Page:A tribute to W. W. Corcoran, of Washington City (IA tributetowwcorco00boul).pdf/72

 the pleasant little title that greets the eye, and gives a coquettish interpretation to the charming picture. At the side of an old stone well whose sides are rent, and upon which a tiny vine creeps upward from the base, stands a beautiful peasant girl. She is leaning against a high wall, that allows only a portion of her pretty uncovered head to rise above its gray altitude. How bewitching her costume, with its variety of color, her snowy chemisette blouse giving a softness to the attire, and adding not a little beauty to the bright winsome face! There is a look of sweet surprise and innocence in her eyes as she rests her arm upon the bucket, and listens to a mysterious voice, be it the music of the rill, a fairy whispering out the depths of the well, or a little bird, hidden from view, singing a delicious lovesong. She is entirely unconscious of any one's presence or approach, nor does she stir, herself, for see how firmly her bare feet press the ground! But we, whilst gazing at her "blissful ignorance," observe just beyond the wall the peering face of a gay young cavalier, who has stolen softly nigh with tread as velvety as his grand dress coat. He leans in dangerous proximity to the beauteous maid. She is captured beyond doubt in one sense, for his arm affords a sort of frame to her glossy hair so neatly braided, and his lips are also very near, making the music that has brought her to such a pleasant thraldom. To our eye this is very engaging, and the result should bring about mutual joy, and yet we have a feeling of mistrust and pity. The favorable termination is quite as far off as the castle, which, embowered in trees in the distance, tells of high born hopes and destiny, and has nought to do with the pretty maid, except to lend a voice for the moment to whisper sweet things beside the well. No.41. Rebecca, by Rossiter. An exceedingly attractive picture of the