BIOGRAPHICAL STORIES.
P. 14.—This picture, West declared sixty-seven years after it was painted, contained some touches that he never surpassed.
P. 15.—“Camera-obscura,” cămˈe-ra obˌscūˈra. Literally, a dark chamber.
P. 16.—“Parma.” A province in the north of Italy.
“Death of Wolfe.” This picture contained one feature which at that period was entirely new. West used costumes in his picture which were appropriate to the time and character. Before this the classical costume was used on all occasions. It is said that Sir Joshua Reynolds, the president of the royal academy before West, tried to dissuade him from this innovation, but was the first to acknowledge his success.
P. 24.—“Gulliver,” gŭlˈli-ver. The hero of a satire, “Gulliver’s Travels,” by Swift. He is represented first as a surgeon, and then as captain of several ships. He takes voyages, during which he discovers many strange countries, among them the country of the Lilliputs (lĭlˈli-pŭt), a race of little men.
P. 29.—“Uttoxeter,” ŭksˈe-ter.
P. 34.—“Merry-Andrew.” One whose business it is to make sport for others—a clown, a court fool.
P. 68.—“Oxenstiern,” ŏksˌen-steernˈ.
P. 70.—“Lutzen,” lootˈseen. A town of Prussia.
P. 72.—“Muscovy,” musˈco-vy. The former name of Russia.