Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1827-04-07

INNocENl MIsTAREs.-Thcrc is delic-
ious breadth Of absurdity in the following
story, which is told too with an appropriate
and commendable simplicity. The Face
tiW Of Iiicrocles contains nothing more
rich.
The painter Vcrnct relates, that some
body had once employed him to paint Il
landscape, with cave, and st. Jerome i'll
it. He accordingly painted the landscape,
with St. Jerome in the entrance. But
when he delivered the picture, the purchas-
or, who understood nothing of a perspec-
tive, said, The landscape and the cave
are well made, but St. Jel ONE is not in the
cave" 81 understand you Sir" replied
Vcrnet, 81 will alter it." He then took
the painting, and made the shade darker,
so that the Saint seemed to sit further in.
The gentleman took the painting, and it
again appeared to him that the saint was
not in the cave. Vernet then wiped out the
| figure, and gave it TO the gentleman, who
seemed perfectly satisfied Whenever he
saw strangers, to whom he showed the pic
ture, he said, Here you see a picture, by
Nernet, with St. Jerome in his cave."-
But we do not see the Saint" replied
the visitors. "Excuse me, gentlemen" I"
answered the owner, che is therefor I
have seen him standing at the entrance,
and afterwards further back-and there
fore am quite sure that he is in it,"
Old Ashley, piqued himself extreme
ly on suffering no imposition of any kind to
be practised on the public in his Theatre.
Having ordered a drop-scene to be paint
cd representing temple, he was, on ex-
amning the performance, scandaliZed by
observing that his artist had shortened the
pillars in the back ground-in fact, that ev-
cry pillar was SO much the shorter as il
was farther removed from the eye of the
spectator. Having called the painter to
account for this, in his Judgment, strange
irregufarity, and being assured that the
rules Of perspective required it, he indig-
nanily replied, "Don't talk to me, Sir, o.
pcrspcctiye-I know nothing of the rules
Of porspectiyc; but | know the foot rule,
and know by it that these pillars are no.
all Of length, as pillars in temples, or
what is tho same thing, churches, always
are; and | wont have the public imposed
on or dcirauded OF full measure Of their
pillars. They pay their money at the door
~ sec pilidiS III my ulop-SCtuc, anu tHey
shall have good measure for their money,
or, u1y name is not Ashley. Make them
all of size, Sir, as bid you, or will find
some one else that will" The painter did
as he was commanded, and all the pillars
were painted of such equal measure that
the public had no reason to complain OF
any deception; it was the most candid of
drop-scencs-thcre was no delusion in it.
Another time, the same worthy, seeing the
trombonc-playcr in the orchestra doing
nothing but patting the music desk with his
forcfnger, while the rest Of his brethren
were scraping and blowing away as iftheir
lives and souls depended on it, he asked him
angriy, Pray, Sir, what is the meaning
of this neglect-why are not you doing
your duty like the rest Of the band" Sir,
said the man, there is a pause for my in
strument, and am counting the bars"
Counting the bars!' roared Ashley; why,
don't pay youto come and sit here, coua-
ting bars pay you to play to the public;
and if you don't play on tins instant, Ill
discharge you tomorrow morning. TIC
public shant be imposed ON in my house.
They don't pay at tho door to see music
ians counting bars, but to hear them play
ing notes.