The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1825-11-30
.Raecaotes of distinguished Persons.

.fhecdoteS OF distinguished PERSONS.
Quntin Mastys, the celebrated FIem-
ish painter, was bred blacksmith
The occasion of bis changing his profess
sion was as follows While pursuing
his calling as blacksmith. he fell in
love with daughter of painter, and
on applying TO the father for leave to
marry her, he received the repulsive
answer, that none but an artist should
ever receive her at his hands. Piqued
at this reply, he laid aside his hammer
and took up the pencil, studied diligent-
ly, travelled into italy, and in short
time returned TO Antwerp, aud entering
the Cathedral privately, he painted
upon a picture of the Fallen Angels by
Frans. Flore, large fly. as in the act Of
settling on the thigh Of one of the an
gels. The father Of the young lady
with whom he was enamored had the
charge of the pictures of the church,
and on coming in some time after, saw
the intrusive insect, took out his hand
kerchief,apd attempted to brush it of.
Astonished at the deception, he inquired
for The author, and hearing that it was
Mastys, he sent for him, and freely gave
his consent TO the desired union with his
daughter. This picture, with the paint
ed fly, is still to be seen in the Museum
at Antwerp.
Handel, being at Haerlem, visited
the great church, which contains the
most celebrated organ in the world.
He was admitted, without the knowl-
edge ofthe organist, to that instrument,
and, commenced, with the most surpris-
ing effect, piece of harmony, in one
passage of which there was a certain
chord or combination of notes, that re-
quire such keys TO be touched, as could
no; possibly be commanded simultane-
ousIy by the finger. The organist en-
tered accidentally during the execution
of this passage, a1d, struck with aston
ishment, declared, that the performer
was human being, it must be Handel
II afterwards appeared, that, in addition
TO the use of his fingers, this great mu-
steal genius had brought out The an
possible note by striking the key with his
nose !
The Burmese Imperial State Car
rage, which was captured at an early
period of the present sanguinary Indian
war, has reached England, and is pre-
pairing for a public exhibition at the
Egyptian Hall, London. 1t is, without
exception, one of the most splendid
works Of art that has ever been pro-
duced, presenting an entire blaze of
gold, silver, and precious stones. Of
the latter, the number must amount to
many thousands, comprehending dia-
monds, rubies, sapphires, white and blue,
emeralds, amethysts, garnets, topazes,
ca;s'-eyes, crystals, sc. The carving
is Of a .ery superior description the
form and construction of the vehicle ex-
tracrdinary and the general taste dis
PLAYED throughout the whole design is
at once so grand and imposing, yet at
the same time SO chaste and refined, as
TO defy all rivalry even from European
workmanship. The warlike power and
resources of this surprising people are
at present exciting universal astonish-
meGt and attention. This new object
attests the fact, that, for taste in design
and skill in the execution of works of
art, their talents have been no less hid
den and unknown to us. The carriage
stands between twenty and thirty feet
in height, and is drawn by elephants.
.ackerman's Repository.
A Scholar of DR.. Busby's coming in
to parlor where the Doctor had laid
down fine bunch of grapes for his own
eating, takes it up and says aloud, 81
publish the banns between these grapes
and my mouth if any one knows any
just cause or impeachment why these
two should not be joined together, let
him declare it," The Doctor, being
but in the next room, overheard all that
was said and coming into the school,
he ordered the boy who bad eaten the
grapes to be taken up, or, as it is called,
horssd on another boys back but before
he proceeded TO the usual discipline, he
cried out aloud as the delinquent had
done. g publish the banns between my
rod and this boys breech. If any one
knows any just cause or impediment why
these two should not be joined, let him
declare it," 81 forbid the banns,'' cried
the boy. "Why SO p said the Doctor.
"Because the parties are not agreed"
replied the boy. (Which answer so
pleased the Doctor, who liked to find
any readiness of wit in his scholars,
that he ordered the boy TO be set down.
An Irish gentleman going to the post
Office short time since, inquired if
there were any letters for him. HYour