Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1894-05-29

is done, your sturdy strength still teach
es many lesson, and in the words of
the poet we exclaim: "He dreamt not of
a perishable home who thus could
build"
Across the way from the Radcliff is
the great Bodleian library. 1t is enti-
tied to a copy of every book published
in the United kingdom, which procures
it many valuable works along with much
trash.
In one of the long galleries of this IL
brary hangs an interesting portrait of
Mary, Queen of Scots. There is little
story connected with the picture. 1t
seems that there was originally an old
painting Of the Scottish queen in the
stiff and well known costume in which
we generally recognize her, with the
pointed bonnet, the starched ruffle and
the long wasted bodice. But one day
an artist, in trying to restore some part
of the old painting, discovered second
canvass beneath, and removing the up
per one, revealed to sight the portrait Of
young and beautiful girl, with soft au-
burn hair, large, tender eyes, and clear
cut features. There was enough resem-
blance in the two faces thus disclosed to
support the supposition that the one
was picture of the lovely Mary, taken
in the full beauty of her girlish days,
and that for some inexplicable reason it
had been covered at later date by an
other portrait taken when maturer years
had somewhat faded that beauty and
robbed it of its fresh charm and lowell
ness.
There is another interesting story con-
nected with the beautiful reredos of All
Souls chapel. For many years the wall
behind the altar was covered by large
painting representing the translation to
heaven of a certain old archbishop.
One day it happened that a workman
was doing some repairing on the ceiling
of the chapel and by mischance thrust
one of the long boards of the scaffolding
through the canvass of the picture. He
was seized with fright at the mischief
ne had done and endeavored to repair
the damage by drawing the bits of torn
canvas together. AS he stopped he
caught glimpse of white, carved stone
through the ragged hole. An idea
struck him; he would report the discov.
cry, and, should the carving prove fine
it might serve to distract attention from
his i'll luck. No sooner thought of thar
done. There was some incredulity or
the part of the superintendent, but wher
finally prevailed upon to examine the
carving, he discovered indeed that some
rare old work of art was hidden behind
the canvass and plaster. Permission
was obtained from the authorities, thu
wretched painting of the old prelate re
moved, and the beautiful stone reredoi
was revealed to sight, nearly in per
feet state Of preservation, though thu
statues which had once probably filled
the inches, were all gone-possibly de
stroyed by the iconoclasts when the!
: covered up what could not well be re
moved. The reredos is very large
reaching from the altar to the archeC
roof above, and consists of a series o
inches, separated by slender, delicatel,
carved columns, and overhung by lace
, like canopies, which are now filled will
modern statues, representing kings ant
} queens, soldiers, priests, bishops ant
} saints-all souls of the righteous.
] The general airy lightness of the de
} sign is enhanced by the central niche
, being slightly elevated above the rest
! and the delicate open work of the cano
pies looks like old yellow lace petrifie'
: as by magic. One may sit for hours be