New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-07

been thought TO hav some aptness as certainly had
. n,Iohg nenha's % for IL. ! mentioned the idea TO
could be M ~ feasible. We wouldiake an apartment
together. lie would give me all the obstruction and
sS" ~ncs in his power, and was sure would succeed
for two or three days the idea took full possession
of any mind; but believe it owed it, main force to
the lovely evening ramble in which | first conceived
A. and W the romantic friendship had formed with
Alls,on. Whenever il required to mind was always
connected with beautiful Italian scenery, palaces and
statues, and fountains and terTaced gardens, and
Allston as the companion OF my studio. i promised
myself world of enjoyment in his society and in the
society Of several artists with whom he bad made me-
acquainted, and pictured forth scheme OF life, all
tinted with the rainbow hues of youthful promise
Mylot in life however, was differently cast. Doubts
and fears gradually couded 0yermy prospects the rain
how tint faded away; began to apprebcnd sterile
reality gave up the transient but delightful pros
pect of remaining in Rome with AllstOn and turning
painter.
NV next meeting with Allston was in America after
he had finished his studies i'll Italy; but we resided
in different cities, we saw each other ony occasionally
Our intimacy was closer some years afterward when
we were both in England. then saw greet deal OF
him during nv visits TO London, where he and Leslie
resided together. Ason was detected in spirits from
the loss of his wife, but / thought dash OF melan-
cboly had increased the amiabe and winning gIaces OF
his character / used to pass long evenings with HIM
and Leslie; indeed Alston, if any would keep him
company would sit up until cock Growing, and was
hard to break away from the charms OF his converse
ton. He was admirable story-teler; for ghost
story none could surpsss him. He acted the story a.
well as told it.
have seen some anecdotes Of him in the public
papers which represent him in state of Indulgence and
almost despair until rescued by the sale OF one OF his
nainfnps This is an exaggeratiOn sublOn an ex-
tract or two from his letters to me, relating to bus most
important pictures. The first, dated May 9, lsl7 was
addressed TO me at Liverpool, where he supposed
was about to embark for the Unhed States
"Your sudden resolution of embarkng for America
has quite thrown me, TO use sea-phrase, all aback.
I have so many things to tell you of to consult you
about &c. and am such sad correspondent, that be-
fore can bring my pen to do it's Office It's hundred
10 one but the vcxations for which your advice would
be wished, will have passed ana gone one OF tnese
subjects land the most importantly is the large picture
talked of soon beginning: the Prophet Daniel interpret
ing the handwrittng the rail before Belshazzar. !
have made highly finished sketch OF it, and wished
much 10 have your remarks on il. But as your sudden
departure will deprive me of this advantage must
beg should any hints the subject occur to you dur
inc your voyage, that you will favor me with the al
the same time you let me know that you are again
safe in our good country.
think the composition the best ! ever made. Ii
contains multitude of figures, and lii l may be
allowed to say III they are without confusion Don't
YOU think ii fine subject! l know not any that 20
happily unites the magnificent and the awful.
,ngbty SOVEREIGN surrounded by his whole court, IN
toxicated bv his own state in the midst OF his reVel-
inps palsied in a moment under the spell OF prefer
natural hand suddenly tracing bis doom on the wall pc
fore him. his pOwprless limbs like wounded spiders
SHRINK ND to his BODY while his heart compressed TO
0int is only kept from vanishing by the terrific ss-
pense that anmates it during the Interpretation OF his
mysterious sentence His less guilty but scarcely less
aetated queen the panicstrcken cOurtiers and concu
bnes, the splendid and deserted banquet table, the
half arrogant hafasOunded magicians, the holy YES
sells of the temple shining as 1t were III triumph
through the gloom) and the calm, solemn contrast OF
the prophet standing like an animated pillar III the
midst breathing forth the oracuar destruction of the
empire The picture will be twelve feet high by sew
enteen feet long. Should succeed IN IT to my wishes
| know not what may be its fate but leave the flu
tme to Providence PeIhapS may sehu IL ~ Ahierl-
ca.
The next letter from Alstou which remains in my
possesson is dated London 18th March, 1873 In the
interim he had visited Paris, in company with Leslie
and Newton the following oxtraS gives the result OF
the excitement caused by study of the masterpieces
Since my return from Paris have painted two pie
lures in order to have something in the present exhlb
tion at the British gallery; the subjects The Angel
Triel IN the SUM- and Elijah i'll the Wilderness. Unel
was Immediately purchased lat the price asked-l5O
guneas by the Marquis OF Stafford ana the directors
of the British Museum moreover presented me do@a
ton Of hundred and hity pounds as i%rh Vi ticm
approbation of the talent evipced,' &c. The manner
in which this was done highly complimentary; and
can only say that it was full as gratifying as was
unexpected. As both these pictures togethcr cost me
lint ten weeks do not regret having deducted that
time fiom the Belsbazzar, to whom have since re-
tmned with redoubled vigor. ] am sorry did not eN'
b;ht Jacobs Dream. If had dreamt OF tins success
| certainly would have sent 1t there.
Leslie in a letter to me, speaks OF Tue picture Oh
Vrie seated in the Sun: the figure is colossal the at
ti,ude and air very noble, and the form heroic without
being ovelcbargcd In the color he has been equally
successful and with very nch and glowing zone ne mas
has avoided 0osice colos which would have made him
TOO material There is neither red, blue, nor yellow on
he picture and vet il possesses harmony equa To
the best pictures Of Paul Veronese."
The picture made what is called decided Int,
ent sensation. being pronounced
worthy of the old masters Attention was Immediately
called to the artist. The Earl OF Egremont, great
connoisseur and patron OF the arts, sought MN III hls
studio eager for any production from his pencil lie
found an admirable picture there, of which he became
the glad possessor The following Is an extract from
Alson letter to ON the subject:
Leslie tells he has informed You oil the sale OF
Jacob ! Dream. | do not remember II you nave seen
it. The manner III winch Lord ESrehionI oousn. II
was particularly gratfyimg-to say nothing OF the
nrice which is no trihe to me at present. But Leshe
having told you all about 1t, VIII not repeat H. IN
iced by the account he gives me OF his letter 10 you,
be seems to have pulled me on III gr"nu Sy' IN
YOU know don't brlbe him to do 1t, and II they VIII
buckle uraise upon my back, why, can't help 1t!
IL slic has lust finished very beautiful little picture
of Ann Page inviting master Slender into the house
Ann is exquisite, soft and feminine, YET acn anu py
GI. she IS all she should be. Slender also Is very
bnnnv. he ia good parody Millions linked sweet
ness long drawn out" Falstaff and Shallow are seen
Though window in the background. The whole
some is very picturesque, and beautifully painted
Ills lis best picture You must not think this praise
the return in kind give it because really admire
the picture and have not the smallest doubt mat he
will do great things when he Ia once freed rom the ne
cessity Of painting portraits. - -,
Lord For,mont was equally well pleased with the
artist as with his works and invited hun to his noble
seat AT Pewoth where it was his delight to dispense
his hosptahtics 10 men Of genius.
Thc mad 10 fame and fortune open To
Alston; he had but 10 remain IN England ana follow
mn the signal lnprt sSlOD he had made