Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1854-12-02

A day or two since, We learned from q gentle
man of New York city, few facts relative to Mr..
BuLLARD, who is now exhibiting here his Panorama
of NEW YoRK ORR, which, at the time they were
related, very much interested us, and We have no
doubt they viii interest all who have struggled and
are struggling with poverty. Mr. Billiard Is native
Of the town of Howard, Steuben county, N. r..
His father was farmer, and young BullAfd re-
manned at home and worked ON the farm until he
was IA years of age, at which time his father de-
clared he was "too lazy TO make farmer. When
he ought las the father thought) to be at work on
the farm, he was cutting out of shingles the por-
traits of every boy and girl In the neighporhood.
The father not being able TO control the Dent OF
the boys mind, put him with Augustus A. Ohm
stead ESD, Of his native town, to learn the trade
of sign painting. He remained with MIR. Olmstead
seven years, till he became twenty-one years OF
age. After completing his trade with Mr. Ohm
stead he painted some twenty portraits OF differ
ent individuals living in Howard. For painting
these portraits he received some $50. With this
amount of money he started for New York city.
He had expected to find the National Academy
of Design open on exhibition, and to see the paint
ings, and become acquainted with the artists, and
to find, If possible, some one to instruct him In his
favorite art He arrived there, and found the ex-
hibition closed which very much disappointed him.
He roved around the great city day or two, and
was unable to find any artist TO instruct or encour-
age him, and his purse becoming very low, he went
to Hartford Connecticut, in the vicinity of which
place he had friends. He remained in Hartford
one year, receiving instructions In his art from an
artist by the name of Hewens. After leaving Mr..
Hewens, he went into the country from Hartford,
and painted portraits, and realized money enough
to pay the debts he had contracted in Hartford for
board, &c. During the year he was in Hartford,
such was his extreme poverty that he attended
church but six times, because he had not clothes
to wear that were suitable. After meeting with
various reverses of fortune, he returned to How
ard, in 184l, and was married to Miss Angelina A..
Olmstead, a daughter Of the gentleman of whom he
had learned the trade Of sign-painter. From l84l
to l843, he was in various parts OF the Union, en-
gagged in painting portraits. From l843 to 1846,
he was resident Of New York city, and at work
at his art, receiving instructions, and continually
improving until now he is, .at least, prominent
artist
In l846 he conceived the idea of painting his
great work, the Panorama Of New York City, and
found noble-hearted Englishman, George Doel,
who furnished the means to go On with the paint
ing. Mr. Billiard and from three to seven men
we're engaged in this great work four years; Mr.
Doel promptly paid the bills as they became due
in all $4,000. The painting was completed on
the first day of November, 1880
What lesson here is for every young man. Is
there young man in our city who has felt the
tears Of poverty rolling down his checks, who,
when he has become fatigued with the labors Of
the day, has sat down in his room by the side Of
his desk, and rested his head upon his hand, and
there, under the lid of his desk, were his board
bills, and others too numerous to mention, unpaid,
and he has at those times felt almost discouraged,
and said to himself it is no use to try If we say,
there is such an one, he will be encouraged by
reading this, and glory in the success Of Mr.. Bull
lard. Is there not good deal of difference in Mr.
Billiards. feelings now, when he is receiving his
one and two hundred dollars day from persons
who go to look at his panorama, and when he was
at Hartford, and could not attend church because
he had not clothes that were decent9 So it is in
this world, "God helps those who help them
selves"
We say to Mr.. Billiard, as the converted heather
said to one Of our missionaries, go ON, 90 on, 90
on.
Since writing the above, it occurs to US that we
sometime since read the life Of Mr.. Bullard in the
American Biographical Sketch Book Of Selfmade
Men.-Rochester Daily Herald