Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-11-23
SCHMITZ, TIE ENGRAVER.
A TRUE STORY


SCHMITZ, TIE ENGRAVER.
TRUE STORY.
Professor Krahe, superintendent of the
Gallery of Paintings IN the city of Dussel.
dorf, on he Rhine, was seat ed one morning
IN his study, when servant informed him
that a young man wished to see him -
SHOW him hi,her," said The professor.
Accordingly, 10 a few minutes. lad of
seventeen or eighteen years Of age was
introduced by the servant into the study,
Seeing the dress of his vlslter to be that OF
a baker, the professor imagined HIN to
have brought a bread bill, and was about
to refer the matter to bis lady, when some,
thing striking in the youths countenance
and manner made him hesitate until the
business was announced. When appa.
ren,Iy about to speak, however, the lad
hesitated, and cast his eyes on the ground.
"Wha' is it you want with me, my lad ?"
said Krahe 10 kind tone. IL have a
book, sir" replied the youth, drawing one
at the same time from his breast, (Which
wish you to look at, and TOTO buy, il it
should please you"
The professor took the preferred book
lnlO HIS uuUu, uuu IDuuN ~ W Uc an llluTnl
mated prayer book, or one ornamen,ed.
according TO the ancient fashion, with a
number of colored figures and engravInps
| The skill Of the examiner told him at once
| hat he book was copy of an edition
which the Elector Clement Augustus, OF
| Cologne, had ordered to be thrown IF, and
| which had become very scarce and valua,
Bile. But there was more IN the work
before him than the professor imagined.
"Where did you procure this, my lad ?"
said he to the young baker. ut Is a copy
from one which was borrowed" said the
youth, looking down. mot an original -
SAID the professor, turning over the leaves
again land by whom was this copy exc
culed? ?" The youth bushed modesrly as
he replied, by myself" Krahe gazed on
the lad with surprise, and then. turning TO
a book case, took down an original volume
of the Electors edition, with which he
compared the copy brought by the bakers
boy. TIE dIffe ence was scarcely d!stin.
gushable.
"Young man." exclaimed the professor
why do You pursue the trade which vorl
dress betokens, when you are so well fiji et
|
youth replied, "that 1t was his perpetual
his dearest wish; bot that his father, hav.
ing a numerous family, could not aff,rd the
expense OF suitable instruction. ] knew
your love of ar. and this embolened me tC
make an application to you, in the hope
that you might purchase the copy ant
honor me with your counsel and assistance.
The modesty and cultivation apparent il
the young bakers manner, charmed III,
superintendent OF paintings, and confirmed
the impression made BY the bcanlIfu
prayer book. "Call on me here Tomorrow
without fail" SAID The professor empha'i
caIy, grasplng the youths hand and sha
krg it warmly, as he led him To the door
Early next morning, Mr.. Krahe was OF
his way to the house of friend who resi-
ded some miles from Dusseldorf Tai
gentleman was blessed with abundan
wealth, much of which he generously ex
pended in an enlightened patronage OF tn
fine arts and their cullva'ors. Krah
knew this well, and told him The story O
the bakers lad, showing him at the sam
time the illuminated prayer. book. Tn
gentleman was astonlshed and dellghte'
with the style Ct the engraving. "Wha
can | do to assist that wonderful boy !?
This was the question The professor wshe
and anticipated. LEND him two hundre
Gowns to continue his studies, and bav
no doubt he Will become one of the mos
distinguished engravers of the day. An
myself, VIII be his security for the repay
ment." HE shall have three hlndre
crowns" said the gentleman. land wi
have no security" Pleased with his sue
cess, the professor returned to Dusseldorf
Young SchmlrZ, as the bakers lad wa
named could have fallen at the feet of NJ
Krahe, when the latter produced The mean
of Iberalng him from The oven, and G
pursuing his iavorte studies. Under tn
professors auspices Schml'z was 500
prosecuting the science of geometry an
drawing. besides storing his mind VII
other elements of liberal educal ion, Fo
two years he continued his studies ass
duously in Dusseldorf, and made such rapl
progress that Professor Krahe saw tn
place could afford his pro'egee no farlhe
instruction, and advised him to proceed I
Paris. Scbmllz of course followed h
beneiaclor's advice, With letter of IL
' PRODUCTION to NJ. Wiles celebrated el
lgraver in the French metropolis, and ii