The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1849-01-17
From Codeyis Lady's Book, for February
THE HAPPY EXPRESSION.

| ...w From Codey's Lady Book, for February
/ THE HAPPY EXPRESSION.
ny ANN wILMoT.
GAN very beautiful" said the delighted
Mrs. Blowsey, widow of the late lamented
Mr.. Blowsley, draper. She had Worn her
weeds the full time required by the social
law, and was now rejoicing in the luxury Of
white, from Marabout plumes to satin slip
pers. "All but one thing"
"And what is that" asked the painter.
"Is not the figure GRACEFUL"
Perfectly! perfectly"
"You have not changed your mind about
| the character"
4 ooh, no. think nothing so charming as
u shepherdess. How sweetly she holds her
crook! And that dove! What happy
idea! am delighted. But, as said,
there is one fault"
"Pray what is it, Mrs. Blowsley' II
art can remedy the defect, you know it will
be done. Name what you think the de-
feet"
The lady bushcd and simpered as daint-
lily as she knew how, and then said
otis in the expression, sir"
"Ah!" And the painter fixed hi, keenly
observing eyes upon her.
eyes You have failed to get my hap
piest expression. Now | want that-my
happiest expression. have a particular
reason for this; and you must do your best
to catch it. Look"
Mrs. Blowsley made an effort to look ex-
ceedngly interesting-to put on, in fact, as
she said, her happiest expression.
"There; do yousthink you can catch
that" she said, as she tried to smile most
winningly; an effort that caused her lap-dog
holding attendant to assume most laugha-
bly, lugubrious countenance.
"I'll try" said the painter, taking up his
palate, and giving the picture few touches,
"There. How will that do''
Mrs. Blowsley examined the portrait at
tentively for some moments, shaking her
head all the while.
81 think that's it, exactly" remarked the
painter.
"All but the expression You have
failed there. "See"
And the lady again resumed her place
and again put on her happy expression.
Nov, I'm sure you haven't caught that.
You know you haven't. That's what |
want Now, do try and paint my face just
as il is. like the picture wonderfully-al
but the face. And must say, in candor,
that don't think the resemblance at all
perfect"
lndeed thought the likeness the best
| part Of it." ..
dts no likeness at all. The expression
is very bad"
And, in truth to say, it was bad enough.
Still, Tor all that, the likeness was admira-
Bile, and Of that the painter was fully aware.
He had softened and modified the lady 5
scoarse, fat face, just as much as he felt him
self justified in doing To go a line further
would be to make the picture, in his eyes at
least, ridiculous.
".Just look at this portrait" said Mrs.
| Blowsley, going up to the exquisitely beau
tilul likeness of lady who had carried of
the palm Of loneliness in large circle, for
two or three years. Now, | don't like
the picture at all In fact, there is nothing
in it but head and shoulders. But It has the
i right expression, while mine, in this respect,
is shocking failure. don't see how you
could have missed so widely my true express
sion. You must try again."
/ "I will do my best to get it right" re-
turned the accommodating painter.
i Mrs. Bowsley sat down again, and looked
her lovelest As she brought her features
nto a smile, she felt that if the painter could
only succeed in catching the expression her
picture would be perfect But, poor man
he worked upon her fat face, thick lips, dou-
bic chin, and anti-Grecian nose, with but
little success He caught her smile in ev-
t cry line, but it was her smile, and the pic
ture had her expression. He felt that it
wouldn't de- He touched, re-touched, oblit-
elated and re-created softening and chang
ing from life at every new application Of his
pencil,
think that win do, madam" he at last
said, after he had battered her face so much
that he was in doubt whether his sitter would
not be offended.
Mrs. Blowsey again took a critical posi-
ton in front Of the lovely shepherdess.
" Better,n she remarked, after looking for
some time. Better. But it's not exactly
! right yet. You've got more Of my express
sion,, but not my happiest look. must have
that, and you must succeed in catching it.
Pm sorry to give you SO much trouble but
while we are at il we might just as well
have il right as wrong"
| Ceftainly--certainly But, indeed, Mrs.
Blowsley, ] think the likeness perfect. ]
would be almost afraid to touch il again, for
fear Of destroying it,"