Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1843-07-27

SINGULAR INCIDENT IN THE LIVE oy
WASHINGTON ALLsroN. The Bos,on
Atlas, after remarking that the strong
devotional feelings Of this late dis'in-
guished artist, formed one Of The most
prominent traits in his beautiful charac-
ter, relates the following remarkable in
cideni in his life
Not long after his marriage with his
first vile, the sister of the late Dr. Chan
ming, he made his second visit 10 Europe.
! Alier n residence there of u little more
Than n year, his pecuniarv wants became
very pressing and urgent-more so than
ai any other period of his life. lie WAS
even, at iimes, at n loss for the means OF
purchasing the necessa,es of life. On
one OF these occasions, as he himself use d
to narfate the event, he was IN his studio.
rejecting, with feeling oi almost dcspe-
ration, upon his condition. His con
science seemed 10 tell him that he had
deserved his affections, and drawn them
upon himself, by his irregular neglect ol
religion, and by want of due gratitude for
past iavors from Heaven Ills heuyt,
all at once, seemed filled with hope that
God would listen to his prayers, il he
would offer up bis direct expression ot
penitcnce, and ask for divine aid He
accordingly locked Eis door, withdrew To
IA corner Of tho room, threw himself Oh
his knees, and prayed for a loaf of bread
for himself and his wife. While thus
employed, knock was heard at the door
4 feeling of momen'ary shame at being
detected in this position, and II feeling Of
fear lest he might have been observed,
induced him to hasten and open the door
A stranger inquiries for Mr.. Allsion. -
He is anxious in learn who was the for
iuna,e purchaser of tho pnIniingo nf "the
Angel U,iel," regarded by the arts, as
one Of his masterpieces, and which had
won the pIlze at the exhibition Of the
Academy. lie is told that it had not
been sold. "Can it be possible Not
sold Where is il To be had Z" "ln
this very room. Here il is" producing
the painting from corner and wiping of
the dust. "Is it for sale /; Can it be
bought Z" wns the eager intcrrpgaiory
SIS it for sale but ITS value has never
yet, to nv idea OF its woIth, been ade-
quaiely appreciaird--and ! would moi
part with it," "What is its price -
~ have done FIXING any Hominal sum. -
| have aIwaJs so far exfeeded my oHels,
leave it to you Ia name he prize. u
'"Will four hundred pounds be an ade-
qnatc rpconpense ~ "It is more than
ever asked for it," "Then The paint
ing is mine" The stranger in,rnducrd
himsrir aS the Marquis Of Stafford - and
he became from that moment, one of the
warmcs, Fl ljirnds of Mr. Alison. By hlm.
Mr.. a was Introduced into the society OF
the mobility and geLtry-and he became
one of the most favored among the many
gifted minds that adorned the circle Il"
which he was thus introduced but IN
which he never was fond OF appearing
often.
The instantaneous relief, thus afforded
by the libcrality of his noble visitor, was
always regarded by Allslon, as u direct
answer To his PRAYER, and it made n deep
impression upon his mind. To this event
he was ever after wont - attribute the
increase of devotional feelings, which
became u prominent trait in h:s charac-