The Soldiers' journal. (Rendezvous of Distribution, Va.) 1864-1865, 1865-02-01
From elusss gEss5 yhich had d. no control, my


er's Much against her will, I chose to trans
fer the whole to her, save a few mementoes of
her art, scarcely finished when he died. l had
yet fortune, however small, to earn, and 1 was
eager to commence, now that there was an OBJ
ject to work for. But day after day WENT and
no one came to employ my talents.
Since coming to Florence l had often heard of
the Duke di Gonzaga, man of princely fortune
and fond Of art. He came into my studio one
morning, graciOusly introduced himself, and
begged to see my work. uncovered my stat
ues for his inspection, and was charmed at his
praises. The next day. he sent for me at the pal
azzo to show me his collection. 1t was indispu-
tably fine. His gallery noble apartment,
ancient in style, and full of rare specimens. My
whole heart warmed to this man-s0 gracious, so
noble, cordial. His very presence carried
with it a perfect af1luence Of good humor and
grace. He desired me to execute work for
him. He would leave it to my choice to select a
subject. Anything of which he had not already
a design, he would like; better still, he was
pleased to say the design might be wholly origi-
nal with myself. The use of the gallery he ten
dered to me to work in, that I might better un-
derstand what he lacked by what he already
possessed.
At first was hopeful and ardent; then, after
|
days, 1 grew dispirited, and thought I could
never do anything that would be worthy OF
standing i'll such glorious companionship ]
went back to my lonely studio feeling more de-
pressed than ever. My head was on the table,
my hands folded in a dumb grief when touch
upon my shoulder made me raise my eyes. 1t
! was Clemence who stood before me. told her
! ALL and with quick and earnest sympathy she
listened, and babe me be of good courage.
81 have heard that the duke is very knd,' she
said. He knows, too, enough of artists to feel
that inspiration cannot be called up at will
Courage, my love! you will soon conquer the
incubus that sits upon your heart
Dear comforter! For her sweet sake went
back to the plazzo the next morning. determin
ed to do something worthy of her and myself
something that the world should acknowledge
the work of a masters hand. I took my place
opposite great draperied window. The full
purple damask hung in rich, heavy folds before
it. / threw off my heavy tunic, assumed light
garment, and selling large lump of clay
stood awaiting the first ray of inspiration that
might be drifting towards me. Suddenly the
dark curtains parted, and where they parted
stood form SO perfectly beautiful so angel like,
that, without specializing why it stood there, OF
whence it came, began to pile up the mass and
bring it into mortal shape. What could it be?-
Was it something of the imagination, Or spirit
The face, in it's profile was towards me, but a
veil hid the features and only showed the hail
as it came ripping down upon the perfect shout
ders, without Disgusting the curve where the
head joins the neck. This, so rarely beautiful,
was perfection itself in the statue.
! 40, that could see that facev' l exclaimed
passionately; and the words were hardly off my
| lips, when the heavy drapery rolled together
and hid the image from my eager sight.