The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-02-28

THE PmGRIM-It is seldom that our citizens
have an opportunity to witness series of paint
ings of such merit as those now exhibition
at Music Hall They are the work of eminent
artists and as illustrations of the famous dream
of Bunyan, are worthy of the patronage of all
classes of the community. Commencing with
view of the old prison at Bedford, where
Bunyan wrote his immortal work, the moving
panorama traces the progress and adventures of
the Pilgrim on his journey toward the Celestial
City, with splendid views of the beautiful land
scapes and palaces which were along the way,
and of the difficulties which he is obliged to
overcome. These paintings are accompanied
with all the requisite effects of illumination and
other accessories to fully bring out their beau
ties. One of the finest pictures in the collec-
ton is THE Wicket Gate" leading to a beau
tiful castle, over the entrance to which is in
scribed the words, ''Knock and it shall be open
ed unto you" The castle is brilliantly illumin-
ated and the whole effect of the picture, over
which hangs peculiar hazy atmosphere, is in
expressibly grand. But the chief interest of
the entertainment eliminates in the gorgeous
transformation scene before whose magniicence
the other pictures pale. The Pilgrims having
ended their perilous journey at last approach
the dark river of death beyond which in all its
splendor lies the Celestial City, the end of their
weary pilgrimage. No bridge crosses this silent
stream, but they boldly enter the dark waters
and safely reach the shining shore. Then, al
most imperceptibly, the picture changes and the
great pearly gates noiselessly and slowly de-
scend and cover the scene with their wondrous
beauty. After a brief interval these in turn are
drawn aside, revealing the grander glories and
more sublime beauty of the Celestial City as
seen through falling shower of the clearest
crystal; while over and around its graceful
domes and turrets outlined clearly against the
serene sky, over its paved streets and stately
buildings the abodes of purity and truth, there
hangs a thin, luminous haze, like halo of
glory Then follows the ascension of the faith
full ones who have at last entered into their re-
ward. The scene now becomes radiant with
golden light; the domes and turrets are illumin-
ed and shine in transparent splendor, while the
payements of the streets assume like brillian-
cy and the crystal shower changes to one OF
molten gold. The curtain falls upon a scene OF
bewildering magnifcence.
All this to those who have not witnessed this
imposing spectacle may seem like mere rhapso-
dy, but after they have once seen it they will
cheerfully acknowledge that it is only an i'm
perfect description of scene which language is
utterly impotent to fittingly portray
This exhibition has received the hearty en-.
dorsement and the patronage of the best por
ton of the community in all the principal cities
of the United States. The matinee this after
noon at o'clock will afford an excellent oppor
tunity for ladies and children to witness these
beautiful paintings, and it should receive very
liberal patronage, as should also the evening ex
week