Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-06-16


Medicis, among other artists TO adorn the waste
gardens of ST. Mark already enriched by the
chieis.dmuv Of antiquity.
The jealous temper of The Torregiano could i'll
brook the rivalry of his brother artists his aai-
mostly was especially directed towards Michael
Angelo, whom he sought continually to oppose
On one occasion, in transport Of fury he nfllc'
ted blow on his adversary which nearly derrlv-
ed OF life. Medcis Justly inccnscd, ordered his
arrest he escaped and fled from Florence, thence
he went to Rome, where Alexander the Sixth oc.
cupied the PopaI See. Here the artist exchanged
The chise fer the sN ord, aud fought vaanuy un-
der the banners OF Pierre de Aledcis but his am
biton not satisfied with the glory he had acqnr.
ed, he resumed the chisel aud went to England;
there palronzed by Henry the Eighth, lie might
have become rich, but TorregiOno was prodigal !;
he left the court Of England, and proceeded to
that OF Spain. After many wanderngs, he esab
lished himself at Seville, then rich aud power
ful city, in the hope ofat length Obtaining the for
tune which had so long euded his grasp. In this
1t appears lie had not yet been successful.
The angry fears accustomed by the long absence
OF Laurenlina were at length nppeased the
morning found 1orregiuno calm, and nrdently en-
gagged upon group representing the Virgin and
the infant Jesus. Laurcnna aud her child form
cd tho model and it was dillicuh to decide which
was the more beautiful, the sculptureJ marble or
the lovely Florenline. II seemed rs though the
marble brealhed like Pygtnaon of old. Tore
giano had given life TO his work the stone was of
dazzling NhiteneSs, the execution equalIed that Of
the Venus Of Ceomene Lore alone could thus
have inspired geguS. Add 'lUrregiano was hap
py he regarded alternately with Joy and tender
derness his chicf-d'Guyre aud its living models !;
both were ohjec.s of hia alteration.
courage, Laupntina the work advances in
one month it will he compleled would that
were rich, my belo, ed, that might keep this stat
ute so exactly resembling thee would gaze on
1t in thine absence !" then in Il lower tone he ad-
ded, "Nonc other should dare to look upon it,"
"Thou lowest to torment myself, my PieIro,"
said his wife, smiling away the irown that had
gathered on his brow, but come, look at our Ag-
nolo; how sweeily he sleeps! Poor Child, may
he never know priVaon aud misery"
"Nlisery" repcatred Petro. "Ah |! it is that
dread sculptor of Italy. These Spanlards
are barbarians, they are strangers to the beauty OF
art; one hope alone remains TO us; they say the
Archbishop of Seville is humane and liberal, 10
him will appIy-he may, perhaps, release us
from the fangs of this cursed Moses
AT this moment voices were heard from with .
out, and TOrrcgiano recognized that of Spanish
amateur who had previously visited his studio /;
he was now accompanied by the Duke of ARGOS,
and attended by Dominican friar.
Warned by a mysterious presentment of COM
ing evil, Laureuiua fled with her child into TN in .
ner apartment.
"Ah!" exclaimed the Duke, as entering, he
perceived the image of Virgin" where hast
thou found so divine model, Signor Pierro p
That she exists am aware he added in low
er voice. approaching the artist. " Lead me to
her, for know, already love herr
Startled by this unexpected avowal, Torrpga-
no hcsltated for some moments. AT length he re-
pliel in hoarse whisper" she was my mistress
i adored her-sle deceived me-she is no
more"
"yillan hast thou dared 10 murder her p
! CALCULATED the Duke.
"By what authority dost thou presume TO ques-
ton me?'
There was that in the tone Of the artist, and in
his glance, beneath which the Duke qualled in
! voluntarily. Laurenliua had not, then, deceived
him when she spoke OF a husbands vengeance
| Bewlldered with cunlectures at one moment lac
was tempted to denounce the supposed assassin
again, he reflected that it was, perhaps, strata
gem on the part OF the artist TO save his intended
victim Besides the Duke ardenlly desired TO pos
/ sess himself of The statue. He resolved, there
fore, to postpone all active measures and turning
| to TorregHno, (who, a prey 10 suspicious the
most painful, has resumed his chisel, apparent!
unconscious Of the presence Of his guests,) cold!
1 asked him the price of his work.
81 am ignorant Of its value" replied the sculp
tor ga Medicis alone eau Judge OF its merits"
"The Duke of ARGOS is The Medicis of Sc
ve,' interrupted Don Perez. You cannot con
sign your chei-d'Guyre 10 more lllusrious hands
Signor PierU."
Piero laughed laugh so scornlul, that III
blood mounted to tie brow OF the naughty Duke
but mastering his emotion by u singular effort, h
said" Nay, yield me but the work, Signor; an
) The sum give shall well repay YOU"
Poor as ! ann | reject your Offer" returned
Torregiano. And in vain they urged him; Iii
artist continued ufiexible. As they retired III
Duke whispered in a hollow tone 10 the lnQuis
tor, "you will mark this man )" and Torreginu
rod iI,n rln SaI rip
visitors, Impressions more bitter than he had eve
bestowed upon his most successful rivals. The
raising his voice, he cried, Laurentna Lat
rentina y and LaurenIina came weeping, Temb
ling to his feet
: But let us follow the Duke of ARGOS and tt
Dominican. Having bid adieu to Don Pcrc
these two worthless pI oceeded down the mario
street which led 10 The magnificent cathedral
Seville. Here they entered aud remained fl
3 some moments apparently engaged in profouI
], devotion. On leaving the church, they slowly r
y gained the faubourg in which was situated Il
sombre Gothic building OF The lnquisition of las
81 suspect this Sgnor Pietro," whispered Il
re Duke; "his oudacity is revolving"
J. He has never been seen in the church," +
n piled Frar Mendoza.
Dr. =" He bIasphemes added the Duke.
J. Sand has never been known 10 confess sin
he his arrival in Seville" conlinued the Dominican
n GAN this renders him suspicious
" lie shall be watched"
IN "There is some undefnable mystery about Il
man." continued The Duke. 1.-The beautiful 81
ne who served as a model 10 his group, has sudder
O. disappeared. DO you not observe traces OF -
l. Methought -"
Ell "Ah,' interrupted the lnquisitor. 81, too, {
er served certainly, there were traces OF blood ne
er the statue"
ne Gle has murdered her, them" exclaimed I
ma Duke, giving way 10 \ transport OF rage 81
n hos ,t.rIa haul taf ntaI opIi lint n
his abomnable arts. Doubtless he has sold
soul TO some demon to enable him to finish
h. task for never could mortal power produce
marvellous a statue the crime is infamous
" And comes within the cognlzance OF our
ny ly tribunal" interrupted the priest This aft
K; shall he looked to the church ever recognl,
ur one of her frmest allies in the Duke of Arc
and Io-lnorroY"---
lie "And why no, to-day" observed The DUKE,
ne patiently