The DeSmet leader. (DeSmet, Kingsbury Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1883-06-30

And what Is real It's vain 10 ask,
And what Is only show;
For what lies hidden beneath the mask
Only ourselves may know.
Temple Bar.
GIKL'S COLLEGE,.
tion of Women Exempliflcd AT Wei.
lesley.
From the Literary World.
One Of the best illustrations of the
aesthetic element in the higher educa-
ton Of women is exemplifed by the
Browning Room at Wellesley college
near Boston. 1t is urge parlor at the
right of the main entrance, furnished 10
afford the students an ideal Of beauty.
The walls are covered with stamped
Venetian leather in dull red, the door of
old Russian leather. The embossed fig
ures are those of birds, flowers and
shrubs, hand painted, in b.onze and
gold. The original design was an ex-
1uisite piece of medieval art at Venice,
and was copied in London expressly ior
ing series of flower.pieces, is celebrated
aEIong artists, being the work Of the dis
tinguished painter Of flowers, Miss Ell
len Robbins. II consists of panels on
canvas i'm oil, each panel representing
a different flower. The average dimen-
sion of the panels is twenty-soven by
thirty inches. The wild flowers of Wei.
lesley are painted on the frame of
large mirror, by the same artist. AS the
room has been named in honor OF Mrs.
Browning, the three large windows, ele-
gantly designed i'm rich cathedral glass
bv Macdonald, of Boston, represent
well-known subjects from the pen of
that gifted poetess. On one is q por-
trait of Lady Geraldine.
And her front is calm, the dimple
Rarely ripples on her cheek.
On another is Aurora Leigh
drew wreath, drenched, binding
With dew, across ny brow.
On the third is the romance OF
Swans Nest
Past the boughs she stoops-ano
Lo, the wild swan has deserted,
And q rat had gnawed the reeds.
These windows are all highly artistic,
and excite admiration by their delicdcy
Of tint and beauty Of execution. The
ceiling is finished in heavy moulding Of
ash, forming panels which are filed
with another pattern on Venetian leath-
er, the ground work being the color of
old gold, on which are embossed rose.
bud and foliage. The floor is covered
with rich and heavy India rug. The
furniture is of carved teak-wo ood, which
has all the lustre and richness of ebony,
and includes several beautiful specimens
of Oriental carved work. There is an
exquisitely carved Japanese cabinet,
executed with. delicate tracery in some
unknown black wood resembling ebony.
This is surmounted by graceful Japa.
nese stork in old bronze, and daimio's
sword-rack containing two swords. One
OF these is an ancient Jap ,nese sword Of
state, with sheath of beautifully tinted
sea shells embedded in lacquer, and
bearing on its handle the ancient family
crest OF its former possessor. The other
is hari kari knife, a weapon OF great
antiquity, carried by ladies, encased in a
sheath Of bronze inlaid with gold. The
cabinet contains COLLECTION Of ancient
Japanese ceramics and lacquer work.
All Of these are OF great intrinsic value,
An ancient marriage chest and an up
right cabinet in old oak, excellent spec
linens Of MEDIEVAL German art, are re-
markable objects of interest. The mar
riage chest is very finely carved, and ac-
cording TO the inscription was made in
l647. On the lid are two panels; one
represents the resurrection OF Christ
from the opening tomb, surrounded by
q group OF soldiers, one OF whom is star
ting up with wonder and awe depicted
on his face. The other panel represents
the ascension of the Savior, about whom
are clus cred the disciples. The sides
and front of the chest are covered with
carvings. One OF tho principal groups
portrays the marriage ceremony, and
the other the meeting OF jacob and Ra-
chel at the well. The design is in keep
ing with the old marriage bene liction.
MAY your lives he rs happy rs that Of
Jacob and Rachel" Near the chest
stands the upright cabinet, which IL fin
ished with grotesQue carvings in high re-
lief. In this room are several bronzes,
an excellent study signed by Colodion, q
Sappho, a Virgil, etc. On easels are two
fine pictures, . portrait Of VittoriR, Col
lonna from the one by MuZianO, and a
beautiful st. Catharine by Girolamo Ma
zuolli.
But the most interesting attractions OF
this wonderful room are yet to be men
toned. The students look with JOY aud
pride on the beautiful marble bust Of
Mrs. Browning 10y story, the distin-
guished sculptor, and friend Of the
Brown pgs.
On a stand near .he bust, in modest
frame is u letter from Robert Browning,
which contains the following sentence: |:
81 beg to present to Wellesley College
the original manuscript Of the first poem
in the collection of Lost Poems ny Eliz.
abeth Barrett Browning" and besides
the letter, in tho delicate handwriting
Of its author, ID the poem, Little Mat
tie"
The marble statue ofthe Reading Girl.
by Jackson, excites the admiration OF
every one, and Is considered wonder
full production by the best Judges ofstat-
uary. 1t represents lovely girl sitting
in an easy position and apparently alb
sorbed in the book before her. There
is also marble bust OF Young Augustus.
In the hall near the entrance
TO the Browning room are
several choice paintings, including
flower piece painted 200 years ago by
Mario Nuzzi; Gilbralter from the Span
ish Shore. by II. Swain Clifford; Close Of
q Stormy Day. by Arthur Quartley;
The Letter Writer, by Carl Hubner;
Only a Mullen, and Vase Of Asters,
Golden Rod, and Fern, by Miss Rob.
bins.
The wise liberality Of the honored
founder Of the college is shown in his
thoughtfulness in providing the beauti-
fnl as we'll as the useful for the enjoy
ment and culture Of those who are 90
fortunate AZ TO spend their college years
at Wellesley.