The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-10-19
Something Divine.

Something Divine.
I do believe that neither quininc nor
saline draughts we're 50 cifectual in cur
ing me of the marsh fever, which pros
trated me in Rome, as the good little
stories my excellent Doctor used to tell
me. One OF his best was about a ser
want maid
Maria, the heroine. was the daughter
of farmer bat became, at very ear
ly age the servant Of sculptor Of some
celebrity III his day, named Pulci, who
had removed from Florence to Rome to
court inspiration in the Metropolis Of
Art, for a great work lie was grave,
serious man; and after having instruct
ed Maria in the duties required Of her,
retired within himself. and allowed her
to do pretty much as she liked so that
she governed his little household in her
own way. She was comoly girl, of
quiet manners. ond soon became Il tavo-
rite with all Pulci's visitors. The en-
graver Savorini was struck with love at
first sight for her, and offered TO make
her his wife but size replied calmly that
she had engaged with Signor Pulci TO be
his servant for three years and could not
think Of breaking her engagement. " |
will find a substitute" said Sayorini.-
Il cannot be replaced" she replied The
engraver called her Proserpinc of
pride and his courtship ended for the
time.
Master Pulci was busy with an impor-
tant group; the subject being Religion
leaning upon Science and Art--an ale
CORY which Italians are fond Of develop
iug Although not iirst-class sculp.
tor, he still occupied a sufficient rank to
bring him in contact with all the cclc.
bratcd artists of the day, who used to
come from time to time to his studio,
Maria was often called for Que purpose
or another, and listened grccdi!y to their
animated discourse on genias aud its
consequent fame. From the very out
set She began to feel yearnings after
earthly Immortality. a year, however
passed before definite plan succeeded
to her vague impulses.
One day, Pulci invited some Of his
friends TO dinner, Savorini amongst the
rest The meal was taken iuto the stu
10, and the conversation naturally turn.
eli upon art. All spoke enthusiastically;
for all we're ltalians and were deeply
devoted to their various departments -
Sayorini, who still retained astrong sen
timcnt for Maria, and perhaps wished to
| dazzcl her (shc was moving quietly 20
and fro, performing her usual duties !;
but listening TO all that was said with re-
spcctfM attention,) rather exaggerated
the dignity and the privileges Of the
profession to which they ali belonged.
Kings and emperor, the Pope himself,
he said, ranked below great artists and
it was better to have produced that Di-
ana-pointing to a clay model, which
Pulc had Just fnished-than to guide
the councils Of nations =" ! place my
art, he added, not quite on an eluali,
ty with yours, Signori, but own no su-
pcriors except you; for ] also feel that
have a spark Of something divine with
in me.
lie talked much in this strain, being
excited by the good Lachryma Christi
aud by the presence of Maria. Al
though the girl admired what he said,
she in no wise set it down to lis account
in the way he would have desired, She
looked upon him only as an interpreter
Of truth, and went about the room and
backward and forward between it and
the kitchen-ponlerng whether she bad
not also a spark of something divine
within her. " Yes, j have it p she said
at length. As she said this, she pushed
against Angela, an old dame who had
come in to assist her in her duties, let
60 the dish that held the stewed prunes,
and broke it,splashing the rich red juice
over her own white stockings
Are they quite spoiled ?" inquired
Savorini. She gave him familiar push,
as ii she was removing one of her faiths
ers heiters out Of her way Let her
alone w cried Pulci. We must not
punish her for her accident. She has
not Clipped statue or model since
she has been With men
would rather break one of my own
limbs," she exclaimed. "Brava p cried
they all and, after complimenting her
they went on talking of their art, as
cheerily as if they had not been disap-
pointed of stewed prunes Meanwhile
Maria became more and more convinced
that there was a spark of something di
vine within her.
From that time she began in secret
in her own little bed.room-to endeavoI
to produce some of the forms Of beauty
that filled her mind The clay became
life-like in her hands; and, in a very
short time. she almost started with sur
prise at beholding lovely countenance
looking out from tho uniformed mas;
which she had placed on window-sill