The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1848-07-18
MISCELLANY.
THE SCULPTOR.
AN AFFECTING STORY OF A YOUNG GIRL

universal interest. Her surname is no
given. but she was commonly called Ma
ria la Fantesca, or Maria the servant girl
She was born in one of the villages near
Rome, and at an eaily age was placed BY
her parents, who were very poor, in the
family Gf all eminent scuIptor.-Befort
she came of age she had conceived sucl
ar admiration of her masters works, that
she had formed the bold resolution of de.
voting herself to the study ofthe art pur-
suing it at first in secret, but cherishing
a hope Of one day attaining public success
Maria confded her intentions to an artist
who frequently visited her master studio.
and begged of him I give her secretly a
few lessons in drawing and modelling. The
artist not only granted her request, but in
duced his friend DR.. Corona to aid him in
| the instruction of the enthusiastic girl.
The first step gained, Maria devoted
every momen; she could snatch from her
household duties TO modelling and draw
ing, she was never idle. To execute
something worthy of her masters praise,
was the highest object of her ambition.
Life had new charms for her if her reso-
luton at any time wavered, or she felt o.
vercome by the difficulties of her task,
Maria used TO go secretly to the Vatican,
and there, surrounded by the great works
of the ancient art, her enthusiasm was
speedily rekindled, and her courage re-
vived. She would pass hours together in
looking at her %favorite statues, and ga
zing until she felt her mind thoroughly
imbned with their beauty. These were
her lessons. She determined not to fail /;
and as if aware that in this resolution she
possessed the surest guaranty of success.
she labored unremittingIy, and overcame
obstacles which would have daunted a less
hopeful spirit.
The pursuit Of sculpture as an art has rarely
been attempted by Il woman, and difficulties
met Maria at every step still she allowed
nothing TO turn her purpose. She listened
eagerly to every word of advice and instruc-
lion which she CHANGED to overhear her mas
ter giving his pupils, and treasured all up in
her memory and afterwards, in her quiet
hours, when she had time for reflection, or to
pursue her studies, she tuned this instruction
10 good account BY this steady pursuit OF
economy of time, Maria made a progress that
aston iShcd her friends that were in the secret.
At length she set to work on n statue, on which
she had bestowed long and anxious thought.
and which she hoped TO render worthy ofpub-
lie exhibition. She told no ono of her project.
and it was only in hours stolen from her daily
Il ,I,,.,as nv ,oro f-oo,o,tl,. from, la- -,rlfS, roct
that she could prosecute her work.-Two years
did the energetic girl labor on in secret, unaid-
cd even bv the voice of encouragement, but
| supported by her own enthusiasm. AT length
the statue stood before her 4 finished work
1t was a statue of Minerva; and though by nc
means ~faultlcss in execution, its deficiencies in
finish and proportion were compensated by q
grandeur of attitude and genial expression, and
a beauty in the features, which seemed almost
inspired. The statue was completed the last
| finishing touches were given to it; and Maria
had it secretly conveyed to the hall in which
the exhibition was TO take place. The judges
appointed to award the prize to the successful
candidate were assembled crowds flocked
from all parts of Rome to the capitol, and eve
ry seat was occupied. All were eagerly dis
cussing the merits of the various works Of art
exhibited.
II so happened that Maria's master was pres
idcnt on this occasion, and it consequently fell
to him to crown with a laurel the prize work
of art selected by the judges. Maria, in her
| simple servants dress, unnoticed and unsus-
pected, had followed with the crowd, and Ia
ken her seat in the gallery. With a beating
heart she watched intently the proceedings Of
the There was a breathless silence
and the opinion of the judges was at length
delivered; it was unanimous.
Reader, can you imagine the feelings of min
gled rapture and amazement which overpow
cred poor Maria, when she saw her master steT
forward, and amid the d~eafening applause o
the assembled multitude, place the laure
upon the head of the Minerva? On every
side she heard the praises of the statue, and o
the talents of the unknown artist.
Maria went home, silent and alone anC
here a still greater JOY. if possible, awaited
her. She went back to her ordinary duties
but her face was flushed, and her whole frame
fevercd with excitement. Presently her mas
ter's bell rang, and she obeyed the summons
but when she now entered the room she could
control her feelings no longer. She fell or
her knees, and bursting into tears, confessed
her secret. Her master looked at her in silent
establishment and admiration then raising hel
up, he overpowered her with questions as tc
the means by which she attained such prof
cheney in the art, so entirely removed from
her sphere of life. Maria humbly and mod
estly related her story. She told him of the
irresistible desire which first determined hel
to be a sculptor-the study and labor she had
devoted to the art-and all the hopes, the fears
and difficulties she had met and overcome.
The good old man listened with deep inter
est and embracing the poor girl afiectionate-
ly, he promised to adopt her as his daughter
and pupil, assuring her that such a beginning
argued the brightest success.
Maria's story was soon known throughout
Rome, and a universal feeling of interest was
awakened in the fate of the self-taught artist
| She was courted and fattered, and received
into the highest circles, all vieing to bestow
the greatest honor on Maria Ia Fantesca; but
her Joy was no longer the same as that which
had animated her in the secret hours of study,
when unknown and uncared for she labored