The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1854-01-12
The First Statue of Canova.

J CanOva, that Sklltul sculptor OF mod.
crn times, whose admirable statues
have almost taken rank among the
masterpieces which Grccian antiquity
has transmitted to us. Canova, like
many other great men, owed his rise
solely to himself Diligcnt labor was
tic only source of his fortune, and
the first attempts of his infancy pre-
sagcd the success ofhis mature age.
Canova was an Italian, the son Of
n mason. All the education which
he received from his father consisted
in learning the business of his trade.
AS soon as his strength permitted. lie
learned to handle the trowel and the
Il MINER, to mix the plaster and to
place the gravcl-occupations which
| hc;d;scharged with sufficient zeal and
\ activity to be soon able to serve as
: the joarncyman or rather the compan-
Zion OF his father Notwithstanding his
!, ESouth But in the frequent intervals
y aSese A~ltiela- Ais~c;.lincos rendered
indi- pcnsablc, he amused himself bv
observing the different objects which
he saw about him-with skctching
them roughly with brick or even with
modelling their forms in the plaster
and cement which he had just mixed.
These constant exercises, practised
with rs much perseverance as intel
]gcncc, soon rendered him familiar
with the practice of drawing, and Of
sculpture in relief. But his youthful
talent was unknown to all, even to
his father, who only concerned him
self with his greater or less skill in
passing the plaster to the sieve and in
pouring water into the trough.
n whimsical event suddenly occur
red to reveal it to all the world.
Ills father had been summoned to
make some repairs in the country
house Of a rich lord Of the neighbor-
hood. lie had taken his son with
him, according to custom, to act as
his journeyman, and the gcntccl car
riage Of the little Canova soon pro-
cured for him the affection ofthe chief
cook and Of all the scullions Of the
house, SO that the days work being
ended Canova did not stir from the
pantry, where he executed in crumbs
OF bread or i'll plaster, grotcsque fig
ures and caricatures, which delighted
the Wallets, and in return they fed him
i'll the style Of my lord.
One day there was an entertain
mcnt at the country house. Canova
WAS i'll the kitchen, playing with the
scul!ions, when they sudently heard
!; cry Of despair from the pantry, and
saw the head cook coming out in
alarm, throwing up his cap, striking
his breast and tearing his hair. After
the first moments sofastonishment they
crowded around him III a huddle.
II am lost" he cried, II am lost, I
= am lost !! My magnificent master.r riecr'
my palace, whichI had built for the
dinner! sec in what condition it isl"
And with n pathetic gesture, he
showed an cdificc Of pastry, which he
had Just drawn from the oven. Alas |!
it WAS burnt, covered with ashes and
half demolished. There was n gene
ral cry Of surprise mingled with that
OF grief. n,o,,,,o1,
"Wh't yia is tQ Is Is tie dinner Ll'.no'q ho"r'
~fh,!aevc not time to make another. l
am lost! My lord expects for the dcs-
scrt something remarkable. lie will
turn me away"
During these lamentations, Canova
walked round the diminished palace
and considered it with attention.
rs this for cating!' he inquired.
,"Oh, 20! my little onc," answered
tic cook, 'it is only to look at"
''-Ah WI, all is safe. I promise
You something better in an hour rom
Iow. Hand me that lump Of butter. ~
The cook, astonishcd, but already
half persuaded by his boldncss, gave
-Erri, all nc wanted; and Of this lump
Of butter, Caneva made superb lion,
which he sprinkIed with meal, mount
cd on q pedestal Of rich architecture,
and before the appointed hour, cxhib-
tied his finished work to the wonder
ing spectators. The cook embraced
. him with tears, called him his pre-
server, and fastened to dlace upon
the table the cxtcmporancous master
piece of the young mason. There
was cry Of admiration from the
guests. Never had they seen, said
they, so remarkable piece of sculp.
ture. They demanded The author of
1t. c
Doubtless one of my people, "answ-
cred my lord with satisfied air; and
he asked the cook.
lie biushed, stammered and ended
by collfessing what had happened.
Allthc company wished to see the
Young jearneyman, and overwhelmed
Canova with praises. It was decided
at ONCE that the master of tho house.
hold should take charge Of him, and
have him go through studies suitable
to hissprecious talent. .s..f. t..,,
They had no cause to repent of this
decision. We have seen that Canova
how to profit by the lessons of
his masters. whom he soon e excelled