Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1854-08-31


the italian opera, and who enjoys a
great reputation, not only as being a
connoisseur of music, but further, as
being a great amateur Of painting
How the reputation was acquired, you
will presently see.
He was, he is, one of those Bedouin
Englishmen, who live alternately in the
European capitals, except when they
are on an occasional jsunt to Egypt, or
to China, or to India, or the Holy Land.
He never travelled alone; his wife was
with him-his bona Eds wife-for, not
withstanding his errant life, so apt to
weaken ones morals he had all the
English respect for the sex, and true
Englishman's love for his wife. She
was beautiful woman, one of those
keepsake beauties, that, once seen.
make man dream forever. Her So
cial success was very great in all the
cities they visited.
In Rome, after some years marriage,
they became acquainted with German
artist, of a good deal of reputation,
who. to his art, joined the learning Of
Benedictine, and knew the city Of Rome
as well as Winckelmann or Visconti.-
The German volunteered 10 be their
cicerone in the Eternal City-they glad
ly accepted his offer. Many were the
hours they passed with him in the mu-
scum of the capital, in the Vatican. in
St. Peters, and in the delightful excur-
sions they made in the envifons Of
Rome.
The artist became in love with the
English lady; she reciprocated his af-
feciion. The husband was long time
in seeing the stain upon his honor. Sew
eral months passed away before he per-
ceived, for he was very much pleased
with the artist, and they had long been
on the most intimate footing. Although
stung TO the quick by such base faith
lessness. and such gross violation of the
laws of hospitality and friendship, he
said nothing; he disliked scenes. He
was, nevertheless, determined upon a
complete revenge, and he appealed to
cooler reflections to furnish forth suita-
bic punishment, as the passions are bad
councillors.
He left Italy and retired with his wife
to England, saying nothing but GE re-
Voir to the artist When he reached
England, he told his wife of the painful
discovery he had made. and gave her
back to her fathers hands.
He then returned to the continent
alone, and visited Germany, Russia and
France. where he purchased a great
many paintings. He then went to TIA
ly, meanwhile continuing to purchase
paintings, and at last-two years had
now passed away since their last meet
ing--he called on the German painter,
who still lived in Rome, and demanded
satisfaction from him.
His challenge was accepted. and the
Englishman, according to European Gus
tom-much better than ours-being
the offended party, selected the wea-
pons; he chose pistols. During the
past two years he had practiced daily for
several hours, and his known address
with the pistol had become an unerring
certainty of shot. He sent the shot
wherever he wished it to 60.
The parties went on the ground; they
were placed at thirty PAGES apart, and
with the privilege of advancing ten
PAGES before firing. The signal was
then given-"Onel Twol Fire!'
The word "Fire" was scarcely out of
the seconds mouth, when the English
man fired without moving. His an
tagonist's pistol fell from his hand, and
was discharged by the fall, the ball
burying itself in the ground. The Eng
lishman's ball had shattered the artists
wrist; an amputation was necessary
the career of the artist was ended-and
forever.
A few days after the amputation the
called on him, and without
noticing the angry reception he met, said
% the suffering artist
eff you think my vengeance is salts
led with your shattered hand, and the
wreck of your artists career, you
underrate the agony of a de-
;eived, dishonored husband; though /
nave condemned you to a life of vain ,
-egrets. to a never-ending series of i'm
potent signs, to total oblivion by all
amateurs and historians of art"
20, 10, SIR" interrupted the artist,
lis face beaming with ray of hope,
the last you cannot do. Ny 'Madon-
Ia at ST. Petersburg; my Luther at
Berlin; my Flight into Egypt at Par
S; my"
The Englishman interrupted him in
urn.
Spare me- said he, the name of
-our works; but look over this catalogue
md see if / have not the exact list OF
hem alp \
Yes, they are all here-even the
,a.nting finished the day before the i i
luel.' ;,
$50 was persuaded. All the paint :, !.
ngs in this catalogue are my property. :,
,eino nv property, do with them what y
please, and I please to burn them u
We to burn every one Of them, that 4
our name shall be efEaced from the y
lorious roll of artists. In two hours q
-om this time, your oil, your concep- s. ;.
ons. your skill, will be as completely q q
faced from this world as the lines ~
hi.b fba ,,rob,r fra,as -, the oaoJ are Ln