BACHELDER'S DIORAMA OF THE APOCALYPSE.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 562, 2 October 1869, Page 2

BACHELDER'S DIORAMA OF THE APOCALYPSE.

In an artistic point of view, Bachelder's Diorama in illustration of the Apocalypse is infinitely superior to Bachelder's Tableaux of Milton's " Paradise Lost." In a " sentimental " point of view it is also several '' shades " less objectionable. Without going into details, or affecting the '* wondrous wise " on the subject of which it treats, or on the way in which it is treated, we may say that, as shown in Westport on Thursday evening, manj' of the pictures elicited warm applause. And it was applause which was well-deserved. There is really a great deal in them which everyone must admire. There is nothing in them whi.h anyone could condemn. Only in a few of the pictures are there features which may be said to be repugnant to the ordinary feelings of humanity —of all humanity, we hope, save Pagans. Both the painting and the exhibition of them are illustrations of that American idiosyneracy which, iD matters spiiitual and in matters temporal, occasionally startles—• sometimes shocks—tho world. Of course the ratio of this repugnancy, in indivi :ual cases, depends upon the reverential turn of the spectator's mind. A very good illustration of how far false delicacy may be carried was given during tile exhibition of the tableaux of " Paradise Lost" on Wednesday evening. One of the spectators was a lady wh :m the public, no doubt, viiely traduce when they give her the name —as" they do —of "Dirty Alary." Mary was a silent and probably approving spectator of the first part of the programme, but when Adam and Eve were represented, as they are, in all their native innocence and absence of wardrobe in the Garden of Eden, she became so demonstrative in her criticisms that it was found necessary to show her to the door. " Shame on yiz," said Mary ; " wud yo show the like o'that to the childcr!" was evidently incapable of realising anything of Adam and Eve's feelings before the Fall, and there are a good many who, like Mary, have " fallen " feelings of very rare refinement. Others are not so apt to "strain at knats," and to these the exhibition may be one of unmixed enjoyment. But of the whole entertainment, evidently the most popular part is the distribution of gifts, which aro real good substantial gifts, worthy of all the little excitement which is evinced—especially by the fair sex—-as to their possession. Some hypercritical people, however, see evil even in that part of the entertainment. They argue that it is calculated to excite Covetousness, Envy, and other deeply depraved pas - sions. Our reporter pities these people. For himself lie can say that he saw, without tho slightest sensation of jealousy, a gentleman in the disguise of a digger receiving c handsome lady's reticule, and with equal complacency he saw another gentleman who is in the habit of signing his name thus t <■'«: me iiiinuppv recipient ot a writing-desk and a stock of stationery. He will go with the same sublime indifference this evening to see a silver-cased hunting watch and thirty other prizes given away.