any unpleasant happenings, we are able to fix our thoughts upon a
photograph or picture that may be there, and by studying it we are able to
imagine ourselves far, far away, in some spot where nature makes
everything pleasant and soothes us into forgetfulness of all that can
disturb our happiness. Many an invalid--many an unfortunate one is thus
made content by pictures during hours that would otherwise be wretched.
This is the result of cultivating the perceptive and imaginative
faculties, and when once this is done, we have a source of pleasure within
ourselves and not dependent on others which can never be taken from us.

[Illustration: FIG. 1.--HARP-PLAYER. _From an Egyptian painting._]

It often happens that we see two persons who do the same work and are
situated in the same way in the world who are very different in their
manner; one is light-hearted and happy, the other heavy and sad. If you
can find out the truth, it will result that the sad one is matter-of-fact,
and has no imagination--he can only think of his work and what concerns
him personally; but the merry one would surprise you if you could read his
thoughts--if you could know the distances they have passed over, and what
a vast difference there is between his thought and his work. So while it
is natural for almost every one to exclaim joyfully at the beauty of
pictures, and to enjoy looking at them simply, I wish my readers to think
of their uses also, and understand the benefits that may be derived from
them. I have only hinted at a few of these uses, but many others will
occur to you.

When pictures are composed of beautiful colors, such as we usually think
of when we speak of the art of painting, the greatest charm of pictures is
reached, and all civilized people have admired and encouraged this art. It
is true that the remains of ancient art now existing are principally those
of architecture or sculpture, yet there are a sufficient number of
pictures in color to prove how old the art of painting is.

EGYPT.

Egyptian painting is principally found on the walls of temples and tombs,
upon columns and cornices, and on small articles found in burial places.
There is no doubt that it was used as a decoration; but it was also
intended to be useful, and was so employed as to tell the history of the
country;--its wars, with their conquests and triumphs, and the lives of
the kings, and many other stories, are just as distinctly told by pictures
as by