The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1851-05-29

The story Of q Picture
Amidst the noble collection Of paintings
which adorn the wallsof the Louvre, there is
one which may porchaneo.have arrested the
eye Of some amongst our readers, yying, as it
docs, in warmth Of coloring and yigorof ex-
precision, with some Of the best paintings of
the Dutch and Flemish school
It is named.in the catalogue, The Black
smith and his Family" and his history is
one 50 fullof touching and domestic interest,
that we feel it ought not to be unrecorded.
There lived in the seventeenth century,
two brothers, both painters, and endowed
with equal taEent--a circumstance Of rare Oc-
currenee in the history Of art.
Born at Laon, towards'the close Of the
sixteenth century, they were brought up to
gethcr, and through life remained insepera-
bic. They had but one Workshop, one purse,
one table; the same spirit seemed to animate
them both in life, and in death they were not
divided, for they closed their earthly ca
recr within two days Of each other, in May,
1913.
Loving, as they did, nature under her SIM
piest, and humanity in its most primitive and
unsophisticatcd form, they passed much of
their time in wandering among the cottages
Of Cambresis, sketching the peasant groups
which they met upon the road, or found seat
cd around the cottage health, as wellas the
hardy laborer guiding ms oxen through the
@ell-ploughed field, andth aged beggar who
wandered, desolate and alone, from door to
door.
The simple style was then but little appre-
ciated in France, where the 6ne ladies of the
Court dis,lsipoa even the chef d.
school. Our young
afusrs- slight prospects Of
emerging from obscurlty, and were pursuing
thcirtranquil and unnoticed career, when sud
denly the hand Of death threatened to cut Of
the younger brother inhis prime, before a sin
Gle work had been achieved which would
cause hisname to be handed down to poster
ity.
They had walked together a considerable
distance from home, in order to sketch pic
turesque building, half frame house, hal
forge, such as are frequently to be met wit
e in that part Of the country Whilst the
were thus engaged, Antoine was seized wit
sudden and severe illness. Louis, his eide
brother, wished to convey him to the neare'
inn, but soon found the attempt impractical
and was constrained to accept the hospitalit
which was 50 cordially protfered by the wo
thy blacksmith and his family.
The name Of these good people was Herb
lot, and their domestic circle consisted of Il
father Of the family, his wife, their thrc
children anu j aged grandfather. Each ha
his daily task to fulfil, and with cheerf
hearts did they each strive to accomplish
The husband welded the massive hamme
the eldes boy blew the bellows, his lit
brother carried thecharcoal to feed the fam
and rar IN his fathers errands, whilst 4
good wifG.attended to her domestic concern
and even jhe old man was ever ready to lei
helping hand when his assistance was !
qiircd,
These simple & kind-hearted people quic
ly prepared their best bed for the sick ma
ana s.ed with each other in their anxiety
doaithey ,uld alleviate his suferings.
The best4nedicine in the world eve tru
the faculty win excuse US for saying SOY
q watchful and devoted care; and 50 it prov
ii the present instance, The patient ralli
contrary to all human expectation, withc
the aid Of any more experienced Esculap
than thoyillage doctor, whose chief remed
were those which nature herself prescri
cooling drinks whilst the fever lasted, no
ishnent and generous wines during the
h@ustiln which succeeded
This primitive regimen was, however, S
cessful, and in ten days the young painter
able p isefrom his bed. But as bis co.'s
esaence was not likely to be a rapid one,
expressed q wish no longer to trespass u
me Sinaness oi his host, but to use his
.urllng strength to repair to neighbour
hostelry.
NO no, thatmust not be" exclaimed
"ot,ny blacksmith; you are now quite
q the family you must remain with US
y 'as Baptism q our fourth child, aud sta
olatbr TO-
@oihon couldnoi efuss SIS invita-