National Republican., 1874-05-08

and glass cases, fIled with modern lace, from
Brussels, from Irish schools, and from Devon
shire villages, whose cunning stitches run
those made centuries ago very close irdeed.
Still there is much to learn from the old
designers, and herein lies the value and benefit
of all those specimens of industry and patience.
Perhaps never before has there been such an
opportunity afforded TO the gsueral public of
contrasting the styles and stitches Of bygone
workers. The collection begins with screen,
on whose revolving leaves are displayed not
only specimens of historical lace, but photo
graphs from odd pictures, showing how the
quaint rGfies and coppets were worn in the
ffteenth and sixteenth centuries. This in
terestiBg collection is close to large case con-
talning nothing but superb bone point cover
lid, once the property Of the Grand Mouarque.
1t is really o specimen Of very bold Spanish
point, but Il is considered by its exhibitors to
have been worked with the large bone needles
or bobbins in use absst the same date.
Perhaps the most perfect specimen of pillow
hibited BY the Countess Of Chesterfield; and
the deep 1ounce- on which men in armor,
heroes heavily plumed-nay, even miniature
cannon-were worked two hundred years ago,
would be worth two hours careful study.
Mr.. Morrfson's superb set of point d. Ale1eon
divides the ancient from the modern portion
of this section, and whatever may be the differ
much to linger over with admiration and de-
light in the fairy films beyond, made only
few months or weeks since. The Nottingham
Chamber of Commerce sends examples of what
looms and machinery can do, and every year
brings some improvement in the fiDeness and
evenness of the ground work in these swiftly
made laces, as well as in the lightness and dur
ability of their edges.
LAM4RTZEE.
The character of Lamartine with all its vir-
tues and all its faults is revealed in the history
OF his life. As statesman he must rank very
low. being simply theorist; but his errors were
those of noble mind filed to overiowing with
pity for the suffering and the oppressed. As a
writer he stands in the foremost rank of French
authors. His style is glowing and picturesque,
his powers Of description are marvellous, his
poetry is the most poetical in the French Ian
guage; of ell her writers he has the most soul;
as story teller no one is more charming; his
faults are strong tendency, to the inflated and
the exaggerated, to q morbid sentimentalism
which too frequently sinks into a pathos and
emasculation. He is, above all others, the poet
of women.
Like all Frenchmen, intense egotism was
one of the prominent errors of his character.
This fault was redeemed, however, by so many
noble and shining qualities, that it almost dis
appears in their lustre. He was ..the soul Of
honor, the brayest ef the brave, the most ge n
erous OF men. Pages could be filled with snec-
dotes of his gentleness Of heart and boundiess
charity. The emoluments which he derived as
q member of the Provisional Government he
distributed freely and unasked among the
poor authors Of Paris, and the letters which |
accompanied these gifts doubled the obligation. |
Sunday, his only holiday, was devoted to char |
ity his doors were open to all who suffered, who
were In want. All who came, whether known |
or unknown, he greeted with extended hand,
with kindly sniles and words, to soften the |
bitterness and humiliation Of their position. |
81 am dying of hunger" one day wrote lacon- |
ically an unknown. 81 have five hundred
francs, they are yours with all my heart"
wrote back Lamartine. "If had hundred |
francs 1 would be truly happyW exclaimed q
poor author In his presence. "Here are q
thousand" answered Lamartine, giving him |
the money. Only the revenues of prince |
could sustain such munifcence. For years be- |
fore his death be was overwhelmed with debts,
and reduced to comparative indigence; but the |
divine impulse of charity remained as active as
ever. He was saving up to buy himself lit |
tie pony -chaise to take the cir in; he had gath
cred just a thousand francs, when poor wo- |
man who lived in the neighborhood came to
nlIn WIFI plbeOub lAle, HeT GOOuS hau OceH |
seized by hard-hearted creditor, and home |
less destitution stared her in the face. "How |
much do you requirei' he asked. "a thou |
sand francs" was the answer. There was a
struggle, and then he went away, |
fetched his little hoard, and placed it in her |
hand.
The man who could do these deeds was q |
Christian. No higher nor rarer praise can be |
upon him, for generations frequently |
pass away without producing one such.-Ieul- |
R1q