The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1852-07-01
WASHINGTON, d. G.
RANK AND NOBILITY.
A sToRY-BY JEANNE MARIE

There was unusual stir in the Exhibition
room. variegated groups passed to and fro
in the galleries some, curious and superficial,
looked transiently on the walls hung with the
best works of the new master some giving
Judgment aloud prematurely, or repeating af-
ter Others, but displaying little true interest or
taste for the art Only here and there might
he seen one. absorbed in the contemplation of
a peculiarly successful representation forget
ting all the surrounding ones To these be-
lopSed Erika, who had come with Gl0ben
once more before her journey, which she
thought she had fully concluded on, and stood
beside Seraphine, before Mlller's Madonna.
brother of the preacher, the fire of whose elo-
" All how proud must be the mother of these
two sons how happy" said she, turning to
Count Sternhof, who had come up to the group.
"Do you know if she is still living, and where
she resides?"
Sternhof blushed. "No," answered he al
am not initiated in the circumstances of the
family who are so happy as to excite your in
terest"
"The woman is to be envied." continued
Erika, without needing Sternhof "What en-
such children. She has demand on the graft
tude of the world"
Very many mothers of such talented men
not know how to value their worth"
Still would like their simplicity, their un-
assuming pretensions would seem SO much the
more engaging" affirmed Erika
At this moment two persons came into the
Al, al L.
the arm of a young, handsome man-and Stern
THAT is he. sounded in the soul of the maiden,
who remained immovable by the frame to
which the new Corners were approaching.
Sternhof withdrew few steps. He felt that
his mother had discovered him. and feared some
imprudencc on her part Gladly would he have
secreted himself in the adjoining hall, but he
had to remain as the protector of the young
ladies while the Minister'S lady wandered on
with her nephew who this day had good rea-
son to be unusually complaisant and attentive.
Erika knew not whether the strangers had
gone over, or remained standing. She had not
looked about, when the voice, that still sounded
like music in her ears, was heard near her
There, dear mother, here they have placed
Edmund's painting" said Adrian to Mrs. Null
Ter
She had noticed Baler, who had turned aside
to speak to Seraphine, and she sought to con-
ceal her emotion in consequence of this acct
dental meeting, by appearing to be taken up
with the sight of her sons greatly admired paint
ing and Erika, who was DESTROYS OF an ac-
quantance with the artists mother, turned to-
wards her, and looked so full of sympathy into
her face that Mrs Muller, unlimited, asked if
she also felt herself spoken to by this devout
cOuntenance
81 bow before the artist who produced il, y
was the answer.
Adrian cast an observant look on Erika. 1t
seemed as if he had seen the face once before,
and suddenly it occurred to him that those
were the same eyes that in church read him
words from the soul, and whose glances rested
on him like sunlight. Who might she be. this
admirably magnificent appearance Erka
read the query in his manner
al wish, az soon as it shall please him, to be
acquainted with one who, whether poet, artist,
or other man, has so affected me, that would
offer him my thanks. He has so attracted me
that desire to become known to him Alas,
fear such wish will remain unfulilled, since
the most distinguished men are the most re-
served, perhaps because forwardness and Gu
rloslty too oft annoy them," observed Erika.
" My son, for am the mother of the young
artist is shy and reserved, yet without pride or
presumption
Because perhaps he fears the wounds which
praise itself inficts on the artist said Erika
" Who can realize the acute feelings of an art
lists soul ~
" | call that man peculiarly happy to whom
nature has given an indication where his ef-
forts are to be exerted; to whom she has i'm
parted a decided talent, and withal has Obvi-
ated any error on his part said Adrian, join
ing IN the conversation. :" might even assert
mat such gift Is dormant in every man, and
that with many there requires only an occa-
SION to call 1t forth. Wherefore the artist owes
two-told thanks to nature and the circumstan-
ces in which he is born, for the gift and the
consciousness of it,"
fou believe, then. in an equal distribution
OF talents, and that our own weakness and use
lessness lie in wrong application and want OF
acknowledge" asked Erika.
Or in wrong state of life,D answered
Adrian. How many, if born in another
place, IN different situation, would have per.
formed things great and glorious; whereas, in
ther confined sphere of action they are com.
pened 10 labor against their inclination. Spc.
ci'ily 90 we lind this the case with artists, who
IN their struggles with poverty and unkind
usage, nave OFT carried distinguishing talents
pa'er hotced with embarrassment that Fri
Ma spun out the conversation with his brother
,ne 0hread or which was not soon likely to be
broken, as she tarried long in his mothers com.
Pahy' In the presence Of the latter, she show
cd remarkable restlessuess Her desire Ia
speak to him conhicted with the fear of incur.
ring ms dlspleasure, and as he seemed cold and
ihdinerent she believed she read in his behay.
io9r signal Tor similar strangeness, and CON-
penea herseif TO strict submission Seraphine
ieit IKE baier, and was equally reserved The
company were now standing before a vast
painting, An assembly of criminals in church y
The expressions in their hardened cunning
passlon-dstracted features, ut the discourse III
the preacher, were displayed with master
strokes.
Erika's looks met those of Adrian. "What
a triumph to rescue these lost souls. and lead
them back to goodness -
But what grief, to have knocked in vain nj
tner closed feelings, and to see the words Of
ave dashed to pieces on the coat Of mail Of OBJ
snd "e conversation again turned on the art,
ent EMU ADRIAN spoke disparagingly of it, apbar-
s;cnysd WIN deprecatng opposition, as if he de-
a1d !" censure the mastery performance,
49, "u w'shed to have the art banished from the
art., r 10 remove its turptude, and Danish the
me- 70 me kingdom Of ridicule, and never
tons VIZ" '"oir 'aoorco i'h''"-
and ,ha and Mrs Muller partially assented,
""u ,ne conference became more animated
wi men ! reflect what pain and delight,
,n aa. ambitious hopes and bitter disappcnt-
~ these works enkindle in the breast Of
w; w., a,sst said Erika, "and compare them
Wv" the needless censures and arrogant iudg.