Old Time Wall Papers Part 17

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_PLATE LXV_

PLATE LXV.

The Adventures of Telemachus.

Paper from the home of Dr. John Lovett Morse at Taunton, Ma.s.sachusetts, ill.u.s.trating the sixth book of Fenelon's _Adventures of Telemachus_. Found also in the home of Mr. Henry De Witt Freeland at Sutton, Ma.s.sachusetts; on the hall of "The Hermitage,"

Andrew Jackson's home near Nashville, Tennessee; and in an ancient house at Kennebunk, Maine. (p. 86-88)

Telemachus, son of Ulysses, and Mentor, who is Minerva in disguise, while searching through two worlds for the lost Ulysses, arrive at the island of the G.o.ddess Calypso and her nymphs.

Telemachus recites the tale of their adventures, and Calypso (who is unfortunately divided by the window into two equal parts) becomes as deeply enamored of Telemachus as she had formerly been of his father.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_PLATE LXVI_

PLATE LXVI.

The Adventures of Telemachus.

Venus, who is bent on detaining Telemachus on the island and delaying his filial search for Ulysses, brings her son Cupid from Olympus, and leaves him with Calypso, that he may inflame the young hero's heart with love for the G.o.ddess.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_PLATE LXVII_

PLATE LXVII.

The Adventures of Telemachus.

Cupid stirs up all the inflammable hearts within his reach somewhat indiscriminately; and Telemachus finds himself in love with the nymph Eucharis. Calypso becomes exceedingly jealous. At a hunting-contest in honor of Telemachus, Eucharis appears in the costume of Diana to attract him, while the jealous Calypso rages alone in her grotto. Venus arrives in her dove-drawn car and takes a hand in the game of hearts.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_PLATE LXVIII_

PLATE LXVIII.

Adventures of Telemachus.

Calypso, in her rage against Eucharis and Telemachus, urges Mentor to build a boat and take Telemachus from her island. Mentor, himself disapproving of the youth's infatuation, builds the boat; then finds Telemachus and persuades him to leave Eucharis and embark with him. As they depart toward the sh.o.r.e, Eucharis returns to her companions, while Telemachus looks behind him at every step for a last glimpse of the nymph.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_PLATE LXIX_

PLATE LXIX.

Adventures of Telemachus.

Cupid meantime has dissuaded Calypso from her wrath and incited the nymphs to burn the boat that is waiting to bear the visitors away.

Mentor, perceiving that Telemachus is secretly glad of this, and fearing the effect of his pa.s.sion for Eucharis, throws the youth from the cliff into the water, leaps in after him, and swims with him to a s.h.i.+p that lies at anchor beyond the treacherous shoals.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_PLATE LXX_

PLATE LXX.

Scottish Scenes.

The room on which the Adventures of Telemachus are pictured having proved too large for the set of scenes, the remaining corner is filled out with what appear to be Scottish scenes, possibly ill.u.s.trations for Scott. Harmony in coloring was apparently of more importance than harmony in subject.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

_PLATE LXXI_

_PLATE LXXII_

PLATE LXXI.

The Olympic Games.

This famous paper, now owned by Mrs. Franklin R. Webber 2d of Boston, was made in France and imported in 1800 or earlier, but never hung. Each roll is made up of squares invisibly joined, and the thirty pieces combine to form a continuous panorama. The coloring is brown. The paper was probably printed by hand from engraved blocks, and the shading of faces, etc., added by hand. The most artistic pictorial paper known. (p. 52-54)