The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-08-22
FORGET-ME-NOT:
THE PICTURE THAT WAS NEVER SEEN.

The lord chamberlain, who had Just returned
! from Italy. had become the subject of the
greatest attention with the brilliant but not
extensive circle which the queen was accus-
toned to assemble around her, in the kings
secluded summer residence
The narratives of the counts travels served
to shorten an unpleasant, stormy evening,
which visited the shady park surrounding the
castle with gusts Of rain and hail, interspersed
with streaks of lightning and heavy re- echoing
claps of thunder. The Imagination of the
queen revealed in the recollections which the
| stories of the count awakened; but the king,
mere interested in business of state inter-
rupted the speaker suddenly with the question
as to whether anything new had trapspired in
the capital city, which he had passed through
on his return. The lord chamberlain praised
the quiet and elegance of the city, not neglect
| ing to extol the wisdom of the sovereign to
whom all this prosperity must be attributed,
and closed with the assurance that, excepting
the exhibition of industry and art, the inhab-
itauts of the city were occupying themselves,
at present, with nothing but their own homes
and amusements. The Princess Eliza inquired
interestediy concerning the success of that
institution which owed its existence to her
suggestion, and the count, passing slowly
from one thing to another ran easily into the
enumeration of articles exhibited in the taste
full gallery. He left till the last what he con-
sidered the browning glory OF the collection
the paintings by native artists-and described
with the versatility of cicerone all the pic
lures of Madonuas, pictures from everyday
life, historical pictures and portraits, which
were worthy of attention. Having come to the
end, he interrupted himself suddenly, as if
rebuking himself and said:
Il had almost forgotten to mention picture,
which, although anonymous and very unfavor-
ably placed, deserves to be named IS the gem
of the gallery, both in idea and execution. 1
have seen nothing more wonderful in my life,
and even now, when speak Of it, all the de-
tails of the striking picture appear clear aud
decided before the mind, SO that can give
them without emitting anything essential"
This preliminary was calculated to raise the
greatest curiosity, and the queen, with the
company, formed narrow circle around the
narrator,
Imagine, your majesties, q medium-siEed |
tablet divided into two parts, of which each |
represents q single picture" began the lord |
1.-THE conditions of space divide
this picture in form the character is one and
the same In the first, the principal figure is
maiden in the full blooming freshness of youth.
The flowing drapery futters lightly in the
wind. One foot already rests upon the edge of
the barge which wsvers in suspended dance,
aud which the stream, curling up into foaming
waves, seems about to drive from the shore,
-;tb |
maiden look longingly into tho distance in her
features lies romantic enthusiasm. On the
shore which the mariner leaves, stand sympa
shizing friends. An old man, with silver hair,
waves a farewell: group of maidens, bloom
Dg as che, and Familiarity clinging to each
'ther, wave handkerchief and ribbons after
he departing: youth, handsome and earnest,
olds his hands together, and ont of the clouds,
friendly, loving, sorroWful countenance looks [
LOwn upon her. Luxuriant roses signal from
he beautiful shore, and form . rare contrast
o the lurking, green haired wster-fairieS who q
win under the mirror of the water in scarcely I
efned outlines, and seem TO pull the frail {
oat forward. The maiden, it lie plain, goes I
ence on a dangerous journey; but tender, g
himmering cloud-Rgure, doubtless the ever 4
Oung Hegemone, hovers near her, and by d
'licitous glance and implering gesture, seems
, express admOnition and prayer. Whether Ii
he mariner shall be saved by the grace of this g
uardIan angel, or fall by the wiles of the n
aiting fairies, is the question with which the b
aver unwillingly leaves the charming picture o.
} turn TO its companion piece. 81
'In the picture which We know consider, the C
rincipal figure is youpg man with walking q