The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-04-05
PLEA FOR PICTURES.

Chromus have been esthetica lily con-
fined to the shades Steel engravings
are allowable tiny picture, an i'm.
mense margin, and still more immen g
frame being good fOrm;' but etchings.
water colors, and oil paintings especial,
y by the old nIasters) are considered the
only pictures in perfect tase. But how
few, how very few picture lovers can
attain to the possession of the last
named; and shall the many be deprived
of pictures entirely because the decree
has gone forth, Have good pictures. or
none? A print of some expensive pic.
ture may be as great a treasure in the
cottage as the original is in the mansion
on the hill.
People will have pictures in spite of
fashions DEGREES. An old lady lately
said in my hearing They say it amt
fashionable to have pictures hung all
over house, but they must be in hall
or one room, an call it gallery but |
don't like it. Whatever room I'm in |
want to see some pictures hanging
around ; they're wonderful resting to
person. Why always have one hang
ing over my wash-stand-a landscape
generally-an' it's world of comfort
have in sight now picture-a cheap
chrome 1t must be comics sed-but in
looking at it forget that the mercury
stands uncOmfortably near zero; that
the snow is whlrling through the air,
and that last summer Is far away, and
next summer still in the future. Surely
the little picture has some magic power.
In the foreground is country road
bordered by zig gag fence along which
squirrel seems to be skipping, and
blackberry bushes nodding Invitingly in
the corners. In the road yoke of sleek
oxen are drawing a load of hay sur
mounted by some riotous boys Draw
ing, | said: the oxen do not actually
move, but there is always the vivid i'm
preston that they are just going to.
Beyond the road and apparently run.
ming from under it is a stream Of rip.
ping water. One can imagine from
what cool, messy grotto up in the
mountain it has started how the ferns
have clustered around it, and other tiny
rills have joined it until it comes
down through the valley power for
good. Here and there it widens out into
calm pools which reflect the willows
bending over the edges and the beauty
of the summer sky. Bere the cattle
stand knee deep in the llmpid flood and
sniff the frag. ant air. Then the stream
draws itself together again and darts
under a rustic bridge and winds on
down the valley until lost to sight in the
distance.
On either side are fair, green mead
ows. in which | am sure this minute the
daisies and huttercups are blowing,
II .,-,oIAl alAnaa anA thaFn
comfortable farm houses. Then the val
ley ends in forest, and the background
is filled hy the White Mountains loom.
ing blue and majestic against the 6luer
sky. There is the Notch, ever inviting
one to new beauties over and beyond
those Detachable Mountains the Notch
which, as one little girl traveller said,
was Just made purpose, too cunning for
Could a thousand dollar
picture hold more OF the the charm OF
summer landscape: .,
have etchings and paintings by all
means, those who can. But do not u
Critic, deprive those who cannot the
possession Of cheap limitations. DO not
sheer if the washerwOman ornaments
the wall of her one poor room with a
chrome, awkardly hung with tack IN
each corner. Ii may be the only bright
spot in all her dingy surroundings. Do
not smile scornfully if you find child's
bedroom gorgeous with fantastic array
of advertising cards, and do not utterly
condemn a family who, though they
may boast a painting or two in the par
lor, vet dare not enliven the blank wall
of dining or sleeping room with pictures
of no market value. Better cheap copies
Of good subjects than none at ALL
Good Housekeeping.