Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1847-06-25

isllcal execution of the work, will make
| II the most valuable historical painting in
the world, and uneqaalled for magnitude
and variety of interest, by any work that
has ever been heard of since the art of
painting was discovered. As medium
for the study of the geography of this por-
ton OF the country, 1t will be of inesiima-
BILE value The manners and customs of
the abnrgines and the set,lers-lfe modes
OF cultivaiing and harvesting the peculiar
crops-cotton, sugar, tobacco, etc.,-,he
shipping Of the produce in all the variety
of novel and curious conveyances employ
ed on these rivers ior transportation, are
here so wildly portrayed, !ha, but slight
sketch OF the Imagination would bring the
noise OF the putting steamboats, from the
river and the songs of the negroes in the
fields, in music 10 the ear, and one seems
TO inhale the very atmosphere before him.
Snch was the impressions produced by
our slight and unlavorabie view of por-
ton of this gtea, picture, which Banvard
expects TO finish this summer. |, will ba
exhibited in New York in the autumn
after which il will DE sen, to London for
the same purpose. The mode of exhib-
lung II is ingenious, and will require con-
siderable machinery. II will be placed
upon upright revolving cylinders. and the
canvass will pass gradually before the
spectator. thus aflordIng the arts, an OPP
portunity Of explaining the whole work.
Alter examining many other beautiful
specimens of The artists skill, which adorn
his studio. we dined together in the city.
| As our boat was now ready TO start,
shook hands with Barnard who parted
from me with feelings as sad as they had
been before joyful. His life has been one
of curious interest. repIete with stirring
| incidents. and | was greatly amused in
| listening TO anecdotes of his adventures on
these western rivers, where, for many
| years past, he has been a constant soouIn-
er, indefa'tgably employed in preparing
| his great work.
SELIM WooDwoRTH."
Mr.. Banvard's money gave out Just be.
fore he finished his picture. He endeay-
! orea 10 get credit Tor few pieces Of cam
vass 10 complete il, from the merchant OF
whom he had purchased ths principal part
of This material, and with whom he mad
expended hundreds of dollars while spec.
ulaling on the river, but in vain. Forlu-
nately he obtained a small job TO decora te
| regaiia for the Odd Fellows. With the
ava!ls he procured canvass 10 finish his
picture. He was obliged, during all this
time, to practice grea. economy. He
spill, aud carried his wood and water at
night, after it was too dark to paint
| When his picture was flushed, he had
not single genteel suit of clothes. lie
endeavored 10 obtain credit for Goa; from
person who protested 10 be his friend.
bat in vain. The Gas Company. too, De-
fore they would put up fixtures for him,
ordered him 10 deposile double the amount
of the cost of such fixtures in their bank.
TO raise This amount lie gave piece Of
philosophical apparatus 10 a society in the
city, provided they bought fifty tickets in
advance. They agreed TO this, of course,
as they desired the apparatus very much,
as i, was worth twice the amour, they
paid for The tickets.
The first night he opened in Louisville
he received not a cent. The night was
| rainy. The artist returned to his room
with sorrowlu heart. Blu, +" there are
better times coming" On the mex.
night Of exhibition. he received the enor-
nous sum of ten dollars. Finally, the
public became convinced that his picture
was worth looking at, and then they rush
ed 10 see it by hundreds. The grea'
painter left the city with a few thousand
dollars. He went directly TO Boston,
where the work Of art has been duly ap,
preciated. Admirng thousands have WIS.,
tied II, and the enierpFislng artist is de-
servedly reaping golden harvest.
j ENTRanRnInA INcn..n-- W. GnI !.