The Portland daily press., 1866-04-14

| asSiMlaDeS 10 ltSeiI Whatever nourshment n
KnoWiedSe IS attainable, is one of its marvel
GUS characteristics. This boy, born and rear
ed in an isolated scene of primitive toll, haa
access to newspapers, magazines. and few
books and therefrom imbibed a love OF natur
al history, under the inspiration of which b,
became collector of stones and an observer O
thunder-storms; he sought the aged for in
structi0n he watched the clouds and the trees
he learned to revere truth; he found solac,
and support in flial and iraternal love and hi
worked assiduously with the implements anG
materials accessible to him Herein to dis
corning eye may be recognized all that is es.
esntal to the training of mind. heart, and
hand until they have reached the adequate
scope and aptitude to grapple wisely and hon
eStly with specific objects and deliberately
chosen career. sanctioned by endowment and
intelligent choice. ..u
In lo49, Akers went to Boston and obtain
ed the requisite instruction from Andrew Ca
rev In plaster-casting. He then returned
home and tried his skill therein by PRODUCING
a medallion head-his first work of the Kind
and, as such. cherished by his family. A head
OF Christ modelled in clay, was his next at
Tempt, followed by portrait-bust which was
declared to be "as ugly as Fra Angelica's dew
H. ana remarkably faithful likeness" Dur
ing the ensuing summer he opened studio
IN Portland, and was encouraged in his art by
those OF his fellow-citizens who recognized
hls modest worth and native talent. Among
the most ardent of his friends was John Neal
who soon made his claims known through the
press. For two years he assiduously devoted
himself to plastic art, with constantly greater
success; and among the busts which estab-
hshed his reputation were those of Longfel-
low, Samuel Appleton of Boston, Professor
Cleveland, Rev. DIR. Nichols of Portland, Til
GIlhQlnIanttu roll
painter, and several others of less note. In
1852, he embarked for Europe, and passed
nearly year in study at Florence, where he
modelled a few busts and bas-reSefs. On his
return home, he executed his first statue
benjamin in Egypt, which was unfortunately
destroyed by the fire which consumed the
Portland Exchange. He passed the next win
ter IN Washington, and was busily occupied
IN moulding the features of the Speaker of
Inc House OF Representatives, Hon. Linn
Boyd, Judge Mclean, of the Supreme Court.
Hon. Gerritt Smith, Hon. Edward Everett
and others. Several medallions executed AT
this period attest his growing skill and un-
ninching industry. OF these, that of the
Texan Senator, Sam Houston, especially at
tracted praise. He also modelled an ideal head
OF Peace, and visited Providence, r. l., to full
I'll commissions for portraits. In 1854. he re-
turned to Italy, and fixed his residence at
Rome, where the heads modelled in America
were finished in marble. After a brief So
joum in Naples, he went back to Rome, and
there wrought assiduously upon several ideal
heads ana groups, only portion of which
were reproduced In stone. Meantime he
made fine copies of famous works in the Vat
lean, chiefly commissions from New York and
Boston. The most esteemed of his original
creations at Rome are Una and the Lion.
Isaiah, Schiller's Diver, Diana and Endymion,
Glrl pressing Grapes, and the Reindeer. Al
ter this term of prosperous activity, Akers So
Journed in Switzerland and Venice, and pass
ed a summer in Great Britain; lingering in
Paris, where he worked upon several concep-
ions returning to Rome and there executing
tne 81 Elizabeth OF Hungary, the Lost Pearl
Diver, and colossal head of Milton, which
last and the St. Elizabeth were frequently re-
peated Copies OF them in private hands are
now In Boston, Philadelphia and New York.
HIS health, always delicate. now began to fail,
and he embarked for his native country in the
nope OF there renewing his strength. But he
could no longer work in safety, except at long
intervals, in the wet clay; yet kept up his
practice IN modelling, and gratiied his need of
artistic labor by executing Numerous studies
ana few busts and medallions. Believing
ms disease was partially conquered, he again
embarked Tor Italy. His journey was inter-
rupted by serious attack of illness at Lyons,
from which he recovered as 1T were by mira
Gle, and succeeded in renewing his career in
Italy, though still feeble. The last work he
accomplished in Rome was a medallion like
ness OF his wife, whose gifts of mind and gra-
ces OF character admirably fitted her to min
lster to his declining health and sympathize
with his pure and noble aspirations In the
summer OF 1860, he once again sought the
country OF his birth, trusting to the ameliorat-
lnfnQnnn Of sfcr =
associations to recuperate his enfeebled frame.
By medical advice he passed the ensuing win
Ter IN Philadelphia, and devoted all his re-
naming days of partial health to the practice
OF the art he loved-the unfinished head of a
cherub remaining impressed with his touch
when the hand which moulded it was cold in
death. Akers passed calmly away from earth
on the 2lst of May, 1861, leaving an infant
girl and an inconsolable widow, whose tender
care smoothed and cheered bis pathway to
the grave. He died with smile of tranouili-
ty, grasping the hand of an affectionate BROTH
er, when life to him was enriched by love.
bright with promise, and endeared by artistic
triumphs. u -"
There is, in our view, tender mystery iu
the obscure and isolated unfolding of the
gifted soul; and from all we can gather of
the boyhood and youth of Akers, confirmed
by his mature traits, seldom in American ar
tist-lile have the indications of tie organiza-
ton and spirit thereof been more clearly man
hest The outline of his career suggests most
lnadequately the individuality and sweetness
OF nus character Reverence was in him a
prevailing sentiment-exhibited instinctiyely
toward age, nature, and all the sanctities Of
lie. His material comrades long amused
themselves with soliloquy one of them over
neard and reported, uttered by Paul as he
leaned musina at even-tide over the parapet
OF the village bridge. A man notorious for
his vulgar Feasibility and low ignorance pass
ed by. "IfI thought" said the boy, 81 should
never be anything more than that man, 1
would throw myself into the river now" His
very name is tribute to his religious sensi-
bllities; it was bestowed on him in sport, be-
cause OF his grave rebuke of the profanity of
ms young companions and his serious views
OF life. Christianed Benjamin, he was nick
named st. Paul, and by the latter name he
became endeared to his friends and known to
fame. He had that keen enjoyment of life
which seems to be the natural compensation
for unusual sensitiveness; he delighted with
all an artists quick perceptions In the minor
and casual blessings of existence; to him al
ways and everywhere "a thing of beauty was
joys" his love for and interest in children
was perpetual qualification scores of child
loves cheered and charmed his life; anecdotes
" hAohSy3 PCCutidilblcS vi CQlIulOOQ. and
gracefuness and spontaneity applealed to his
artistic perceptions and his humane sympa-
thies; animal life and character won his eve
and heart; clouds, leaves, the human face d.
vine, the pebbles and blossoms of the wayside,
had for him an inexpressible and suggestive
attraction ut makes no difference what hap
pens to me-" he used to say to those near and
dear to him, $50 long as can hear the spar
rows sing and see children roll on the grass"
Even in the waning hours of life he requested
to have his bed moved near the window, that
ne might watch the crimson dip of maple
bough. This cheerfulness never tagged. He
listened to the last with deep interest for
news from the South !" for his death was CO.
incident with the outbreak Of the base rebel
lion which has since devasted the land. He
was singularly disinterested in the exercise
OF ms art. and worked long and frequently to
crafty friends. Many of his studies have
never met the public eye; and his recorded
thoughts, though desultory, betray the habit