The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1858-02-24
Anecdote of Aaron Burr.

The interest which Colonel Burr took
in the education of youth has been be-
fore alluded to. He always had r1oteye
in training, upon whose culture he be-
slowed unwearied pains, and more mon
CIV than he could always afford. The
story of Vanderlyn, the most distin-
guished raotege he ever had, was one
which lie often related in his later
years.
He was riding along in a curricle and
pair one day during his Senatorial term,
when one of his horses lost a shoe, and
he stopped at the next blacksmith's to
have it replaced. twas lonely coun-
try place, not far from Kingston, in Ulster
county, New York. He strolled about
while the blacksmith was at work, and,
returning, saw upon the side of stable
near by a charcoal drawing of his own
curricle and horses. The picture which
must have been executed in a very few
minutes, was wonderful accurate and
spirited, and he stood admrlng it for
some time. Turning around, he noticed
a boy little way off, dressed in a coarse
homespun.
who did tl4at?' inquired Burr, point
ing to the picture.
4 did it, said the boy.
The astonished traveller entered into
conversation with the la'; fou4d him in
telligeut though ignorant; learned that he
was born in the neighborhood; had had
no instructions in drawing; and was en-
gagged to work for the blacksmith six
months Burr wrote a few words on
piece Of paper. and said, as ne wrote:
MY boy, you are too smart a fellow
to stay here all your life. If ever you
should want to change your employment
and see the world, just put clean shirt
in your pocket, go to New York, and go
straight to that addrcs, handing the boy
the paper.
lie then mounted his curriclc, and was
out of sight in a moment. Several
months passed away, and the cream
stance had faded from the busy Senator
recollection. AS he was sitting at break
fast one morning, at Richmond Hill, a
servant put into his hand small paper
parcel, saying that it was brought by a
boy who was waiting outside. Burr
opened the parcel, and found coarse
country-madc clean shirt. Surprising it
to be mistake, he ordered the boy to be
shown in. Who should enter but the
Genius of the Roadside, who placed in
Burr's hand the identical piece of paper
he had given him. The lad was warmly
welcomed. Burr took him into his fam
lily, educated him, and procured him in
struction in the art which nature had in
dictated should be the occupation Of his
lifetime. Aftcrward, Burr assisted him
to Europe, where he spent five years IN
the study Of painting, and became an ar
fist worthy of the name.
While Burr himself was wandering in
Europe, Vanderlyn was exhibiting pie
lures in the Louvre, at Paris. and receiv-
ed from Napoleon gold medal. besides
compliments and fluctuations from the
Emperors own lips. Nanderlyn did all
he could for his benefactor in Paris; but
unhappilv he had the successful artists
usual fortune-povcrty embittered by
glory. He afterwards had commissions
from Congress, and painted the well
known Landing Of Columbus for pam
el in the rotunda of the Capital at Wash
inpton. lie also painted the portraits oil
Colonel Burr and Theodosia, from which
the engravings were taken by which
their lineaments are now known to the
public, Vanderlyn died only Ave years
AGO at Kingston, near the spot where
he drew the charcoal sketch which de-
ci1n1 his career