Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-08-25
Adventures OF an Artist.

PROFESSIONALLY the largest painting ever ex-
ecuted, is now being exhibited in the city of
New York. 1t is correct representation of
the Mississippi River, covering about three
miles of canvass. The artists name is Ban
ward, and it is the object of the annexed s'ietch
to give some idea of the pecnliarities ofthe gen
ius who has immortalised himself by tins stu
pendous work.
John Barnard was born in New York, and
ceived his education at the high School, in
that CITY. He showed the bent of his genius at
a very ~ ,ly age. Beng of de icate he;lt,, s.
confined in doors much of the time, his favor
tie amusement was drawing and painting, and
he thus became quite an accomplished drAughts
man, while yet mere boy While his more
favored brothers were in the open air at play,
he would sometimes be In his room projecting
Instruments of natural sClence-a camera OBJ
scura, or solar microscope. He once came
very near losing his eye-sight by the explosion
of receiver, in which he was collecting hy-
drogen gas. His room was quito a laboratory
and museum. IIa constructeda respectable d.
oramn Of the sea, having moving boats fish, s.
a naval engagement. lie saved the pennies
that were given him, and bought some types,
and made wooden printing press, an printed
some hand-blls for his juvenile exhibition
| We have one of them now In our possession, &
1t is quite genteel specimen of Typography.
| Young Barnard was Intimate with Wood
worth, the poet. The author of the Old Oak
en- Bucket" whose family were neigh5ors to
his father. He evinced great taste for poe
try, at which he early began to try his versatile
genius. He wrote some very pretty verses or
La Fayette's arrival in this country, when he
was about nine years of age. He has contin-
ued occasionally to amuse his leisure hours 10
this way up to the present time, and several of
| his poetcal productions have recently appeared
| in the city papers. His poem of the % White
| Fawn" which he recites TO his audiences, in il
lusration of scene in his beautiful picture,
certainly stamps him poet of no ordinary abil-
ties.
When Banvard was about fifteen years of age
| his family met with seveIe reverse of fortune.
His father lived just long enough to see his
| property, collected by frugal industry and per-
| severance, swept from him by the indiscreet
management of his partner, and his family turn
ed houseless upon a ptilcss world. JOHN then
went to the West poor and friendess, and far
away from those he held dear. He arrived at
Louisville, Kentucky, sought employment, and
procured a situation in drug store but this
did not suit his taste. Instead ofmaking pills,
his employer would often find him with piece
Of chalk or coal, sketching the licensees of his
fellow clerks upon the walls of the rooms, where
they wefe putting up medicines. His employ
er told him he teought he conld make better
likenesses than he could pills. John thought
so too, and SO threw physic to the Dogs" and
: left the druggist.
We next find him engaged in hisfavorite en-
ployment of painting-he having made an en-
gagement t, ornament and decorate public
garden. But this concern soon failed and left
him without money or employment. At this
time he was about sixteen years cid. Our he
tained itfe money, Engaged ROOM and p 0T
sued tile business painting for himself. The
day had not arrived for success in his chosen pur-
suit ; so being fond of adventure, he started
down the river with some young men of his ac-
quaintance, to seek anew his fortune.
i When they Had teacled.the mouth Of the Sa-