The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-05-07

me s8ill heeqfnQ me poplt 81 IAN 2 ai-lth-
berg, and made rapid progtess in the elementary
parts Of his profession. Impatient to produce
some finished work, he did not give himself
time to acquire purity Of style, but astonished
his master by his brecOcious skill in grouping
figures, and producing marvellous effects ol
light and shade. The first lesson which ht
took in perspective, having Wearied him, ht
thought OF a shorter method and iavented per-
spective for himself.
One Of his first rude sketches happened tC
fall into the hands Of a citizen OF Leyden who
understood painting. Despite Of its evident dc.
fects, the germs OF rare talent which it eyinced
struck the burgomaster; and sending for the
young artist, he offered to give him recon-
mendation to celebrated painter living at Am
sterdam, under whom he would have far more
opportunity Of improvement than with his pres
ent instructor.
Rembrandt accepted the offer, and during
the following year toiled incessantly. Meantime
his finances were dreadIully straitened; for his
father, finding that the expected profits were
very tardy, refused to give money to support his
son. as he said, in idleness. Paul, however, was
not discouraged. Although far from possessing
an amiable or estimable disposition, he held a
firm and Just opinion of his own powers, and re-
solved to make these suhservient first to fortune
and then to fame Thus while some Of his
companions having finished their preliminary
studies repaired to Florance, to Bologna, or to
Rome, Paul, determined, as he said, not to lose
his own style by becoming an imitator OF even
the mightiest masters, betook himself to mis- pa
terual mill. At first his return resembled that
Of the Prodigal Son. HIS father believed that
he had come to resume his miller's work. and
bitter was the disappointment at finding his son
resolved not TO renUunce painting.
With very bad grace he allowed Paul to
displacethe flour-sacks on an upper loft in order
to make sort Of Studio, lighted by onIy one
narrow window in the roof. There Paul paint
ed his first finished picture. 1t was potTait Of
the mill. There, on the canvass, was seen the
old miller, lighted by lantern which he carried
in his hand, giving directions 10 his men, occu.
pied in ranging sacks in the dark receases OF th'
granary. One ray falls on the fresh, eomel!
countenance Of his mother, who haa her foot b
tho last step Of a wooden staircase Rembrand
took this painting to the Hague, and sold it io
| 100 ilorins. In order to return with more speed
he took his place in the public coach. WheI
the passengers stopped to dine, Rembrandt fear
ing to lose his treasure, remained in the carriage
The careless stable-boy who brought the horse
their corn forgot TO unharness them, anda sOol
as they had finished eating, excited prOably b!
Rembrandt, who cared not for his fellow -passen
gers, the animals started off for Legion, anC
quietly halted at their accustomed inn. Ou
painter then get out, and repaired with hi
money to the mill.
Great was his fathers joy. At length thes'
silly doubts which had so often excited his angry
contempt, seemed likely to be transmitted intC
gold, and the old mans imagination took rap
turous flight. "Neither he nor his old horse,
he said, ''need now work any longer, they nigh
both enjoy quiet during the remainder of tt ell
| lives. Paul would paint pictures and support th'
whole household in affluence."
Such was the old mans castle in the air; hi
clever, selfish son soon demolished 1t. " Ihi
sum Of money, he said, sis only lucky wind
fall. II you indeed, wish it to become the found
alton Of my fortune, give me one hundred flor
ins besides, and let me return to Amsterdam
there must work and study hard.
1t would be difficult to describe old Rem
brandts disappointment. Slowly, reluctantly
and one by one, he drew forth the 100 florin
from his strong box. Paul took them, ant
with small show Of gratitude, returned to Am
sterdam. In short time his fame became es
tablished as the greatest and most original o
living artists, He had host Of imitators bu
all failed miserably in their attempts at prOduo
ing his marvellous effects Of light and shade
Yet Rembrandt priced the gold which flowe
into him far more than the glory. While ming
ling the cOlors which were to flash out on hi
canvas in real living light, he thought but 0
his dingy Golfers
When in possession Of yearly income equa
TO $4,000 sterling, he would not permit tn
agent who collected his rents TO bring them j
from the country to Amsterdam, lest he shoul
be oblidged to invite him to dinner. He pre-
ferred setting out on fine day, and going him
self to the agents house. In this way he save
two dinners-the one which he got, and the on
he avoided giving. $50 that's well managed !
he used to say.
This sordid disposition often exposed him
practical jokes from his pupils but he Possasse
a quiet temper, and was not esily annoyed. On
day a rich citizen came in, and asked him th
price Of certain picture,
1.-TWO hundred florins, said Rembrandt"
"Agreed, said his visitor. II will pay 20
/ bU~LuuEIUW Hubu 4 huAAA AVA thV PiSeuAOs
About an hour afterwards letter was hanC
to thepainter Its contents were as follows
"MAsTER REMBRANDT-- During your absent
few days since, I saw in your studio pictui
representing aa old woman ehurning butter
was enchanted with il, and if you will let N
purchase it for 300 florins, pray you bring
to my house; and be my guest for the day"
The letter was signed with some ficticot
name, and bore the address Of village sever
leagues distant from Amsterdam.
Tempted by the additional 100 florins, an
caring little for breaking his engagement, Rem
brandt set out early next morning with his pit
tnre. He walked for four hOors without FIND
ing his oblidging correspondent, and at lengtl
worn out with fatigue, he returned home.
He iound the citizen in his studio, waitin
Tor the picture As Rembrandt, however, di
not despair Of finding the man Of the 800 Hol
ins, and as falsshood troubled bnt little h
I blunted coincidence he said
------ if.sssst5t' = aTh4.t
eThis picture is bssyad "a be 40 lanrsf IN ststsno
have found it, description ia the rtasH