The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-03-08
Pictures from History.

Ills said experience is dear teacher,
but fools learn from no other. 1t is pre-
sumed, however, that we have reached
such state of culture that we may
profit by the experience of others. Let
us then, for moment, take a passing
glance at some Of the pictures hung on
the walls of that spacious building
History.
You may take your choice of light and
shadow-of depth and richness of color
ing-or of crayons only in black and
white. If your taste be sober, you will
admire the stern pictures; but mayhap
your fancy is vivid, and your eye de-
lights in beautiful scenes which Devil
der, yet entrance. Look here for q mo-
ment at this splendid pageant which is
passing. The streets are crowded with
excited people striving to gain the last
look at q beautiful girl who sits yonder
in that carriage. Mark her face, its
tints and contours. And seel her eyes
are filed with tears; for she is leaving
her home ard going to dwell in another
country,
In few years see her again, even
more beautiful than before. Now she
stands with her children, near her hus.
O"EVs put looh! LII WutI SuTuURe COL
trast is the scene which follows. In a
cherries cell whose floor is covered with
water, sits woman whose white hair be-
tokens age. In the dim light she strives
to make small keepsake for her daugh-
ter. But her face seems familiar-let
me look closer. Is it possible! Why,
if mine eyes do not deceive me this is
she whom we saw before-the beautiful,
the gracious queen of France-Marie
Antoinette!
Let us pass.
Here is man working at ship build
ing. Who is he, 1 wonder? A king,
and his name is Peter the Great. He
wished to improve his people. and so
first learned the lesson he would teach
them. He is man of whom it is said.
He ruled all men except himself"
Well. Tn tired of these pictures, can we
not see something more of life in it? Oh,
yes! look over here on this wall. This
large painting gives glimpse of the
the crusaders led by Peter the Hermit.
Here they go-men, women and chill
dren, all marching in disorder, guided
only by desire to reach the Holy Land.
What can they accomplish? Look at
this, and see-not hopeful company,
but few stragglers, weary and faint,
returning to their home as best they
may. The great army has disappeared,
and we cannot wonder when we remem-
Der they had no system or discipline of
anv kind.
Farther on, around a turn in the wall
hangs a picture in which may be seen
the result OF discipline and united effort.
Surrounded by masses of bronze forms
and faces, but steadily advancing, is a
small group of white men in armor.
They are fighting. But what can the
Aztecs win in the battle with Cortez and
his band, even though but handful:
At length they are forced to yield, though
they fought with the desperation of men
who defend home and country.
Farther on. here in this strong light,
hang two deatEbed scenes. This on the
left seems dark and dreary. The man
appears worn and wasted, yet there are
seen traces of his indomitable will. He
tries to rise from his bed. Hark. He
gives commands as il in battle. Does he
think of the day when he was the proud
victor and wore the crown of imperial
France, or OF his bitter defeat at Water.
loo? Now he rests and smiles peace.
fully. Perhaps he fancies his beloved
Josephine soothes his dying hour. But
look nov is the death struggle; he dies
as he lived-iighting.
In the other death chamber stand
weeping relatives around a couch on
which is seen man whose calm, peace
full face expresses more eloquently than
words the memory of n life well spent.
Although mourned 10y nation and re-
GREETED by the world, you see here no
token of his great deeds. But if you
could look into the heart of America you
would see her children weeping for
their own beloved Washington. He
passes TRANQUILITY to the farther shore.
and in the silence we can almost hear the
glorious welcome of the immortals as il
falls on his ear and causes. in his smile,
the Joy with which he takes his place
with those who have an approving con-
science to make light their hearts, and
where he will stand forevermore as a
benefactor of mankind Kansas City
Sunday Journal.
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