The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1891-02-21
ART MOCKING NATURE.
Some Funny Incidents at the Gettysburg
Cyciorama.

An MUCklNG IVA Uht,
Some Funny Incidents at the Gettysburg
Cyciorama.
A very pretty tradition has been han
ded down from remote antiquity de-
sCribing remarkable contest between
two great painters, master and pupil.
Tne story has appeared in such va
riety of forms and has been hitched on
to so many personages who have at
tanned any prominence with the brush,
that there is hardly a school child but
has heard it, and coincidently, hardly
any school child has any correct notion
OF lis origin. The story runs that both
master and pupil attained such de-
gree of excellence IN their chosen art,
that discriminating public, or perhaps
the. Royal Academy of those days, was
quiet al loss as to whom should be
awarded the palm. 1t must have been
a very remote period indeed, for in
stead of getting the senators, the sages
and the political bosses of those days
to champion their respective claims to
pre- eminence, both master and pupil
were so devoted to each other that each
insisted to the other belonged the
wreath. Finally contest was decided
upon to decide the vexed question.
Both master and pupil wers to
match their skill, and the popular vote
was to be the final court of appeal.
The day arrived and a vast concourse
gathered in the amphltheatre.
First the master came forward and
produced as the result and effort Of
his skill, a picture OF bunch of grapes,
so beautiful and so natural, that the
BIRDS Of the air came and pecked at it.
Loud acclamatlons arose from the
great throng. Even the fine percep.
tive powers of the birds had been de-
ceived what greater triumph of the
masters skill could be achieved2 But
it is now the pupils turn. He advances
modestly and asks his master to pull
aside yonder curtain and he will find
his picture there. The master steps
forward TO seize the folds OF the be-
wltching drapery, but 10 his hand
grasps nothing, but glides DER the
polished, painted canvas. Then arose
louder acclamations, and the palm was
awarded to the pupil, tor whereas the
master had but deceived the birds OF
tie air, the pupil had deceived man
himself, From that time to this, the
realistic in art has already been looked
upon as the greatest achievement OF the
painters skill. OF modern works, the
great Cyclcrama, representing the Bat
tie of Gettysburg, and now being ex-
hibited in this city, has undoubtedly
reached the acme OF realism in art, re-
presenting the most stirring event OF
the four years war. Every detail has
been depicted with the faithful, vivid
accuracy of the master hand. In fact,
SO intensely realistic is the portrayal OF
all the incidents in this intensely in
teresting scene, that all the excitement
attached to the event itself may be said
10 have been transferred to the canvas,
and from thence to the spectators eyes.
In the course of a half hours CONVEX
sation with Mr.. F. Nolen, the manager
of the Cyclorama, the other afternoon
a H7aM reporter gathered manv inter
esting and amusing incidents.
at is amusing" says he, "to recall
many of the incidents which have oc-
cured during the presentation OF thl:
great battle, and it is ludicrous to lis
ten to some of the ridiculous questions
asked by visitors, for instance: AT the
completion of the evenings lecture no
long since, countryman approached
the lecturer with the remark: Say, MIR
Speaker, | have heard on 'em bulldin
castles in the air, but never knew
could be done until | came here Inc
lecturer was in a quandary to know
what the man referred to, when he con
tinued by saying he couldn't get l
through his head how they managed tc
hang the gol darned roof OF the build
| ing in the air. He referred to tht
canopy which hangs directly over th'
snectators' heads and which is suspen
ded from the roof of the building II
order to produce the illusion.
at is a frequent occurrence NJ
continued, 'Gor cur lecturer to be sub
iected to numerous annoying and un
necessary criticisms from old soldiers
especialv from those who had attained
the rank of high private, and it is with
out exaggeration when | am about t
say, that if all the participants IN tbs
Battle of Gettysburg who hav2 vlslte'
our attraction during the past year ant
a half were to rehght the battle,
doub, whether the State of Pennsyl
vanIa would hold them-much less tn
battlefield OF Gettysburg. Upon cer
tain occasion, an old soldier approach
ed the lecturer with the remark that h
couldn't tell him anything about tn
engagement, for he was there at tn
time. Indeed, politely replied tn
lecturer. and may l ask your rank an
reeiment?' Certainly remarked tn
old soldier, who seemingly, was some
what embarrassed at the direct que:
ton. Il belonged to the 4th Reg
meut and played 81 bass 'Gre'