The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1860-07-10

IftC I&ict Gt"lci."aS p:lTllIi'i 'ISipic - 49,
back cr0uud h general, sca!p'ors Go not
themselves handle tic chisel except to CIV a
few finishing. and cml,cllising touches. The
laborious mcciGy!icni duty of 'opyCg III li:''-
BILE. by close lrrasurcinen. from 'hr plaster
cast, is usually eitrjstr,! !" -kiiHi ""!kimen ;
but Andrea fei; as though his 2SqG'sIt'; crc;'-
ton would have tr"s Ino'anc.! )! other eyes
rested upon it, othe. taat- ;"nchcI 1t during
its incolnpletion. He ~ a;:ils't his Mary into
existence out of the SNOWY E,,k :l:mselt. Truth
to say, he had manipulated < nightly and tcn-
derly as though lie feared tie s. ID stone were
gifted with sensation, as though lie thought.
each moment that it would pulsate with life.
pvenlalon looked not more enanorcd OF the
loyeIiuess that had started into shape beneath
his touch than the young nnmoted. FIorentlne
sculptor in the presence Of the Mary he had
evoked!
1t was goriously beautiful form, full of the
most exquisite deicacy, the most speaking grace,
the most touching purity. The kneeling figure,
though ethraIlv fragile, was rounded 10 such
perfection that laughing dimples were pressed
upon the falling shoulders, the Andulusan feet,
tile dainty hands, These were bare, and the
swell OF the expanding bosom, just budding;
into.the fullncss Of womanhood, was revealed
beneath the transparent drapcry. The small,
pocticay shaped head was raised, disclosing
the graceful curve of the slender throat the
upturncd face seemed gazing with inspired
devotion, into that of the Saviour. The hair
flowed to the ground in ripping waves. One
hand held the box of ointment the other clasp
ed the clustering trcsses, as though IN the act
of pressing them upon the Rcdccmcr's feet.
But there was marked defect in the marble
representation, though Andrea saw it not. That
face and form inspired the gazer with ascnse OF
the spiritualizing power of perfect chastity. lis
lovelincss was that of the most unsucd lnno-
cencc. No trace of sensuons emotion wa
visible. 1t was not possible to imagine that one,
whose soul had been heavy with sin, could ever
again wear a look so pure.
Willie Andrea sat dreaming before his mas
ter-piece, ligh, tap on the door was thrice
repeated, as though for signal. Andrea
started up, and his pale countcnance flushed
with a sudden glow Of rapture. 1t is the Judges
he is expecting, so soon af:er the sunrise
The bolt is rapidly withdrawn the door opens
"a Young girl, followed by Il sort OF nurse, or
! gourcrnantc cutters.
"Constanza, YOU have come"
"Did ever fail you, Andrea :"
"Ncvcr, INV goo'l angel, my saint of lnspIra'
ton Come and let mc see if can dare tc
lock once more upon the copy, and behold ii
fade into dull impotcnt ilIsigrifcancc before
the divine Originally
Amjrca'> Mary WIS not the offspring OF hl'
hrtnrv him. bramcd la
! rnicr..s couutclaicr stood that shape full o
ari.c.y grace and Intan;i!c purity. Which hch hm
80 ah!a,iv transmitted to marble. But th'
"m,prr lcat.,y "l SruIpturc' rouI! not convr!
lie uSirc oi those clear, huc eyes the amhc>
"lyanmg ol The hair the peach like hue o
lie chccks--thc dcwy rosIu>S "I the trndc
.,l>- hc anroGal freshness oi the whole form.
something more than TWO years previous t
tI,r date Of onr narrative, her father chanccd t'
see Il Stalucttc OF ST. Catherine modelled b,
! Andrea, and WAS struck by the genius cvircct
bv lis execution The Duke WAS not only III
experienced Judge but Il liberal patron Of art
He ut once purchased tllc ST. Catherine, >ougIl
out the Young soul ptor, and engaged him f
adorn ialI OF lis palace with bas rclicls.
a room WAS appropriated to Andrca's Ms
for the prosecution OF his work. The Duk
and his daughter watched its progress wit
deep interest Indeed, C"nsimnza, when he
studies were accomplished, daily wandered t
tho apartment where the young sculptor wa
cmploycd. That one us sensitive to physic;
beauty as Andrea, finding it united TO rar
rSn:a, ,or+m.,.7c.-, ellould have hcro'cc e;arr0