered buttercups and daisies
are loosely held by the fair little hand; no shadows
even OF dream and, disturb the sweet brows perfect
peace. She Is fast asleep.
In other words, two chromos hang upoa tbs wall
bewitching chid-heads, in which every mother sees
something of her own dear ones never grown old and
never lost to her, however time or death may have
dealt with them.
Nothing peases more at first sight or gives pleasure
longer than poetical pictures Of children The little
child" whom Jesus sets in the midst Of every family
40 Z" IVY tnalt grows not OLD ana faQeS not.
q "Ase caauot wither, custom cannot stale ~
Its infinite Variety.
For this reason happy picture of child brings an
enjoyment more lasting than any other because it is
subject of which TO one ever tires.
But these pictures besides their constant charm for
grown folks, such children can understand and
love. Our little ssWide Awake" and Fast Asleep"
would give many pleasant hour Of companionable
amusement and Intercourse to the little people akin
to them in age The pictures that chdrens eyes rest
on as they are dropping off to Sleep or as they awake
in the morning. seem to them like living friends All
sorts Of childish dreams and fncies make of the pict
ured face real companion Not only in the parlor
or the sitting room would they be an attractive and
fitting establishment, but they are charming pair
for the adornment Off nursery.
Undoubtedly these two pictures are portraits
There is realistic fathfuness and truth about them
that forbids the idea of their being fancy heads
They will remind many parents Of little ones either
here or in heaven. Dickens says somewhere of his
portraiture of little Nell that he has had letters from
the rthes regions Of the earth speaking of children
who resemble her--so dear, and so early taken! He
who paints one child well, paints thousands, and
speaks to the tenderest feelings hearts,
OF fcourse there Is pleasure In possessing an orig-
nal painting; but when the question lies between an
original at five hundred dollars and chrome which
can scarcely be distinguished from it, at ten dollars
particularly when has not FIVE hundred to spare
the choice is not very difficult. As to these two ex-
quise chromos, only critical examination can dis
tinguisn between the copies and the originals which
sold for many hundreds-which is certainly more
than can be said of the best copies of most pictures
painted by hand.
Blessings upon chromo-lithography, by which the
successful painting Of master be reproduced inde
ntey and can enter thousands of homes with its ed
ucatng, quiekening, reforming influences!
1t not alone into the dwellings Of the great and
wealthy that we follow hispretty pair with ancipa
tions of delight We them In the cottages of the
poor in the cabin of the frightening
the toll Of the hard-worked wife and mother and
receiving the almost adoring wonder of children who
have never seen pictures before.
God bless the darlings-send the little comforters
fast and far!