THE WOMBAT. 85 



the world for the past six years ; they may be roughly divided 

 into three sections. The first, and, alas ! the greatest com- 

 prise pictures painted in conformity with current tastes. The 

 second, and least numerically, are by artists who have remained 

 true to themselves — who have not defiled their robes. And 

 the third, which, in mass, is intermediate to the other two, 

 represent those who are endeavouring to reconcile their sense 

 of the beautiful with the popular taste ! Almost the first 

 picture I notice contains the purest conception of woman I 

 ever saw ! A figure that is essentially beautiful, and, like 

 Raphael's " Madonnas," will remain so to the end of time. 

 But the gifted painter has not had the courage to send his 

 dream forth, without introducing, in one corner of the canvas, 

 a sop to the prevailing love of ugliness. Surely he could have 

 so arranged his furniture that that blemish might be merely 

 indicated — not seen ! He could have buried it in an im- 

 penetrable shadow ; he could have thrown a rug over it — 

 anything in the world but juxtapose that " divinely fair " 

 conception with onlookers wearing igth century bonnets ! 

 The first change in Parisian fashions makes the picture a 

 laughing stock. 



And this is " Realism ! " What a libel ! The disciples 

 of ugliness tell us it is truth. Nothing of the sort ! It exists 

 certainly, but in the actual presence of a being so radiantly 

 pure we could look at nothing else ; it is not until we alter our 

 point of view, and begin to peer around, that we could see 

 those turbaned monstrosities : — -Why then introduce them in 

 the presentment ? 



Shall we grumble at the fierce domination of ugliness ? 

 No ! Let us rather rejoice that the intensity of its power will 

 kill it without our interference. This condition appears to be 

 a merciful providence to give us breathing time. Our strength 

 lies in our passiveness. But ! when the fitting moment 

 arrives that will usher in a new era, let every creature in 

 whose soul exists the minutest germ of love for the beautiful, 

 fight ! not only for this age but for generations to come. 



" MARCO." 



Geelontr. 



TX C 13 TG3> TK — ^"TT E? ^^ (From London, and late with 



JTX-- JELm JESX^JTlL A JLv-JEv X 9 McBean & Son, Melbourne.) 



Practical Chronometer, Watch & Clock Maker, Jeweller, Optician, 

 and Silversmith, 



467 ,; MQQmbQQl !Bt*, B* QeelQug* mm? Bspw&m Bridge, 



Watch Work a specialty. All kinds of Horological Work done on the Premises. 



A Twelve Months guarantee given for all Watch and Clock Work. 



