The Big Stone post. (Big Stone Gap, Va.) 1890-1892, 1891-02-13
Airy Tongues.

Mcissoncr, who died the other day in Paris,
was perhaps the greatest of his contcmpora-
ries. His paintings were small in size, but
their accuracy and fitness of detail rendered
them gems of great value. II is estimated
that the four hundred pictures, which were his
life work, were worth $4,000, 900 before his
death, and their value will be greatly increased
now that he has passed away. Several excel
lent specimens OF his work are owned in this
country One of these which is well worth
study. is in the collection of Mr.. H. Victor
Newcomb, millionaire now living in New
York. 1t is the " Halbcrdier," single figure
of foot soldier Of the time of Louis XIV
stiff, erect, proud, in FURNISHED armor and with
ready lance Its harmonious and well-managed
color, its character, look and perfect technique
show how true the artist was to the military
instinct and how masterful and accurate was
his touch Psychologists have admired the per-
feet anatomy of this single soldier, only few
inches in size, yet with every minute detail
complete, from the rough hide shoes 10 the pol
shed steel casque.
Many stories were current in Paris few
years ago about Meissonier, illustrating his
lavish expenditure of money and his capricious
freaks Of fancy. When building his house at
Poissv,a suburb of Paris, he tore it down
eight times and when he then found he had
forgotten staircase he philosophically sub
stitued ladder The building was adorned
with fountains, statues, Conservatives, rich
upholstery, opulent coloring, soft, sensuous
figures in frescoe or on stained glass, but,
singularly enough, it did not contain single
touch of his own brush. \ lady observing
this, remarked: 81 see beautiful things, II.
Meissonier-lovey gardens, delightful rooms,
statues, flowers, books, rich hangings-but |
see none of your own pictures. All. Madame"
he exclaimed, E" they are sso dear to allow me
TO keep them" And they were TOO dear, some
of them bringing $4,000, and one, believe,
$4,000. He truly could not afford, as rich as
he was, to decorate his house with such Orna
ments. The latter years of his life were spent
in Paris: and almost up to his death, which
must have spared him until seventy-four or
five, he was as energetic, impetuous and restless
as a boy.
When the Duke of Marlborough was at
Lexington his host, Major Mcdowell, who en-
tertains as charmingv as it is possible to, even
in that lovely and favored bluegrass region,
took him around to see number of the famous
stables of the vicinity. Going to particular
place where the proprietor is a busy man of
affairs, the Major, seeing that he was in his
shrt-sleeves, went ahead of the visiting party
to prepare him, and said:
"The Duke of Marlborough is coming, and
want to present You to him and have him see
your place"
san right" said the proprietor, but he didn't
move, and when the party came up, he simply
said:
"shakc my elbow, Duke, my hands are
dirty"
The explosion that followed can better be
imagined than described,
And now it is favorite form Of salutation in
that Athens of the South and West.
a member of the Appalachian Club recently
brought from New York colored Autographs of
those charming dancers, Carmencita and Otero,
the one of Carmenrita being about six feet