The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-08-16

ip in paper parcel when one of IN. h,,.h.
'hpped from bis fingers. and falling on ,he
counter, small piece broke Off. Thar ~
, CATASTROPHE!
Tim-Tim stared at Cornelius, and Corn.,;,.
'tared at Tim Tim. "Bress the Lor. vh., A.,
neius 7 said Tim Tim. .Tim-Tim. niee..
hush your jaw9 said Cornelius.
WHAT'S the matter, my men !" asked the
iIerk. nearly ready to explode with lao ghier an
me comlcai embarrassment of his cusfome,.
:. Muffin, massa, muffin at ALL" said Corns.
nus, turning away and scraping his foot with
= a low bow; "sorTy give you so much trouble.
lone along, Tim. Tim. Good mornin'. massa.,
m.,s. ~, the matter, my man; what's the
Nsfhn, massa. Only kalkilate von,,
d;s ,; ua' o,me to-day. l must be kenom;kv
las, anod. Just remember my old fiddlestsinr
the pomnon aay, anyhow. And, massa. said
and pu,,;n1 o uaIkey, turning round at the door
tell 70, ,,s on look of intense sapuei,v . m
.en J. you !he troof, don't like dem 10y, 70
,.,s mnuiInss, no how. It's ny ;ndow~ae e's.u J...
WASHINGTON ALLsroN,s pp.v,n
The strong devotional feelings os ~
distinguished artist, formed one of ,h i's tate
prominent traits OF his beautiful cbar.mosf most
Connected with this characteristic ia . s-
kaole incident in his early life, which has h.a.
related by one Of his few intimate friends m.
Ailston was member ofthe Episcopal church
Ahnough 10 early life he was ever a constant
attendant, he was not strongly a,ta.hsJ -
religion, nor eminent for his piety. I, VOID
De 100 much to say that he was an unbelievsr
or even sceptc, in his views, but he IVA:
wont to speak slightly of religious thing, snd
even 10 ENJOY Jests at the expense of hoiv sub.
Jects. his feelings, however. underwent = 10.
markabie change, in consequence Of a s;nan.
lar event in his life, which made a vsrv
strong impression, and was even regarded ~
MN as direct divine interposition in his be.
half. MS 'e
Not long after his marriage with his frs,
wife, the sister Of the late DIR. Cbanninp. he
made his second visit to Europe. Ate, 5 res;.
dence there of little more than a wear his
pecuniary wants became very pressing and
argent-inore so than at any other period of
ihe. lie was even at times at loss for tbe
means OF purchasing the necessaries of life.
On ohe Oh these occasions, as he himself
USED 10 narrate the event, he was in his studio.
renectlng, almost with feeling Of desperation
upon his condition. His conscience seemed m
tell h'm that he had deserved his afaic,ions.
ana drawn them upon himself, by his neglect
OF religion, and his want of due gratitude n,
once, seemed filled with the hope tha, God
would listen to his prayers, if he wouId offer
up ms direct expressions of penitence, and
ask for divine aid. He accordingly locked his
door, withdrew to a corner of the room. threw
himself upon his knees, and prayed for a loaf
OF bread for himself and his wife.
While thus employed, knock was heard at
the door. feeling of momentary shame AT
being detected in this position, and of fear lest
he might have been observed, induced him TO
hasten and open the door. A stranger inQuir.
ed for MIR. Allston. He was anxious to know
who was the fortunate purchaser of the paint.
ing OF the Angel Criel, regarded by the artist
as one OF his master pieces, and which had
won the prize at the exhibition of the Acade-
my. He was told that it had not been sold.
"Can it be possible? Not sold? Where is
it to be had ~
''In this very room. Here it is,"-produc.
ing the painting from corner, and wiping of
dust.
"Is it for sale' Can it be bought 2" was the
eager interr0gatory.
ut is for sale; but its value has never yet, to
my idea OF its worth, been adequately appre-
ciated, and would not part with it,"
"What is it's price ~
II have done affixing any nominal sum. I
have always, 30 far, exceeded my offers.
leave i for you to name the price,"
"Will four hundred pounds be an adequate
recompense 7"
ut is more than have ever asked for it,"
"Then the painting 10 mine.''
The stranger introduced himself as the Mar
quis Of Stafford, and he became from that mo.
ment one of the warmest friends Of Mr.. Allston.
BY him, Mr.. Allston was introduced into the
society of the nobility and gentry, and he be.
came one of the most favored Of the many
gifted minds that adorned the circle to which
he was thus introduced, but in which he was
never fond of appearing often.
The instantaneous relief thus afforded by
the liberality Of this noble visitor, was always
regarded by Ailston as a direct answer to his
prayer, and it made deep impression upon
his mind. To this event he was ever after
wont to attribute the increase of devotional
feelings, which became a prominent trait in
his character.