Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-03-17

AN ARTIST ON THE Top OF THE DONE
OF ST. PETERS, CAT Roax.)
Translated from " Memories de Madame
de Ia Duchesse d'Abrantes.
RoBERr was nm enthusiastic young
painter, pupil OF the French Academy.
sent to Rome 10 study the frescoes, and
now one of the most promising Of the
French artists. Bo5ert was one day at
ST. Peters. The hour Of divine service
was past, and he was almos, alone. The
silent aud religious quiet of that vast edi.
fee was interrupted only by The footsteps
Of few casual visilers. Robert cast on
all sides his look Of ardent enthusiasm in
search Of new wonders. On sudden he
saw rope descend from an opening at
the top Of the grand cupola workman
fastened TO il bucket OF water, and it
again ascended. Tine roof was out of
repair, and some mascns were a, work up
ON it, This gave him an idea Of ascend.
| ing the cupola. 81 was curious" said
ne, "to examine os closely as possible
the injury done to this colossus of modern
architecture, which, shooting up towards
heaven, seems contemptuously to say to
the ruined monuments around i'll am
eternal" He assembled the dome.
On his arrival a, the summit, he was
struck with admiration and wonder at the
magnfcen, prospect before him. 1t was
splendid and living panorama, lighted
by sunbeams so different from those of
every other country, covering Nature
with bright and glorious veil Of beauti-
full colors, which float over the buildings,
trees, and land Of Italy alone. He then
looked more nearly around him, and per-
ceived few workmen repairing some
slight damage done TO the roof Of the
dome. To obtain water with greater
ease, they had placed across the opening
Of the cupola two long planks tied togcth-
or; over them a rope was thrown, which
descended into the church. These planks
might be two feet and half in width, aud
as the apparatus was intended merely to
support bucket Of water, no one cared
whether it would support greater
weight. Looking on these things with
the eyes of a young man Of twenty, with
eyes that see danger only TO brave aud
laugh at it, Robert began to think that il
must be singular sight TO see St. Peters
from top to bottom, the reverse Of the man
ner in which every thing that has base
and summit is generally seen--namely,
from bottom TO top.
THIS idea took such possession Of his
mind that he must needs satisfy il. New.
er once calculating whether this plank,
which was three hundred feet from the
ground, was strong enough 10 bear his
weight, he placed one foot upon il, and
then the other, and behold him upon his
dangerous bridge, without any possibility
Of turning back. When, for the first
time, he told me this story, the instant |
saw him upon the plank, suspended as il
were between heaven and the hard mar.
BILE floor upon viii he might been dash
ed to atoms, was seized with giddiness
such as he might himself be expected TO
have felt when in this critical situation.
We surrounded him closely, eager to
catch every word he uttered, and follow
ing him step by step across this danger
Gus bridge.
Scarcely had ! performed third Of
my Journey" said he, when, eager to en-.
joy the spectacle sought, cast my eyes
below. At the same instant, Kissing
sound whizzed through my ears, my head
became covered with a veil OF darkness,
succeeded by one Of FIRE was saized.
in short, with the most horrible vertigo.
Fortunately, had presence OF mind i'm
mediately to shut my eyes and stand still.
cannot express to you what felt u. this
moment, when heard voices close to my
ears, uttering in whispers the most dread
fnl blasphemies. 1t was the wolkmen.
J opened my eyes to continue my p"rlous
journey, foi felt that il remained min
ute longer in this situation, should die
even without falling"
He was advancing with firm step up
on that narrow plank, when he felt the
wood crack under him! He was then in
the middle Of the plank, and the weight
Of his body, so much greater than that OF
the water bucket, must necessarily break
the bridge, and he be preciptated to the
bottom! "Oh," said lad who heard the
wood crack, "the plank is rotten. The
unhappy man will" He did not pro-
nounce the word for the head workman
placed his hand upon the lads mouth
When Robert reached the other side, and
saw the plank, the abyss, and death i'm.
medin,ely behind him, he fell upon his
knees, and poured forth his humble
thanksgiving to Almighty God for his de.
livery from danger. All my friends.
said he to the workmen, with smile of
lnefable joy, and his eyes swimming in
tears. show happy am" But, instead
OF sharing his delight, the workmen seiz-
ed and beat him furious'y: Cursed
Frenchman! rascal scoundrel" howl.
ed the chorus Of masons civilian, how
you frightened US y
Scion compared the people unto the
sea, and orators and counsellors TO the