News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1915-10-20

it can come into the ftillness of its pur.
pose. Can we not have faith, can we not
have wonder. can we not glimpse the far
off conception for which the workers are
striving? Never again will I cast aside
the artistic effort of one of my contem-
poraries. Perhaps it is merely waiting
for the passing of time to become mar
vel of high triumph.
The farther central room is duplicate
of one in the Palais de la Legion d. Hon
neur, established by Napoleon III in 1902,
upon which this whole building has been
modelled. 1t is almost circular. Its car
pet is symbolic, and its blue and gold
walls are broken by blue and gold hang
ings. Here the visitors stand and gaze,
held BY the beauty of color ana design.
When they turn, it is to rapt absorption
in corners which are consecrated to the
relics of Lafayette and Rochambeau.
Many of the most valuable French
paintings are housed in this building. In
deed, some of them were taken from the
Louvre, and are calmly hanging against
peaceful walls In neutral country. There
are intimate scenes of domestic and COM
momplace activities; there are portraits
of distinguished people, so pulsating
with life and warmth that they seem to
be standing on the outskirts of the room;
and there are, most significant of all,
many striking representations of war
fare.
One of these, an enormous canvas, hangs
at the end of long gallery; and because
of it's cleverness and it's timelness, it is
all day long the cynosure of Breathe
wonder and eager admiration. This is
LIE Reve by Detaille. 1t depicts the calm.
awe filled hour before dawn. In the
foreground are soldiers sleeping behi nd
their guns. In the distance are blazing
villages, and above is sweeping passage |
of clouds upon which rides triumphantly |
the vision of French armies of the past |
that have CALAMITY ridden to victory.
This picture combines the fidelity of |
realism with the vague outline OF the
ideal, the grim conditions of barbarous
conflict with the glorified thought that
may be behind it; and for this reason, as
we'll as for the Elusive blue. gray light of
dawn, which meets and modifies the
gray-blue light of night, the painting
catches and holds the imagination and
appreciation of everyone who chances
within its range.
On-the other side of the building are
two important things. One is the fashion
show, which occupies long. darkened,
room. Around the sides are
lighted cases in which the
most ultra aud most effectively posed
wax ladies exhibit the dernier cri in Pa
'iriaH fashions. Don't ask me to tell you
what these are. 1 couldn't do it, and
you wouldn't understand If l could. All
hat either of us needs to know is that
hose styles are very distinctive, and that
he gowns are very far from the floor and ,
'lso as far as possible. from the chic
reads of the wearers. At this point you I
nd may as well shoot swiftly down the /
tops and out again into the sunny atmos- I
here of the central court, which is we'll
within the simplest comprehension.
Poor, bereft Belgium. who has for l
months been dependent upon sympathiz- |
RS, has been particularly taken in charge
y France and has been given generous
hare of her building. Thlther the Bel.
ians have sent relief maps eff their prin-
ipal cities, pictures of destroyed struc-
lres, impressive statues of their king
nd queen, and the best of their art in !
aintings and needlework. =
1t is remarkable, think. that any of n
he foreign nations, intimately concerned q
18th vital issues, should have put $
bought and expenditure into this expo n
ton. OF course they are not all repre- f
snted by buildings, but nearly all of 4
lem have shown the spirit of participa- {
on. Germany, for instance, has no re-
option rooms here, but she has Joined in,
'r all that. l shall tell you about it.
ut not now, lest tire you all out with
y prolixity.
Affectionately,
BETTY.