Questions to arouse interest. How many of you have read Evangeline by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow? Why do you suppose this picture is so named? Describe the Evangeline in this picture—her appearance, expression, and surroundings. Where do you think she is going? why? How many of you think she is coming home from church? why? Describe the house near the road; the people you see. What can you say of the perspective of this road? What impression does this picture give you—one of peace, plenty, quiet, or the reverse, and why?

The story of the picture. In illustrating Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem Evangeline, Mr. Taylor has chosen to represent the heroine during the happiest part of her life, and before anything very exciting or at all strange began to happen, unless, perhaps, we feel that it is strange and wonderful that there should be such a little village as Grand-PrÉ, where Evangeline lived. History tells us that such a village did exist in Acadie—or Nova Scotia, Canada, as we call it now. The French and English had quarreled bitterly over this island, for each wanted possession of its fisheries. The English claimed the territory by right of discovery, and they finally secured possession of it.

Most of the people living there were French and had been given the privilege of leaving within two years. Though they desired to remain, yet they refused to take the oath of allegiance, and their oath of fidelity to the British king was accepted instead. They were exempted from bearing arms against their own countrymen, allowed to enjoy their religion, to have magistrates of their own selection, and, in fact, they had been permitted to do about as they pleased. Each man owned his farm and his stock, and all that goes to make a life of usefulness as well as of plenty and content.

Mr. Longfellow tells us:

How carefully Mr. Taylor studied all these details is shown by the way he represents the main street of the little village of Grand-PrÉ. How much more picturesque these thatched-roofed houses are than some of our more costly and elaborate modern homes! A roof made of simple framework, however, covered with thick layers of skillfully arranged straw or reeds, called thatch, does not seem very practicable to us in these days.

It is not difficult to determine who is the center of interest in this picture. We recognize Evangeline with her white Normandy cap, her kirtle or short jacket with its flowing sleeves, and we can even distinguish her beads. Her missal, or Roman Catholic mass book, is clasped in both hands as she passes quietly down the street, and the expression in her face is one of perfect peace and happiness.

She has passed the group of visiting women, as well as the two men standing by the gate who have turned to look after her. We know that she has greeted them all pleasantly, if a bit absently, and it is plain that she has now forgotten them again in the absorption of her mind.

Although the picture does not even suggest the strange and adventurous future before her, still it is all the more pleasing because it gives us a glimpse of Evangeline in the hour of peace and happiness. We are made to feel the secret of the reserve strength of our heroine who, thus fortified, will be equal to all that must befall her. We shall wish to read again Mr. Longfellow’s poem Evangeline.

According to the story, Evangeline keeps house for her father, who is known as the wealthiest farmer of Grand-PrÉ. He is well on in years, genial, kindly, always looking on the bright side of life, and his home is known far and wide for its hospitality and cheer. The house is out a little way from the village and is built on the side of a hill, so that it commands a fine view of the ocean. Meadows, orchards, great barns with their dovecotes, beehives, a well with its moss-grown bucket, weathercocks, and sheepfolds complete the picture.

One of the farmer’s best friends is Basil, the blacksmith, who is a much honored man in the village. He has one son, Gabriel. Evangeline and Gabriel have played together as children, have grown up together, and now they are engaged to be married. Already the contract is signed, the dower of the bride in flocks of sheep and in cattle has been determined, and all is ready for the wedding feast.

But their wedding is almost forgotten because of the terrible events which prevent it. For several days a fleet of English ships has been observed approaching the harbor with their guns pointed toward the peaceful little village of Grand-PrÉ. On the very day set for the wedding, the English soldiers land and demand the surrender of all their arms in the name of the king. All the men are commanded to assemble in the meetinghouse at noon of that day. The people drive in from all the country around, a happy, care-free crowd, thinking that, since they have harmed no one, no harm can come to them.

But once in the meetinghouse the soldiers lock and bolt the door while the commander reads the king’s proclamation from the pulpit. It is terrible beyond all belief, for it not only commands that they forfeit all their lands, dwellings, and cattle to the crown, but that they and their families shall be transported to other lands. A great cry arises, and all the men rush to the doorway. But there is no means of escape, for the soldiers are well armed and prepared.

Then Basil the blacksmith calls upon them all to resist and is promptly felled by a soldier. All is angry commotion when the door of the chancel opens and Father Felician, whom all revere, stands before them commanding their silence. He appeals to their faith, and their reverence for the house of God, and by his wise counsel succeeds in quieting his people. Meanwhile the women wait outside in the churchyard, fearful when the tumult is greatest but reassured when all is quiet again. Hour after hour passes by and still they wait.

