The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-11-27
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS..

able change took Mace in my fathers character
Without apparent cause nc became irritable, resuess
and unhappy and very short time elapsed oeio'e
he became guilty of an act of which none supposed
him capable. About this period, the WORKS Oh Que
of his pupils had attracted the attention OF s'''ah
circle of judges and amateurs OF art NY iathef on
the first had perceived and appreciated TINS young
mans talent. and had shown himself particularly
wel-disposed towards him. Suddenly, as If by
smell envy and hatred were generated In his mind
The general interest excited by the pupil became in
toerable TO the master, who could not hear with pa
tience the name of the rising genius. AT length 10
fill IN the measure of his modification, he learned
that the Young man had been preferred TO paint a
nicture for a splendid church then just completed.
This drove my father frantic. Previously the most
upright and honorable of men, he now condescended
10 the petties intrigues and maneuvres-he VINO,
up 10 that time, had regarded with horror and con-
tempt all that bore the sembance of intrigue BY
dint of cabalng, he succeeded in obtaining open
competition for the work in question whoever chose,
was at liberty to send in his picture, and the best
would obtain the preference. Having brought this
about he secluded himself in his studio and applied
himself 10 the task with intense ardor summing up
all his great energy skill and experience of art As
was be expected, the result one of his very
finest pictures. As work Of art, II was unques
tionably the best When my father saw il placed
beside those Of the other competitors, smile of tr
umph cured his lip and he entertained no doubt that
his would be the picture chosen adorn the altar
The committee appointed TO decide arrived and cast
approving gances at my fathers painting Before
giving their verdict however they proceeded to
anime II minutely and at last one of the members
an ecclesastic of high rank, If remember rightly
waved his hand the attention of his fellow
Judges, and spoke thus: The picture presented by
liz ortist he has cd oh
merit as mere work of art; but 1t is unsuted to
the place and purpose for which it was designed.
Those countenances have nothing sacred or holy in
their expression. On the contrary, you may discern
in every of them and especially in the eyes, the
traces more less modified, of some evil passion,
asomething unhalowed and almost fiendish' Struck
by this observation, all present looked al the picture
II was impossible deny the justice of the criticism
My father rushed fiirousy forward, eager to deny
and dsprove the unfavorable judgment. But he saw
for the first time, with feelings of intense horror that
he had given to almost all his counenances the eyes
of the money-lender. They all looked out of the
canvass with such devilish und abominabe stare,
that he himself could hardly help shuddering. The
picture rejected and with unspeakable rage and
envy, he heard the prize awarded his former pupil
He returned home in state of mind worthy Of a
demon. He abused and even ill-treaed my poor
~S'.0O'~
pointment, drove his children brutaly from him.
broke his easel and brushes down from the wall
the portrait Of the money lender called for knife,
and ordered fire to be instantly lighted, intending
10 cut up the picture and burn IL. In this mood he
was found by friend, painter like himself a care
less, Jovial dog, always in good-humor untroubed
with ambition, working gaily at whatever he could
get to do, and loving good dinner and merry COM
pany.
"'What the deuce are you at ? what are YOU about
TO burn said he going up to the portrait. sWhy.
you mad This is one of your very best pictures
The old money lender, declare. BY Joyet an ex-
quisite thing Admirably hit off. YOU have caught
the old fellows eyes to perfection. One would al
most swear YOU had transplanted them from the
head to the picture They look out of the canvass
"sWen see how they look in the fire, said NV
father surly making u movement TO thrust the pic.
t,ire into the CRATE
Stop, stopP cried his friend checking his arm.
Give it me- rather than burn ~ NV father was al
frs, unwilling but at last consented and the folly
old painter, enchanted with his acquisition carried
off the portrait.
"The picture gone, my father felt himself more
tranquil 1t seemed he said as if its departure
had taken load off his heart He was astonished
at his present conduct at the malice and envy that
had filed his soul The more he reflected, the stron
ger became his sorrow and repentance. Yes he
at last exclaimed, with sincere selfreproach, God
has punished me for my sins; my picture was really
a shameful and abominable thing. II was inspired
by the wicked hope Of injuring fellow-man, and a
brother artist Hatred and envy guided my pencil;
what better feelings could expect it to portray p
Without a moments delay he went in search OF his
former pupil, embraced him atiectionatey, entreated
his forgiveness, and did all in his power to efiace
from the young mans mind the remembrance OF his