The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1846-09-12

Early on The ensuing morning, Anto.
MO wished Dominica 10 sit. He asked
her il there was any costume she pre-
ferred, and il she would like 10 be paint
ed in a mythological one. Dominics
replied, 'Dear Antonio, few days ago
| read The story OF Metra, Erysichton's
daughter. This unfortunate prince OF
Thessaly, after he had incurred The
wrath Of Ceres, because he had proianed
her altar, was ,ormented with hunger
which nothing could appease. All his
20 sessions were consumed one after a.
mother. Having become the terror oi
his subjects and his family, he was COM
pelled 10 fly, and at length there remain,
ed 10 him no other resource than 10 sell
his daughter. Metra had received from
he gods the power TO transform herself
Into o limited number ofanimals. Erys.
chlon sold her as a bird, and she cam E
back 10 him as horse. He sold her
again & again, until at last the pre- escribed
number OF her metophoses was compile
ed, and she again appeared in her own
form, and offered herself a sscrifce 10
his hunger
While Dominica was speaking, Ca.
nova seated himself at his easel. and be
gan 10 copy the beloved features, but
The mschie ious maiden changed her
position and the expression Of her face
every moment, which not little dis
heariened the artist lover. Many Sit
lings passed thus, and he had accom-
plished nothing.
The appointed day drew ever nearer.
Raphael Morghen wore triumphant
mien. Antonio complained not, but
without asking another sitting of Do
minica, sat down, and in twenty four
hours completed the portIail entirely
from memory.
On the day appointed, Volpa'o assem-
bled The renowned artists and connssis-
seus OF Rome. When they were all
present, a curtain was drawn, and the
two pictures revealed. In The first pic
ure, they saw young maiden with .
smiling countenance and look Of per-
feet trust; as if she said 10 her beloved,
i believe you so Willingly This was
he Plcure of Raphael. 10 the other
lhey perceived Metra al that last houl
when she sacrificed herself for her faith.
er. The trembling head dropped and 6
ear moislened the eyelid, lear which
sptsng alike from shame and sorrow
The figure was splendid, and whether
he picture was really superior 10 the
other, or from the sympathy which ev'
er nclnes more 10 The sorrow(uI thar
10 the happy, The whole assembly criet
!, unanimously: 'Anlonio Csnova hssgain
: ed the victory over Raphael Morghen.
! Volpato exlented his arms 10 press tn,
I beloved scholar 10 his paternal heart
but the latter pointed to Dominica, whc
stood in one corner Of lhe aleIier, ant
I whose face wore the very expression o
he portrait
'Myjudges will forgive me- saidAn
, ONO, in a voice which showed tho con
. ;rast he put upon his heart, li protes
b ,gainsl judgment which would hav,
made The bappiesl Of men wrthdrov
ny suit and leave 10 Raphael the burre
nd he merle. Look master, 'he con
: linued.' how my words Olready hav
aiken from The original portion OF he
resemblance 10 my copy, see how Do
r. minics raises her fair curling head, hov
{ her eye brighlens anew she loves Rs
i phaeI. Yes pursued Antonio, as
b 10 answer The aSlOrishmeDl Of his Judge
U every one has consciousness of hi
q strength and his talents. | feel myse
! so far below Raphael, that from thi
\ moment renOunce both the pencil an
The grsver. If there be for me any rt
/ nown in ort then may perhaps, som
u day, find it in the chSeI.'