Litchfield enquirer., 1863-10-22

STUART, THE ARTIST, AND ANOTHER PERSON AGE-Years ago, there was noted old thief in Boston, who always wore long stockings fall ing down to his heels. His statement as to the cause of the habit, was that he once made league with the Evil One, on the usual terms l and conditions with which the popular stories say these compacts are made When the time was up, His Satanic Majesty, with his usual promptness on such occasions, made his ap- pearance, at early morn, with the intent of ta- kin 2 off the thief to which demand from his master, the old fellow, acting upon the maxim of "honor among thieves" did not demur but instantly got out of bed and began to robe him. self for the journey to his new abode. Not proceeding however, with alacrity sufficient to please his visitor, who had undoubtedly some other business on hand, for the day, he began to hear some very impatient urgings for great CT speed. At last the thief said " ou will wait till 1 pull up my stockings, won't you" To which Satan replied "Yes" Whereupon the cunning old piiIerer, remarked, "Then, will never pull them up.' Old Nick found him. self caught, acknowledged the corn, and left the thief to pursue his usual avocation, all of which he did faithfully, but was careful never to pull up his stockings, lest he should have an unpleasant call.
 1t is said that Stuart, the great artist, play ed a similar trick upon General Washington.
 It was we'll known that the Fatker of his Country, was extremely reluctant to sit for his portrait. He had submitted to the infliction several times, but Stuart finally persuaded both him and Mrs. Washington, to sit once more on the condition that he would present the pictures to them, as soon as they were .fnisbed. He commenced tie work, completed the faces, producing those pictures, which have ever since been considered the most wonderfully correct portraits of General and Martha Wash ington of any extant, but uot wishing to part with them, he avoided the fulfllment of his part of the contract with the originals by necer finishing the paintings. They were therefore left by him as part of his estate, and ultimate ly came into the possession of theBoston Athe- naeum, where they are now exhibited. His last touches were put upon the faces, but the drapery was never painted and the largest part of the canvass, remains as he sleft it. entirely uncovered. They are held now without price. Probably sl00O00 would not buy them.
 Mr. E. c. Middleton, an artist in Cincinnati ti, has devised some new art of chromo oil painting by which he reproduces these two celebrated portraits in a most faithful style of feature and color, differing from the originals only in size and in being. perfectly finished. hany eupieS pl these pedutilui Works 0i art, have been sold in our State, during the past summer and we are informed that an agent is at present canvassing OUT city. No one can fail to admire them, or to desire that they should ornament his parlor, especially in these times when the majestic virtues of the great
 Washington, loom up with unusual grandeur, in contrast with the characters of those who l are now endeavoring to destroy that great gov ernmental fabric which he erected.-B3 idqe. port Standard.