Page:Sarah Sheppard - L. E. L.pdf/18

 room would cause her to start up, utter an exclamation of deep emotion, and then diverge from the previous topic into some discussion "most musical and sweet." Her own idea and feeling with regard to music were precisely those which she has expressed in one of her prose works: "We would liken music to Aladdin's lamp,—worthless in itself; not so for the spirits which obey its call. We love it for the buried hopes, the garnered memories, the tender feelings it can summon with a touch." As for painting, it was impossible that its combinations should not be duly appreciated by one whose own taste was exquisitely picturesque, using that term in its artistic rather than in its sometimes more romantic application. How did pictures ever seem to speak to her soul! how would she seize on some interesting characteristic in the painting or engraving before her, and inspire it with new life, till that pictured scene spread before you in bright association with some touching history or spirit-stirring poem! L. E. L.'s appreciation of painting, like that of music, was intellectual rather than mechanical,—belonging to the combinations rather than to the details; she loved the poetical effects and suggestive influences of the Arts, although caring not for their mere technicalities, While poetical genius shone as the central sun of Miss Landon's character, in the correct judgment, the refined taste and delicate feeling emanating from this source were found the elements of that true and kindly appreciation which, like the due proportion of light for paintings, not only attests its own high origin, but confers additional charms on the objects upon which it rests. L. E. L.'s faculty of appreciation was peculiarly keen sighted and deep-toned. It was a source of great enjoyment to herself, and often gave sincere pleasure to others. No merit, beauty or excellence in a work ever escaped her, notice. Very often her remarks, as she read or recited any passage, would throw a new light upon what previously might have been to her hearers a hidden meaning; or enhance the value of what had been even frequently read and admired. As a precious stone fallen among less valuable things might be passed by, without