Weekly Trinity journal., 1860-02-04
THE JOURNAL.
A Romance in ART Life.

One OF our famous American scnlptors, resl-
ding in the delightful city Of Forence--whjther
all the genius Of England and America seems to
tend--was one day seated in his studio at work
on an Apollo for which. by the way. he mig ght
stand as a model himSclf---whcn his attention
was attracted by n tremendous trampng Of
horses in his courtyard. He looked out Of the
window, and h"held a magnificent carriage, with
autridcrs, drawn mp before lis door. Presently
gentleman demanded admittancr to bis studio,
and announced himself as The Prince de J..
Jle came to give the sculptor large commission
His daughter who had been struck by some
statues Of the American that she had seen, wished
10 sit to him for her bust. She then below
in her carriage. Was the sculptor at leisure
Price was no object : all that was necessary was,
10 crafty his daughter who was an invalid
The sculptor expressed his willingness to begin
the work instantly, and The Prince, giving sign
10 his ackeys from The window, they proceeded
10 lift lovely girl, who appeared about eighteen,
out Of the carriage, and bore her in their arms
up the stairs. The sculptor could not repress a
look Of surprise at the curious mode Of l0como-
lion, as the lady did not bear the slightest trace
Of Illness in her countenance. The Prince inter
lretod his surprise. and Immediately replied to it;
My daughter bas been paralyZrd in all her
limbs, he said, for the last two month";. it is
rad thing. She has had all the medical aid to be
had IN Florence but to no avail"
The sculptor looked at the invalid. Nothing
been dreamed of by Pbidias. face like Cenci's
before it was clouded by the memory of crime
masses Of rich, lustrOus auburn hair, framing
clear, pale face with deep blue eyes swimming
beneath fringe of the silkirst black hShes.
Through her delicate muslin robc the contour Of
Rdivinely moulded form was indicated; and often
The young sgnorta cast upon the scul ptOr
rapid glance, soft as starlight, piercing the
ItctIous prcsage Of some indelnablc catastrophe.
She sat. The sculptor worked at his model
like one inspired aud "A pang struck his heart as
The hour for retiring came The Prince and his
Iackeys bore her again down stairs in their arms.
The carriage door closed on her, and the horses
swept through the gate. The sculptor did no
more work that day
To morrow she was to come again. lie lay
awake all night dreaming Of her. Then he would
shudder and whisper to himself:
" 1T is not love- but pity that feel she is
paraytic!'
The next day the same was repeated, with This
h!hercnce-ihat the Prince excused himself on
the plea Of business engagement, saying that
he would return in time TO conduct his daughter
home. Poor girl! although the sculptor WAS "A
model of manly beauty her deplorablc condition
was, in her fathers opinion, a safeguard against
any Of the dangers which he might otherwise
have Anticipated lie lett the room and drove
nw"y in his carriage. silence cnsued. The
sculptor dared not look at his model, bat worked
away at his clay image without raising his eyes
ttlll Il silence. Then it seemed if slight
rustic had filled the room. A small white hand
stole across his mouth. and burning kiss was
imprinted upon his forehead. With almost
Ehrick he lcaprd to his feet, and then, with blush
o. crimsoning her pale checks and dove like eyes
imPl0rcd his pardon.
" saw you Il long time ago. she said Can
Italian woman, when she loves, knows no half
measure) "My father was very strict with me.
J could not move without being watched. 1t was
impossible for me to meet you or see you. |
ieigncd para ysis for nearly two months | have
scarcely moved. In his pity for my condition,
my father relaxed his surveillance of my motions !;
lie grailed every wish and, as an invalid, | eX-
cited no suspicion by desiring to become your
sitter. | have taid that love you if you do
not return my love, can only die"
What answer the American made we need not
inquire only, when Prince de b returned,
lie found nothing but a clay model of his para
lytc daughter. The original was nowhere TO be
found. few days altCrward in small town
IN France, the FlOrcntnc Princess sunk her no.
bllity in the name OF the American sculptor.
CRIN0IIAE 0N SmIrBoARp.-- Bayard Taylor
commences Il series of lectures descriptive of his
late visit to California, with All amusing sketch
OF scenes on the outward bound steamer and has
his gbc at crinolinc:
The ab.urdity Of crinoline Except on occasions
of mere display Was never 50 illustrated belnre.
The regular iotundity Of the periphery, on which
depends all the beauty OF the E,shiOn-if it has
any-vaniShed after three days Of sea sickness.
and the shapes which appeared anon. Us would
have puzzled IA gUem"trclan.
have nothing to say against this fashion, so
long as it is confined to the parlor, or the ball
r"onI-thnugh if some ladies could themselves
dancing, they would not waltz second time
but protest against aay application OF it which
either obscurcs beauty, or suggests defOrmity.
Rival Il mOasses hogshcad, if You will, but con
ccal the framework OF the structure Cover up
the hideous scaliUdng with the folds Of skirt
sufficiently wide, not diStcnded affair through
which your cooper work is visible like II barrel
with part of the slaves fallen in Above all,
spread yourselves only when you are sure of
having room and verge cnough-be very careful
IN taking your seats and avoid strong wind
Some OF our passengers were absolutely regard
less Of appearances, 4 stranger, ignorant of the
fashion, WOULD have been amazed at the number
vi hopeful young wives on board others had
their waits immediately under their arms, eX-
pandmg like Il bell glass from that point, while
ALL in passing through the narrow companion
Ways, swellcd into reurward humps. discussing all
outline like that of the llOtlcntot Venus.