Literary cadet, and Saturday evening bulletin. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1826-1827, 1827-01-27

afforded him few lessons Of instruction IN the ar
of pninting But a. is too often the with the
offspring of genius, Bowman, had not OF this worlds
goods sufficient to enable him to go through
regular course of study, and was compelled, when |
vet unknown, and among strangers to seek live'i
hoo ! by that pencil which he had scarcely learned
to direct As might have heen expec'e success did
not ateId him in place like Philadelphia, where
a thousand artist. have long been established. and
Il we. rarely the case that he couli pretaii upon
individual to sit to him. and even when he did. u
was exceedingly uncertain, whether he was or was
not rewarded Driven by the chill hand of power
~ from the eegsp and renements Of the city.
he commenced the life of an tinerant. and sought
for happier condition among the towns and viii
lagos Of the interim, where he hoped that his pen
ci would be more constantly emrloyed. and more
literally rewarded. But in this he wa, disappoint-
ed;-he wa. a Of genius, nm artist ofrore merit.
and the word-a cold and unchariahle world
turned il. back 10 him-sna left genius and orth
to contend against the siorrs of edversty--to re-
ceive the peltinss of misorune--to feel the rule
rehuffs ofhaggard poverty.
artist visited the city of ofWashngton; and it was
there that he hoped to be patronzed and protected
| by those guardians of the countryside members of
| Congress-who. whilst they edify the worl d by
their speech ifcotons. and boast Of their patriot
| ism and their attachment TO our republic, and its
institutions. suffer its ospring-its giftei Of
.ong- il. artizans and its mechanics--to wnher.
| e.. \ lie b;l.t thov with ~. hot
| house culture" the outscourings Of Europe.--a
| horde OF empyrics-or pretcnders. who are driven
| from Europe, some me. for the commission of
crime--and seek on shores, resting place and
asylum, to which they not entitled either BY
| their merits or their misfortunss.
| In this, however, was the haple.s artist dsap-
poiuted. and though it he true that some few of
those grave legislator. pa'ronized him, aud re
ceived from his pencil portrai' ures which for ex
actness not often surpassed, it is equally true
that taking advantage Of his lonely situation, they
compelled him to take for his labours, one half Of
the ordinary prices, charged by ar,ssi, for such
performances
| |: was whilst in that city, that he accidentally
became acquainted with gentleman Of Alexandria
who found him, in his lonely apartment surround
ed by his paintings, with which were associated tho
too common companions Of worth--poverty, misery
and want. Though the world frowned upon him
he did not murmur, but with the phi osophy OF
a stole, supported his hard fate; and resiynng him
sefo the DEGREES of fortune, smiled the frowns Of
pepury, and hoped for better days.
| he IN yhnun bava bufor lot
and his name we should here mention were we not
aware, that by such procedure We should shock
his retiring modesty-urged him to visit Alexan-
| dria, where, he assured him, his merits would be
more generously rewarded. The invitation was
gladly accepted; and TO once a ray of joy beamed
upon his prospects, anu at disr sed the clou Of
gloom, which had so long owered upon his r.
81 Numerous citizens of Alexandria extended to him
their patronage, and such was his success that he
was emboliened to make a voyage across the At
lantc, in pursuit offortune and of fame. Although
his means scanty, he undertook the pilgrimage
without fear, and in little period found himself an
inhahitant of the" fast anchored Ise, about to en-
ter the course of competition with the ablest artists
of the age.
| On Fls ARRIVAL IN IOnuou, ne was perfect sudu
ger in that great metropolis Of the world but his
genius soon burst through the cloud Of obstacle
that surrounded him, and its lustre attracted the
attention, and called forth the admiration OF those
who were capable Of appreciating lis worth:-snd
after the lapse ofa little period, he had the grat
cation Of finding himself noticed by some Of the
ablest artists OF the day His talent, after short pc
riod attracted The attention OF of the most dis
tingushed personages ofthe realm, and in less than
year after he had first trod the soil of Britain we
find him engaged in painting for the nobility, aud
receiving the mutual patronage Of he Lori Chan.
cellor, snG General Clarkson, Of Woolbrdge-and
hi, pencil gaining for HIM reputation which few
others have had the good fortune to secure.
Hisreputation well established in Englan he
made short visit TO France and Italy, and while in
Paris, fortunately became acquainted with our
distinguished coun,rynlan Washington Irvine, who,
with that courtesy for which he is distinguished
and, melted by that attachment which he ever
evinces for citizens OF his native land, gained Mr.
Bowman to the galleries Of paintings and
academies of arts with which Paris abound.; a ID
thus enabled him to attain still greater proficiency
| I'VE state this fact, on the authority of gentle
| man, and patron of MIR. Bowman, who would n