At length the door of the meetinghouse opens and a soldier appears. Again the fearful proclamation is read. Then the women are commanded to pack their household goods and be ready for sailing on the fifth day.

Now indeed a great cry of distress arises, echoed by the men, who are still held prisoners. Then, in obedience to a second command, the women depart for their homes. With heavy hearts they begin their packing. Evangeline, left alone without father or lover, looks at the table set for the wedding feast and at all the signs of rejoicing, then softly goes back to the meetinghouse. There she calls Gabriel by name several times but receives no answer.

On the fifth day all is ready. The great wains empty their loads on the shore, and the women and children are waiting. At last, at a signal, the church door is thrown open and the prisoners march to the boats. Then comes the most terrible part of all. In their haste the soldiers separate families, placing some members in one ship, some in another.

Gabriel and his father are placed in different ships, while Evangeline and her father remain on the shore awaiting the last boat. And then comes the fearful sight of their homes and barns in flames, and the utter destruction of the village.

The horror and injustice of it all are too great for Evangeline’s father, who dies there upon the shore. Evangeline, left thus alone and crushed by her sorrow, scarce knows when she is led into the ship or when the ships depart.

Many days pass before the people are landed on a foreign shore. Then the first thought of all is to seek relatives and friends.

The rest of the story tells of Evangeline’s long search for Gabriel and her many discouragements as she follows this rumor and that. The priest, Father Felician, goes with her on the journey, encouraging and helping her.

Once Gabriel and Evangeline pass each other on the water, but it is during the night and neither is aware that the other is so near. Gabriel finds his father but, restless and unhappy, he does not remain with him long. And so it happens that when Evangeline at length finds Basil the blacksmith, Gabriel is not with him. He had left just the day before. So Basil sets out with Evangeline in search of his son.

After years of patience and perseverance, rewarded only by failure, Evangeline ceases her wandering and becomes a nurse. And then it is she finds Gabriel, on his deathbed.

It is a sad but beautiful story, and it is all founded on facts. Not only was there such a village as Grand-PrÉ with just such people living in it, but it is also true that in 1755 King George II of England sent his fleet to scatter them among the other British provinces. He believed that these people aided the Indians and, because of the almost independent character of the colony, embarrassed the local government.

As we read the story we cannot but be glad that Mr. Taylor chose the Evangeline of the happy days of Grand-PrÉ, rather than any other picture of her that he might have shown us.

The soft tones in the picture are especially pleasing, as well as the few strong notes of color in the dresses and the houses. The perspective of the road is made interesting by the figures in it, as well as by the houses and trees on each side. Note the difference in size of the various figures according to their distance. This makes the road appear longer and more winding.

Questions to help the pupil understand the picture. Where did Evangeline live? Describe the village of Grand-PrÉ. Of what nationality were most of the people? How did they happen to be under English rule? What special privileges were they given? Who was the British king at the time of this story? Why did he wish to dispose of the Acadians? How did he do this? What became of the village? of the houses? of the people? their cattle, horses, sheep? Who was Evangeline? Gabriel? Basil the blacksmith? What event was to take place the day the king’s proclamation was read? Where was the proclamation read? What effect did it have upon the men? upon the women? What part of the story is represented in the picture? If you were to draw just one picture from this story, which would you choose? why?

The story of the artist. As in the case of so many of our living artists, we know very little of the details of Mr. Taylor’s life. We do know that William Ladd Taylor was born at Grafton, Massachusetts, December 10, 1854, and that most of his education was received at Worcester, Massachusetts. He attended art schools in Boston and New York, and studied one year in Paris, France. He has traveled extensively, making a special study of mediÆval architecture, costumes, and customs.

Owing to ill health, Mr. Taylor spent a year in Colorado, which proved most beneficial. There he produced several paintings, two of the best known being “The Caribou Hunter” and “Shooting the Rapids.” Mr. Taylor has lived most of his life in or near Boston.

He has painted a series of pictures representing nineteenth-century New England; a series of pictures of the pioneer West; and the Longfellow series, including “Evangeline,” “Minnehaha and Hiawatha,” “The Village Blacksmith,” “The Hanging of the Crane,” “Maidenhood,” “The Old Clock on the Stairs,” “The Building of the Ship,” “Priscilla and John Alden,” “The Children’s Hour,” and others. Other paintings are the Psalm Series; Old Song Series; Our Home and Country, a book of pictures of American life; “The Earl’s Return,” illustrating Owen Meredith’s poem; and “Rosita,” illustrating Bret Harte’s The Mystery of the Hacienda.

Questions about the artist. Who painted this picture? Where was he born? What education did he receive? Name some of his best paintings.