Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-01-18
sketch Of Fuseli, the Artist.

Although Fusell's talents were highly ap-
preciated in Italy, he never obtained di-
ploma, or other honor, from any academy !;
indeed, he refused all overtures made to him
on the subject; for he considered the insti-
tuition Of academies to be symptoms of art
in distress"
In his temper Fuseli was irritable and vi
olent, but appeased in an instant. In his
person small, with face of independent un-
regulated fire, Leslie says, his front face
had very much the character of a lion.
Hayden heard he was handsome when
young, and with women (when gratified by
their attention) no man could be more
gentle.
Fuseli used to say 81 always think in the
language in which write, and it is matter
of indifference to me whether it be in En-
glish, French, or Italian; know each equally
well but if l wish to express myself with
power, it must be in German. For the pur-
pose of reading Sepp'S Work en- Insects, he
gained late in life a competent knowledge
Of Dutch; indeed, he had peculiar facility
Of acquiring languages. He told Mr.. Knowles
that, with his knowledge of general gram
mar, and with his memory, six weeks of
hard study was sufficient time to acquire
any language with which he was previously
Unacquainted.
Calling one morning on Mr.. johnson,
FUseli found him bargaining with an author
for the copyright of book. When the gen.
temen left, Mr.. johnson said, "That is Mr..
Kett, and his work is to be called the ELe-
nients Of Useful Knopledge." "In how many
volumes ?" said Fuseli. I'm two octavos,"
was the answer. "No, no, Johnson" said
he, "you can not be serious; the ocean is not
to be emptied with a teaspoon"
Discoursing with a lady upon sculpture,
who was, however, too well read in the clas-
sizes to be subject OF his mschievous pleas
antIy, he pretended to inform her of fine
bns-relief which had been received by the
Royal Academy from Rome. ''What is the
subject p she asked. "Hector and Andro-
mache,N said he, 'dashing out against wall
the little Astyanax's brainsW Pooh why
do you tell me such stuff" said she. "Ay'l
you may laugh,n replied Fusel, "but it
would go down with many one. have
often said such things in company without
detection"
The students were constantly amused with
Fuseli's oddities. He heard violent alter
cation in the studio one day, and inquired
the cause. ut is only those fellows, the stu
dents, sir said one of the porters. "Fel-
lOwsl' exclaimed Fuseli 81 would have you
t0know, sir, those tellosSs may one day be-
come academicians." The noise increased
he opened the door and burst in upon them,
exclaimingu "You are den Of wild beasts,
One of the offenders, Munro by name, bowed
and said, sand Fuseli is our keeper" He
retired smiling, and muttering, ''The fellows
are growing witty"
+, A student as he passed, held up his draw
ing, and said confidently, Here, sir, fn-
ished it without using a crumb of bread. y
"All the worse for yOar drawing" replied
Fuseli; buy two penny loaf, and rub it
OUT
When Blake, painter infinitely more
wild in conception than Fuseli himself
showed him one of his strange productions,
he said, "Now some one has told you this is
very fine" "Yes," said Blake, "the Virgin,
Mary appeared to me, and told me it was
very fine; what can you say to that 2''
Say" exclaimed Fuseli, "why, nothing
only her ladyship has not an Immaculate
TASTE