The Middlebury galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1848-1850, 1849-07-17

lowed him the use Of small room 70
performing the experimentation though
he would fail, and that thus should &c
rid of his request for the use of a case il
the museum without having to deny hin
! a favor.
When Henderson had prepared himself
one of his acquaintance was invited int
the room to see an unfinished representa-
ton of Henderson, the actor, in the
character of Sir Francis Gripe." On
entering, the figure was seen standing in
a corner of the room, with the head lean
ing against an old coat, folded in such a
manner as TO afford back ground, and
thus prevent unsteadiness, which nigh,
lead to detection. A white wig made OF
horse hair decorated ss;sead. The 7f1ce
was daubed with ocRre, vermil!ion, and
lampblack; the features were much dis
torted, so much so that had my reputation
as an artist depended upon their resem-
blance to the original, ] might have fear
ed for the result of the examination about
to take place. The visitor, however,
seemed disposed to fatter me and. CRATE
full for the permission to see an unfnish-
ed work, assured me that had been very
successful in the likeness. He thought.
indeed, that had improved upon the orig
inal. l begged him to suggest any i'm
provement that might occur 10 him. He
replied: Perhaps you might modify that
peculiar cock of the eye little; and, if
1 were you, l would give him better leg,
instead of those spindle shanks of his.
This last remark occasioned decided
change in the expression of the wax fig
ure, for Henderson thought good deal
of his legs. This change, however, was
not observed by the visitor, who still re-
garded the legs; but had great difficulty
in containing my own countenance. so lu-
dicrous was The scene. The wa1 face had
now recovered its proper expression, when
our visitor took up the lamp, and, against
my dissuasive remarks-that the effect
was b st at distance that the thing was
not yet finished. and consequently would
not bear close inspection-he walked d.
rectly up to the figure and stood within
foot of it, face to face. 1t was evident
no trick was even suspected, as he held
the lamp, now above, now to one side,
then below, &C., &c, the better to exam
inc the work. The actors eyes had now
been kept SO long open ,cithout acinking
that moisture was beginning to collect in
the corners; observing which, our critic
Marvellous Marvellous
How in the world did you contrive TO
make these tears? Did you use gum A.
rabic, or copal varnish! At this, the
friend who stood at M side could refrain
no longer, but laughed outright. l was
obliged to laugh also, hut the actor still
maintained the ludicrous gravity of his
countenance. The critic appeared cons
fused for moment, staring at us inquir>
ingly but he soon became aware that
trick had been played upon him, and, sud-
denly turning again upon the ,oar figure,
he seized it by the nose, and the tweak
he gave it would have proved fatal to the
symmetry of waxen proboscis. As it
was, however, it did no damage to that Or
gan, but it brought some additional mois-
ture to Henderson's eyes, and an excla>
nation from his mouth, of "D-n il,
don't You forget that my nose is made
of War. " Others were introduced after
this to see the wax figure, but shall not
attempt to describe any more of these in
terviews.
You are at liberty to make use of the
above statement in private manner, or
indeed, publicly, should you deem it nec-
essary TO refute any statements of an op
posite character.
With pleasant recollections Of your
kindness and civilities at Cincinnati,
] beg you to believe me, very sincerely
yours,
HIRAM POWERS.