The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-01-08
MHSCELLANEOUS.
From Chambers Edinburgh Journal.
T Ii u N K NOW PAINT r.


One beautiful summer morning, about thu
year 1880, several youths of Seville approached
the dwelling of the celebrated painter Murillo
where they arrived nearly ne the same time
After the usual salurations. they entered the
studio. Murillo not yet there and each o
the pupils walked mp quickly to his easel to
anime if the paint had dried, or perhaps admire
his work Of the previous evening.
MendeZ, with a careless air, approached hi:
easel, when exclamation of astouIshmenl es
capped him. and he gnzed in mute surprise OF
his canvass, on which was roughly skerched
most beautiful head of the Virgin but the ex
preston was so admirable, the lines so clear
the contour so graceful, that compared with lht
figures by which it was encircled, il seemed n.
IL some heavenly visitant had descended among
them.
'Ah what is the matter g said rough
voice. The pupils turned at the sound, AN,
all made respectful obeisance to the great mas
ter.
Look, Senior Murillo, look = exclaimed the
youths, as Nh ~ pointed TO the easel OF Mendez
Who has painted this-who has painted thi
bend gentlemen o. asked MurilIo, eagerly. -
Speak, tell me- He who has >ketrhed thi
Virgin will one day he the master of us all
MurrIlo wishes he hal dome il. What touch
wlat dricary what skill Mendez, my dea
pupil, was it you 2
mo, Senor,' replied Mendez, in a sorrowfI
tone.
Was it you, then, Isturitz, or Ferdinand, OF
Carlos =
But they all gave the same reply rs Mendez
8 1t could NOT, however come here without
hands, said MurilIo, inpatiently.
This il certainly curious affuP, gentlemen,
observed hnro but shall soon learn who
is This nightly ,i>itant. Srha~ioin, he contiuu
Ell, addressing Iinle muIartn boy about four
teen years old, who appeared M his CALL did
not desire you to sleep here every night g
Yes, MASTER said the boy, with timitlity.
And have you done SO 2
'Yes, master
Speak, ;hen, who was here last night and
this morning before these gentlemen came =
Speak, slave, ar III make you acquainted with
my dungeon, said MprilIo angriIy to the boy,
who continued to twist the band OF his trowsurs
without replying.
All, you don't choose tn answer said NnriI-
10. pulling his ear.
No one mnsrer, no one,' replied the trem-
bling Sebastian with eargernPss.
'That is false exclaimed MurilIo.
No oHe but me, swear 10 YOU, master ,
cried the uuntio, thro wing himself on bis knees
IN the middle of the studio, and no ding ont his
lirtIe hands in supplication before his muster.
Listen 10 me- pursued Muriiio. wish to
know who has sketched this head of the Virgin
and all the figures which nv pupils find every
morning here on coming to the studio. This
night, in place of going to bed, You shall keep
watch and if by 70 morrow you do not discov
er who the culprt is, you shall have twenty-five
strokes from the lash. You hear-I have said
it now 60 and grind the colors and you, gen
temen, to work"
1t was night. and the studio of MuriIlo the
most celebrated painter in Seville this studio
which during the DAY was cheerful and ami
mated, was no silent the grave single
lamp burned upon Il marble table, and n young
boy, whose sable hue harmonized with the sur
rounding darkness, but whose eyes sparkled like
diamonds Mt miduight, eant against An easel.-
Twenty five lashes Tomorrow If do not tell
who sketehed these figures, and perhaps more
IT do. Oh my God, come to my aid = and the
little mulatto threw himself upon the mat which
served him for bed, where he soon fell fast u.
sleep.
Sebastian awoke Mt day break, it was only
three O'Clock any other boy would probably
have gone to sleep ngniu; NOT so, Sebastian
who had but three hours he could call his
own
Courage, courage, Sebasian,' he excl aimed
as he shook himself awake, three hours are
thne-only three hours then profit by them !;
the rest belong TO thy masrer-slave. Let me
at least be my master for three short hours.
To begin, these figures must he effaced,' and
Selling brush, he approached the Virgin,
which, viewed nv the soft light OF the morning
dawn, appeared more beautiful than ever.
Etfhce this y he exclaimed, efface this -
No, will die first E.fface this-they dare NOT
neither dare /. No-thar hea,l-she breathes
she speaks-it seems as If her blood would
now ~ should offer to etfacc IL, and that
should he her murderer. No no, no. rather let
finish t.'
scarcely had he uttered these words, when
selzing palette, he seated himself nj the easel
and was soon totally absorbed iu his occupation
Hour after hour passed UNDECIDED by Sebastian,
who was too much engrossed by the beauifui
creature Of his pencil, which seemed BURSTING
into life, TO mark the flight of time. Another
touch lIe exclaimed, a soft shade here-now
the mouth. Yes, there IL opens those ewes
they pierce me through what a forehead g.
what delicacy! Oh my heautiful--" and
Sebastian forgot the hour, forgot he was slave,
forgot his dreaded punishment-alI, all was oh
literared from the soul of the youthful artist,
who thought of nothing, but his beautiful pic
ture.
But who can describe the horror and conster
nation OF the unhappy slave, when, on sudden
turninU h. k.b H1Ia