The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1832-08-28
From the fPhiladelphia) Saturday Courier.
THE PORTRAIT.
A SKETCH.


Yes at last was fairly in love end
with what3 A portrait but such a
one
The exhibition had only just opened ;
l had gone to see it on the third day,
and scarcely had ! advanced a dozen
PAGES into the grand room, when felt
myself riveted to the spot. "What's
the matter 2" inquired Armstrong.
heard him, but felt as if the faculties Of
speech were suspended. He repeated
the question, but to no purpose. Are
you dreaming I" at length he ex-
claimed" What is the matter with
you r.
Do you know the original of that
portrait !" inquired I.
"No."
Look at the number in the book
Well, what says it 7"
Portrait Of n young lady, by E. F."
And who is E. F 7"
"I know not"
"A plague upon all initials" exclaim-
ed 81 would give the world to
know the name Of the artist"
"I'll try and end him out for you, my
boy" rejoined the kindest-hearted fellow
in Dublin.
"Oh, there are tones and looks that dart
An instant sunshine through the heart;
As if the soul that minute caught
Some treasure it through life had sought;
Az if the very lips and eyes
| Predestined TO have all our sighs,
| And never be forgot again,
4 Sparhled and smoke before uS then y"
repeated / to myself, as I stood gazing
upon the voiceless, sightless picture
Twas full-length--a front view, in
the attitude Of advancing--a maid of
auburn tresses the complexion fair
the eyes, deep blue the lips--carna-
tons slightly apart, as though the
sweet breath were issuing through them
the bosom delicately full-yeiled by a
kerchief Of gauze, all but one spot OF
dazzling whiteness {; the waist. tapering
to the critical point, beyond which firm
ness and grace take leave Of tenuity,
and from the zone of which the lines o {
the lower part of the figure flowed out
wards and downwarjs in curve Of no.
BILE richness an ankle and an instep,
like the rest--symmetry The arms
which were bare from something moro
than half way above the elbows-were
beautiful her right hand was covered
with glove, and held another, leaving
her left one the voucher Of "a virgin palm
No ring was on the finger.
""Tis time to co." said Armstrong,
slapping me on the shoulder +" the ex-
hibtion closes at four"
Three hours had l been poring upon
lit -" Four |" exclaimed 1.
1t wants but ten minutes oft"
| "And have you found out the art.
list 7"
) "No."
l Not day did miss the Exhibition
As soon as entered the room / took
my seat before the portrait, and there
remained till every one else was gone
No doubt was the object Of frequent
remark. I often heard whispering
near me. Sometimes caught glimpse
of smile, suddenly suppressed. On
one occasion seemed to give no small
umbrage to a gentleman who stood in
front Of me. A lady was leaning on his
arm. had heard Sigh 80 deep, that,
in spite C. my absorption, it attracted
my notice. Withdrew my eyes from
the portrait, and they fell on tho lady,
who was in the act Of turning away /;
but encountered the gaze of her COM
panion. whose countcnance betrayed an
depression Of mingled impatience and
RESENTMENT, 80 strong, that my own be-
gan to lour, and was on the point OF
stnrting from my chair, when he looked
another way, and conducted his COM
panion to the opposite side of the room.
She wore clonk, and was vciled.
was surprised at the incident. 1 never
AFTER entered tho Exhibition without
looking about for the gentleman and his
fair friend, but ! never met them there
sgain.
80
Hang the Exhibition I" exclaimed
.