The Evening critic., 1882-04-28

we must add, very pleasing one. The good
man is seen in the act Of pronounclng his bon
ediction on the cross, which is being lifted
into position by four OF tho stalwart followers
OF the porsevering De Soto. The figure Is re-
markably natural, and the details admirably
true even TO tho two extended fingers (the
with the ritual Of his church. The
eyes OF De Soto and those Immediately sur
rounding him are fixed In an earnestgaze on the
good monk, and the apparent reverence ana
evident Joy CT the aborlginos, standing not far
away, are beautiful to behold. 1t would np-
pear that the artist was inspired while work
ing out this especial part OF his picture, for,
IL TO carry his idea out fully, he placed not far
from the monk, and also In the foreground, a
warllkc-looking Spaniard, in the very act OF
binding up a shattered limb, which shows un-
misiakable signs OF having been Just rubbed
with the famous substance, st. Jacobs oil. He
has just dropped the bottle, and Is seen wrap.
ping n bandage around the injured part. Just
In the rear OF this figure is another warrior,
whose body Is bent forward, as II to purposely
show his injured hoad, which, too, has Just
been bandagcd, SO lifelike and natural arc
these figures that one almost expects to detect
the pungent, albeit pleasant odor Of the st.
Jacobs OIL, which they must have Just ap-
piled, Its presence being recognized by the
color. In short we may say that the Interest
Of the beholder is directed thanks to the ar
tist), not to De Soto, but to the old monk, st.
Jacob, and the worthy adventurers who are
using his oil; and while one contemplates the
impressed, by the laws OF association and com.
parison, 70 consider the virtues Of that prince
OF remedies.
Now as TO the discussion and the various
grounds upon which 1t has arisen. There are
three questions involved. The first is:
Did the prophetic soul OF Mr.. Powell, the
artist, show him that in our day and genera
tion st. Jacobs OIL would be the prince Of
remedies, as the "Father Of Waters" the Mis-
sissippi, was and is the king OF rivers ?
The second is: Is the Government making
use OF the trademark OF A. Vogeler Co., tho
proprietors of st. Jacobs OIL; and, II so, why?
The third is; Is 1t an advertisement; and, IL
ln. % Intn ftat.
that A. Yogeler & Co. have been quietly work
Ing Tor so many years, and have finally made
IL known?
Or has our Government like our people, be.
come so exceedingly pleased with ST. Jacobs
OIL that 1t gives 1t this everlasting and un-
equalled artistic advertisement n recon-
pense for the good work II has done
We know not concerning Mr.. Powells pro-
phetic power, but we know the facts exist, pre-
cisely as queried above. II tn ere is any truth
In the rumor that the Arm Intend going to law
with the Government, establishing tho date Of
the granting of the trademark prior to the
painting OF the picture can alone give reason
able grounds for such procedure, and n show
Ing OF cause by the plaintins as to why the de-
fense infringes.
Should 1t be that our Government has taken
upon itself, without official announcement
thereof, to advertise st. Jacobs OIL (and this 1t
is doing In most wonderful manner daily,
intentional or otherwise,) 1t will show a curl
Gus and rather novel degree of enterprise in
affairs OF state.
Whatever the outcome may be, there stands
the picture-a st. Jacobs OIL painting, In Its
true delincation, In the U. S. Capitol building.
1t is SO acknowledged by the hundreds who
daily flock to see 1T; and whether the Govern.
ment or the artist or the firm is responsible
for 1t, the picture is there, and Will be shown
for years 10 come by any of the guides or
guards. So II matters not what view may be
taken Of the circumstances, or the comment
upon it, the significant fact stands forth in
marked prominence that a magnificent paint
ing illustrative of great historical event, and
suggestive, at the same time, in an eminent
degree, OF the trade symbol of the most
lar remedial agent known, is sheltered be-
meath the dome of the Capitol.