The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-11-10
The walters Art Gallery.
Written for the Democratic Advocate.
BY EDGAR T. READ.

Is open 10 VlSltolS every wednesday II
February and March, and every Wednes
day and Saturday of April; also Washing
ton birthday and Easter Monday. The
hours on all the above days are from clever
to four Tickets may be obtained for fifty
cents at the Mount Vernon Hotel few
doors west of the Gallery The entire pro
ceeds are devoted to the cause of charity.
Entering the house, and after passing
through a hall, on one side of which are
apartments protected from the curious eye
by panels and frosted glass, we are ushered
into the Oriental Gallery, where, for the
moment we stand bewildered by the many
objects which meet our eyes. Upon al
sides are displays from the lands of the ris-
ing sun, which attract, not only by then
rare beauty and graceful form, but also foI
their antiquity and almost priceless value.
On the walls, behind japanese banners arc
hung tapestries, whose pleasing colors blend
with the soft Persian rugs upon the floor.
Along the sides Of the room stand twelve
eases, filled with porcelains and other spec
linens of art from the Celestial Empire and
the dominions of the sacred Mikado Some
of the cabinets are of ebony with red shelves,
but in others the back ground is of stained
oak, afording perfect harmony with the
blue and white vases which they support
In the centre of the gallery, upon stand
of teak wood and brass, may be seen a
large bronze, eight feet in height, sur
mounted by a daimio, toward which drag
ons writhe up the sides 1t is the most
prominent figure in the collection, and one
of the first objects that welcomes the visi-
tor on crossing the threshold.
Quaint little urns and vases peep out
from the shadow .of larger ones, whose
dainty markings and elaborate figures ex-
hibit the master work of Eastern art; while
handsome gold and silver teapots and bowls
of bronze lend their beauty to the scene.
Crystals Of the purest water, from the size
of a walnut to those of three inches in
diameter, are among the most remarkable
objects in the collection. The ivory cary
ings are mastery in workmanship: from the
figure of some ancestral god to the foTSp of
Il wild animal they all stand witness to the
long and patient labor the Oriental artist
spent upon their production. One partic-
ular specimen is that of an elephant, on
whose back several hunters are standing,
while upon the ground and on the ladder
leading to the platform other figures are
grouped. Little jars, encased III bags Of
Japanese Grape, are seen near larger works
of the master art; specimens of crackle
porcelain and jade from China are resting
near highly finished lacquers; and the
baskets of fine wicker work from the Sun
rise Kingdom are among the most note
worthy relics to be seen. New forms and
figures meet the eye at every turn, until
in fancy we are carried across the seas to
China, where in imagination we view the
laborious work that produced the beautiful
colors and graceful porcelains now before
us. We stand beside the miner as he digs
kaolin from the mines; and following this
clay N its course to King -to-tching. the
great porcelain centre, see it in the artist
hands; and as we watch him, blast from
the ever heating furnance blows us across
the water to the islands of Japan, there to
have the lacquer workers and carvers of
bronze and ivory entertain us for many
hours.
In the Bridge Room, leading to the
main picture gallery, are numerous speci-
mems of bronze, and other objects, one of
which we have heard so much, the cele-
brated ''peach blow vase. Beside this
work of art is similar peach blow" the
first worth many thousand the second but
a few dollars.
From here we enter the small room ad-
joining the Oriental Department in which
are found the water colors and designs.
The picture given the place of honor is
NIillets original in black and white of the
obtained by Mr. Walters from
the Sellars Collection of London. 1t is
quite an honor that America should own
both the painting and the previous study
of this impressive picture, the masterpiece
Of the French artist and one of the great
est productions of the school of France,
perhaps of all modern art. Millet is also
by three other works, the best
being the Shepherd at the Fold; while the
walls are graced with the Andalusian Bulls
of Rosa Bonheur. Moonlight on the
Thames is an interesting English study;
AIRY Scheffer's Dante and Beatrice is from
the collection of the Queen of Holland
Ready to March by Detaille possesses more
than passing interest; Zien has four studies
of Yenitian skies; Meissonier gives us
glimpse of an artist studio; Diaz portrays
The Edge of the Forest, from whence we
look into the thicket dense and brown; and
several sketches of classic subjects. among
them Alma -Tadema' Twixt Venus and
Bacchus, carry us to the lands of sunny
Europe and the time of legend and of song.
But we must hasten to other fields
where greater treasures await our inspec-
Jon; and leaving this apartment in few
stand at the entrance of the larger
gallery, where are most of the paintings
this collection, the finest private
gathering of its kind in the United States
We can truly exclaim with Longfellow,
Everywhere / see around me rise the wond-
rous world Of Art"
If the spirit of Goldsmith could be trans
ported to this place, he would hardly say,
while gazing upon these walls filled with
such works of art, as he did in former days
when among Alpine solitudes,
Il sit me down pensive hour to spend"
Our eyes wander about unable 10 ap-
preciate the wondrous sights. Two or
Ihree cabinets in the centre Of the room
contain beautiful specimens fired and black
acquers; and ivory carvings, Inros and
lie hidden within drawers
The collection of paintings embraces over
l60 works. One of the first pictures that
meets the eye is Gleyre's Lost Illusions,
he most impressive painting in the gallery,
md of deep interest to all those familiar
With the circumstances that gave it birth.
Near by is Corot's Martyrdom of st. Se-
Dastian, large canvas 1896 inches.
Passing down the right side we come to
Geromes celebrated study, Diogenes,
where the old philosopher holding his Ian