Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1854-06-02
MISCELE.i
| From Mary Howitt's cart Student in Munich
The Casting of the Statue.

The rude stage was erected opposite the
furnace, in which were congregatcd number
Of people, principally ladies. But before we
take our stand there, we will inspect the fur
mace somewhat more closely. Nid-Orungc-
colorcd flames roarcd through its narrow
nichc-like windows, lcaping and rejoicing in
savage glec from its top hurried thick yo-
lumes of lurd smoke, and columns Of dazzling
dancing sparks Sprang up into the mysterious
gloom which hung above the furnace Sunk
into the pit in front Of the furnace, lay the
carthcn mould, built into it in fact, with
narrow channel left round it, into which the
molten metal was to flow, Three long chains
of punderous links descended from the dusk
void, the orange and scarlet glare flashing
and resting upon them twO-thrds up, the
three chains seemed lost in a murky vague
ness, dark as Ercbus; low down, ON either
side the furnace, was IA small door, which the
workmen opened ever and anon to feed the
raging flames within with fresh metal, or else
to stir them up with long poles. I thought,
as these doors opened, of the children cast
into the fiery furnace, and how their figures
might have cleaned forth through such open
ings, fitting past in awful safety amidst the
whirl Of flame, accompanied by the fourth,
august, white-rubed form.
Up rises the furnace door forth rush curl
ing waves of fire, with fiery surf scattered
around ; binding. glaring, orange light
broadly falling upon the dusky workmen,
who, shading their averted faces with their
gloved hands and slouching hat-brims, excite
and tease the devouring element with their
| long poles.-And Ferdinand Miller is ever
near to the gaping jaws of the furnace direct
ing and experimenting his face glowing
in the intense heat, his brow beaded with
sweat. The rough walls of the furnace rise
! duskly in the lurid haze crimson and orange
| light glares from the windows in wondrous
| graduation up the walls, until lost in cold
darkness, where, through dimly discerned
rafters and scaholding, CLEAN two long mar
row streaks Of daylight. The fire glow glares
and burns like ruddy gold upon the quaint
forms and eager faces of the groups Of work
men, who toll with their long poles before the
furnace mouth and long grotesque shadows
are cast Pickering behind them upon the
ground and walls. The hre-glow glarcs upon
the knot Of earnest spectators surrounding
the furnace and the pit, and assembled upon
the stage or leaning against walls and brick
columns it illumcs them with magic bril-
liancy, which is rendered at certain points
yet more wonderful, from cool blue daylight
striking upon their brows, whilst the checks
are flushed with the reflected light of the
ilames And above the crowd Of living fgures
rise colossal forms of armed warriors and
peaceful poets, and sceptred monarchs thcs,
glowing crimson those standing calm anl
pale in the cold light of day.
\ glowing heat meanwhile fans our faces
and we hear the rush, rush of flame, TIA,
cries of the wOrkmen, the commands of Fer
dnand Miller, and an answering iar-of vote,
dropping down out of the mysterious dark
ness above us.
Much had to he done ere the imprisone,
. al l..
ing cinders placed around the mould
within the channel, to heat it in preparation
for the Scalding metallic stream now work
men, with delicate care, remove the plugs
which have stopped up certain air-holes upo
! the surface of the mould, and brush ava
the dust now the cinders are removed an
the holes in the channel for the entrance {
the metal in the mould are opened, and aftp
much passing to and fro of workmcn in thei
slouchcd hats, and with their leathern apron
fastened behind with brass chains and clasp
a and who carry high above the heads OF til
II crowd long bars of iron, red hot at their tip,
or gigantic ladies glowing of IA vivid yermi
lion ; now, after AN hour of expectation
Ferdinand Miller proclaims in loud vote
that the casting is about to commence.
May beg OF you all here he exclaim
- to remain perfectly quiet, whatever ma
z happen. MI necessary preparations f.
safety are made should any danger occur,
will inform you but keep quiet, | pray yu
all, BY all means we must avoid Il sudde
current of air
Workmen approach hearing trcmendot
bar, with which to burst open the tiny ape
ture in the blank wall of the furnace, abo,
the pit, and through which the metal is
flow. Ferdinand Miller stands as yet upC
the mould his men surround him On II
borders of the pit, With burning fambea
IS held before him he once more examines Il
= air aud metal holes, The bar is suspend,
: to the three chains. Ferdinand Miller leal
l. from the mould the men stand rcndy hcSi'
e, their lar there is mementiry solcm
$, pause, in which the constant rush, rush
- the flames imprisoned within their citad
u falls monotonously ON the ear the besiegc
of the citadel ptus" solrlnnly beside their ba
Inrinll-rAIn L1l.N nAms.. IN IlrlAnr. Hon.