The Portland daily press., 1884-06-05


minister to France.
A picture is given of the trim brig Boxer
scuddlng along before a smart breeze on
somewhat unreal ocean. A writing desk once
she property of Captain Blithe of this brig and
cutlass used on board make quite series of
naval links. The foreign relics include an
English cross bow made of iron in the 18th
century, by Green Prescott, Peruvian Rockers
an African war horn and Turkish cmater
from the Crimea.
Last upon record, but first in our hearts. is
the modern history of our nation, told here In
the mementoes that speak for the dead and
the living. One cannot enter their presence
without thrill of patriotic reverence. These
mementoes are under the charge of Lieut..
james M. Stafford Over the window, above
the art department, hangs the ragged banner
of the 9TH Maine Regiment, carried for five
years, and doing duty for the last time at the
battle OF Gettysburg, where it was seen often
amid the thickest of the fight. Next to this is
the remnant of the goth Maine flag, parading
its tatters with royal pride. There are the
State and regulation flags, the LIST Maine flag.
the flag of the LIST Maine Battery, the first
American flag unfurled over Charleston dis
trict after the surrender of Sumter, the head
quarters flag of Gen. E. E. Upton, 9th Corps,
and the headquarters flag of Barlow's division,
which looked down upon the battle OF Gettys-
burg. Looking at these worn and faded ban
ners, ear and eye travel back, and once again
The forward marchr' rings out along the lines.
The stir of weakened ranks we see; they sway like
tossing pines;
Their uniforms of dazzling blue are naupht but
faded rags
And the carnage of the battle is written on their
flags
And ON their care-worn faces All mel the scars
they bear.
The limbs they've lost in BATTLE empty sleeves
they wear.
Yonderr are two large Confederate garrison
tags made of fiannel-these too are the relics
VUo
forgive them, we who are the victors; forgive
the hand that was raised in false cause, the
life that spent itself in trsitorous service, bat
can We ever forget? Mol Only the power
that resurrects the dead can do that
Here are John Browns saddle-bags; they
are not much to look at, you say. True; yet
how many battle.felds they have galloped
over, how many camp-fres they have lain be-
side; how many times have they pillowed a
patriots head? They show the track of bull
let; touch them reverently.
This soldier hat with its furnished adorn-
ments shows also the track of bullet that
just grazed the head of the wearer-Colonel
Charles ButterViile. Do you see those two
shreds in yonder case? They are shreds of the
overcoat Innings Of the first Union men who
died for their country Whitney and Ladd--
shot own while marching through the streets
of Baltimore. One of these remnants is even
now stiffened with the blood of the wearer
Here is a Whitworth's solid shot and percus-
sion SHE'LL cannon balls, sabres, muskets,
rapiers and bay onets. One of the latter that
served at the battle of the Wilderness con-
fronts us. piece of aharpened shot found
at Antietam and four poisoned rebel bullets
cut from the courthouse at Fairfax excite
our contemptuous pity for the men who fought
in this cowardly manner, and lead us to thank
God for an honest victory. This piece of 8
post from the stockade in the prison pen at
Andersonville is another reminder OF con-
federate cruelty, and this sabre with home
made wooden scabbard, this canteen from the
battle OF the Wilderness and these flannel flags
give us some idea of the necessity which con-
fronted our enemies. Here too Is their muster
roll, their money, their bonds and their news
papers, belt plate and buttons, engraved
with the palmetto Among their papers we
see number of the Daily Dispatch, printed
at Richmond, March 81, 1864. --latest from
the North," reads one of their dispatches,
"Lincoln calls for 100000 more men. Explana-
lions OF the call-The causes of gloom at the
North" Just opposite this we see, or dream,
that we see another paper which reads: "a
nation in mourning; the assassination of Presi-
dent Lincoln; escape of the murderer" and
over and above all written in blood which was
its price we see the word victory. 81
On the wall is portrait of Edward Preble,
and Just beneath it picture of the engage
ment between the Kearsarge and Alabama,
painted from sketch made by him. The
artist was Mr.. Norton. The sword worn BY
-
To the left of these is the certificate of hos
pital steward, William A, Noyes of the 9Th
Maine regiment, and near by tiny flag sent
to him in a biscuit by Miss Van Lew, who is
and has been for many years postmistress at
Washington. To those who do not find COL
lation suited to their appetites in the refresh
mont room we would recommend the specimen
of hard tack found here. But the day wanes,
and we may not tarry longer amid these inter-
esting relics which recall so much that is dea r
to patriotic hearts. Fain would we leave some
parting thought at the feet of our defenders,
but can only promise:
Your tattered ghost-like flags shall rest
Upon nations throobing breast;
Your worn and faded uniforms
Shall weather centuries of storms
Your swords shall never yield to rust
Ill memory has turned to dust.
God bless the soldier he who lives
10 take the thanks his country gives
God bless the solierl he who lies
In lonely grave meath Southern skies,
Or underneath the heaving sea
Awaits the eternity to be.
God bless our Union, flag and land,
And keep us one united band.
THE ART EXHIBITIONS.
In paying attention to the various attrac-
lions of the fair it must be borne In mind that
the line collection of works OF art at the art
building, in the rear of Congress street and
just off of Deering Place, merits careful in.
compositions of the leading artists of the
world goes into the treasury of the fair and
helps in swelling the fund for the monument
Only three days more remain in which to
contemplate these choice pictures, and al
though the attendance has been good it should
at least be doubled. Il
Verbichoven, whose sheep are said to take
MI fco Del
a chevalier of the Legion of Honor, of the
Orders of Leopold of Belgium, Michael of Ba-
varia, Christ of Portugal and decorated with
the Iron Cross He is a member of the Acad-
emies of Belgium, Antwerp and St. Peters
burg. Aston of New York owns two of his
paintings for one of which he paid $3400, and
for the other $500. His canvases are small,
but they are painted with the fidelity to de-
tail characteristic of a miniature painter.
An "Arab Sheik," by William Sartain, fair
ly startles the bebolder with its strength and
natnralness Sartain is Philadelphia, a
graduate of the Philadelphia Academy, and
the French National Academy of Fine Arts.
The coloriDg of this picture is solid, and the
drawing shows that the artists residence in
Algiers was productive of good results.
Laforge, the celebrated decorator in oils,
who decorated High Street Church in this
city, Trinity Church in Boston, and is also q
great manufacturer of stained glass, exhibits a
picture entitled "Boy and Dog" Professor
Weir says his works are remarkable for their
purity and charm of color. Their shcrtcom-
ings are suggestion OF deficiency in form and
defective drawing.
e. Benssset displays small picture entitled
1.-The Vidette." 1t represen a dragon
mounted, with another in the distance
Benasset is evidently one of the followers of
the Meissonier school, All the little details of
with great care, and also the pose OF the ami
NAL.
Gustave Doyen presents a very large cam
vas, "Fhe First Born" Doyen is pupil of
Bouguereau but he has not yet approached
his master. The figures however are all well
drawn and the picture breathes tender seLt-
ment.
Baag's "Fele Day." is full of life and one
OF the most attractive pictures. A Bayarian
artist Haag is great favorite in England
where in 1876 he made a most attractive exhi.
bition of his work.
There is picture in the ladies' room, inst
off the main gallery, of four peasants seated at
table. The faces and figures are worthy of close
study, and figure students should pay careful
attention to them.
The large picture, in the same room, entitled
= Midnight Arrival" attracts good deal
of attention, more from the subject perhaps
than from the merits of the painting. 1t rem
resents huge ocean steamship coming up to
her dock at night, the deck and top lights
flashing through the darkness, and bringing
out in bold relief the great craft as she slowly