This dismal expanse was broken by four lithographic portraits, votive offerings of a thoughtful publisher.

The portraits were of good and great men, kind men; men who loved children.

Their faces were noble and benevolent.

But the lithographs offered the only rest for the eyes of children fatigued by the everlasting sameness of the schoolroom.

Long day after long day, interminable week in and interminable week out, vast month on vast month, the pupils sat with those four portraits beaming kindness down upon them.