The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-08-03

| lie conversation tucH htCabS ulofb gene
raj they talked Of the Excavation continued
by the Borghese family Of Italian artists, Of
the .Colonne yendeme,' and thousand Other
topics. Nothing was knew to Napoleon, who
conversed with perfect knowledge Of every
subject, and wonderful clearness Of perceP.
ton.
Canova could not retain his surprise and
admiration.
How is il possible for your Majesty to di.
vide your attention between so many different
matters p exclaimed he.
Il have sixty millions of subjects, replied
Napoleon, with smile eight or nine hun
dred thousand soldiers, a hundred thousand
horses. The Romans themselves had not so
many have commanded at forty battles
At Wagram, fred hundred thousand can
duchess Of Austria, desired my DEATH Al
this he pulled the ear Of Marie Louise, who
answered with droll imitation Of her Ger
man accent. III etre bien fai.' Il think
said the Roman artist, things now wear diff
ferent aspect
! sOh Celia est bein vrai,' said Marie Louise;
this time In the best French possible, kissing
the Emperor's hand tenderly, who taking the
young creature by the waist, made her SET up
on his lap, but as she bushingly resisted, BAH
bah ? said Napoleon Canova is friend, and
we don't make ceremonies with friends, be-
sides, he is himself Of tender and suscepti-
BILE nature, and will be delighted to witness the
happiness Of an affectionate couple
Listen to me Louise, and will relate to
you romantic story, the hero Of which you
may easily guess you will then Judge ifthose
who love each other ought to feel restraint be-
fore Canoya'
He kissed Marie Louise, and keeping her
still upon his knee, began In the province
of Trevisa there is little village called Pos
sagno. In this place was born and reared the
son Of an architect, whose father died at the
early age of twenty seven, and whose mother
married a second time, Satori di Crepano.
AT four years old, the child, by name An
tonic, was entrusted to the care of its grand
father, who treated il with much severity. By
him il was sent TO pass an autumn at Pradraz-
ri, two or three leagues from Possagno, al the
house Of an Italian senator, friend Of his,
whose name was Faliero. The latter OBJ
serving the intelligence Of the little peasant,
and pleased with the ability he evinced in
carving stone, shaping clay, placed him as a
pupil with clever sculptor called Toretto.'
What! your majesty knows all these mi
mute details Of my private life ? exclaimed
Canova in surprise.
Il know many more, replied Napoleon ma
liciously, and he continued.
'Toretto was a man Of strict morals, but
however, narrowly he may have watched his
favorite pupil, Antonio found means TO escape
from the Atelier now and then to 60 and dance
at the village teies. He was then only six
teen. Amongst the gay throng of peasants
assembled together during the vintage to dance
the tarantella, there was one whose charms
captivated his heart, Bettina Biasi /; she was
just fourteen. Her large black eyes sparkled
with animation her waist was SO tapering
two hands could span it; her hair, the love-
Hest that ever adorned maiden
A sigh escaped from the bosom of Canova.
The Emperor pressed the hand of Marie
Louise, that she might remark that sigh, and
without interrupting his recital, continued
Antonio was enthusiastic, and in love-
As for the grandfather, he was much less
moved by the Vaccinations, than by the mar
rage portion Of Bettina, which was consider
able, particularly for the poor apprentice to a
sculptor.
The parents Of both formed projt cts of
uniting them; arrangements Tor their marriage
we're drawing to close, when Toretto and
the Senator CHANGED to hear of it.
They reflected that this union would de-
stroy the prospects of their proiege, and de-
termined to prevent it.
'One evening they entered the chamber Of
Antonio, commanded him to follow them
and Notwithstanding his tears, his resistance,
and despair, carried him to Venice, where
they confined him during whole year.
All endeavors to escape proved fruitless.
The enamored youth finding his return to
Pradazzi impossible, was compelled to seek
consolation in the study of his iavorite pur-
suit-sculpture.
The talent and reputation Of the young
man soon spread abroad his celebrity was
established-he became rich-his society
was courted by all, and the memory of Bettina
Basi was gradually erased from his mind.
AT the same time, the arts and blandIsh-
ments of another little coquette, Dominica,
took the place in his affections. She was
the daughter Of the sculptor, Volpato.
Proposals of marriage were made; but as
Dominica was yet young, postponement
was agreed upon till the following year
Alas before that time, Dominica bestowed
her hand on Raphael Morghen.
The poor deserted lover was in despair al
this new piece of treachery.
AT this part of the recital, Canova fell into
deep fit of musing and melancholy, uncon-
scious of what was passing around him.
His health gave way. His physicians
and friends recommended him to return and
breathe the air Of his native village.
'(Were Corvisart here, he would say this
was remedy the faculty do not believe in,
but nevertheless it always sncceeds,)
Antonio set off on his journey
On his approach TO his native place, the
thought of Betiina Biasi, that charming, that
lovely girl, so disinterested in her love Tor