54 THE DENIZENS OF THE FOREST 



from the pictures of the Russian painter Verest- 

 chagin, engravings from which are given in his 

 autobiographical sketches entitled ' ' Vassili Verest- 

 chagin." This great painter evidently succeeded 

 in getting inside the wild peoples he loved ; and his 

 pictures reveal to us beauties we might without them 

 never have known. In these people's gait, their 

 attitudes, their grouping, as well as in their features, 

 he was able to discern the hardihood, the patience, 

 the impetuosity, the gentleness of their character, 

 and portray it for us. 



Putting aside the obvious differences between us 

 and them, we are able to detect our fundamental 

 identity of nature, have a fellow-feeling with them, 

 recognise sameness between us and so see their 

 beauty. 



