The herald., 1837-01-30

Iced, Dut In no point dld tn0Se TWO men resemble
each other, for Raaele, conscious that he posses
sed the beauty and elegance of Adonis, was free
and agreeable In manner Canova shy and
awkward. BY his master only was Canova duly APP
preclated and often when he caught the half sup
pressed sneer the faces of his companions, Volpat-
would point cut some unexpected stroke of beauty
or vigor in the stsdens work, and say encouraging
ly Never mind them this will live when they are
forgotten"
To his students generally speaking, volpati paid
little attention at most he devoted two or three hours
each day but Canova and Rafaee were especial ia
vores, and constantly with him; they were allowed,
too, the rare privilege OF occasionally modelling and
drawing from the beautiful face OF Domenlca and
indeed Raffaelle was once heard to say that this was
the only nducement he had to spend SO much of his
time in study. These two young men could not so
constantly be in the company of the girl without i'm
bibing deeper feeling than admiration they became
rvals-riyals in love, and IN the pursuit OF fame Ra
faee whispered soft words and honcd phrases in the
malden's ear Canova, with higher sense of honor
applied to the father. Volpat himself was undecided ;
he loved Canova for his mild and anassuming man
ners but he felt that Morghen was more fitted to
win lady's love. ~
"Win and wear her." at last he said "you have
both equal pretensons and both profess love for my
child. shall propose trial of skill between you;
you shall each draw picture for which Domcnlca
shall sit, and he who succeeds best shall receive my
sanction win her affection" With this decree the
suitors appeared satisfied Canova felt modest
fdence in his own powers and Raffaelle had
OF his own for being pretty certain of success. Do
menlca herself cheese her part; she would be drawn
as the young daughter Erlschtsn who, to sOace her
fathers poverty assumed various forms, thus ena-
bling him to sell her ever and over again. She was
first sold as young slave; and no sooner was the
money paid, than she took the shape of white dove
and flew away; There was roguery in this transac-
ton that suited well Domenicas character; and the
contrast presented by the playful expression of her
face the satisfaction of Erslchon and the eager
ety Of the buyer, offered scope for clever picture;
and Raeffaelle animated by hope, bade fair to profit
by IT, But with Canova the maid was not so conde-
scending-she did not know what form she should
choose she would consider and then she altered her
mind she would be Proserpine today, and tomorrow
Hebe; and when, at last, her father insisted CIV
ing her suitors fair play and equal me she changed
her countenance often, looking now in scorn now
in sorrow, closing her eyes as in Sleep poutlng her
lips as in VACATION, that poor Canova threw down
his pencil in despair, and declared it was impossible
to pant by day her Proteus like face. "Try it at
night, then," whispered hope; and Antonio followed
the suggestion. At night he shut himself alone, and
calling upsn his memory for every feature OF the divine
face he had gazed on so long and often, he drew
never satisfying himself yet at every attempt ap-
preaching nearer the original.
ALI this time Domenica laughed to herself at the
good success of her stratagem; the good Vopatt,
who had strong secret liking for Canova, said,
"Wsll, Antonio, this will never do you must try
again."
On the appointed day, the pictures were exposed for
the judgment of the public. They were hung side by
side, and were both hidden by thick curtain, TILL the
connoiseurs OF Rome were assembled. AT last the
filled; Canova, vopatt and Rafiaelle stand
ing in front-the latter with well satisfied expression
on his face, arising from the contempt in which he
held his rivals productions Canova in a state of ner
vous anxiety which fame alone, would never have
excited. The curtains were drawn. On one side ap-
peared the daughter Of Erisichton, in gorgeous APP
pare giving her hand to her purchaser with eyes cast
down, laughing If rejoicing in her expected escape
from his clutches. On heother, Dominica, in SIM
pie white robe with garland of flowers in her hand.
The mind of her lover hadnfused portion of its own
purity into the work Of his hand. Her eyes were in
this instance too, fixed the ground but with ex-
preston of modesty that bespoke the favor of all be-
holders. Vopatti clasped Canovas hand warmly
You have done her justice" he SAID, and you alone.
The assembly agreed with the father, and the old
list quite decided the question: by saying, "Morghon
has drawn the artists daughter as slave; but Cano
va has represented goddess IN the artists daughter"
They went home; but when Volpatu led Canova
up TO Dominica, and desired her to look Antonio
her future husband, the girls cheek turned very pale
and her eyes filled with tears which wounded the very
heart of her lover. But she became calm, and from
that time TO ward showed no token OF dislike 10 him.
The truth was, that with wicked wit al will the girl
loved and revcrenced her father and when once he
had issued his positive command she was deterRined
to obey it in the best of her power Once, and once
only did she give way TO the feelings of proud heart
and wounded spirit II was on the eve Of her nup-
taIs she seated in verandah behind the house
ana kdffde ieantu over HtIs he DeQgtu lnis
teriew so passonately that she could not refuse IT,
Was il not the last THE last!-Alas! the power of
these two little words!
"If he were any thing but such very out" said
Morghen, methinks should not so much gneve;
but to sacrifice you to such he Domenica-the head
Of an ass on porcupine's shouldersl
"Nay," replied Domencia, "yos may spare him
more and yet there will be room enough 10 blame.
Nv father says he is clever; would he less SO,
and more like thee, Raffaelle. He cannot speak to
me without stammering, and when he attempts to
look with loving eyes ye gsds! Rafaelle dldst ever
see a cat eyclng a mouse after two days fast.
But thou Donencla, thou art toe patient IN en-
duranco; wherefore not tell him at once that he IS a
chur, and that thou canst not abide him.!
"Nay, Morghen, my fathers commands are deer
sivc and l. for whom alone he lives will never be the
child 10 wound him. I will obey him in the spirit
the lctter-nevcr shall Antonio know nay opinion of
him, and when am marred | will do my best to
please him Ifhe were butless sunmannerly-why he
has less of gsniiiezzu than yon bakers msn-dost
him Raiaele, leaning over the low pararet wall
lie comes every evening to court my maid Barbara I;
he waits for her there and when she comes II -, 10
Kiss my pretty one and thou shalt have three
cakes for thy supper 10 thy masters one. So Ca.
nova seems 10 smile again Domenca, and thou
may 90 down 10 posieriiy rs very Venus. They
say he was once peasant IN Bassano; would he had
renamed sow
"woula he had LADY, answered the bakers man,
as turning round 10 the verandah, he removed his
sIouched hat, and showed them the features OF Ca
nova
Would he had, indeed, lady The had escaped the
agony Of hearing this bitter mockery from one who