The Portland daily press., 1866-04-14
Paul Akers.


following sketch of the too short career of an
artist, in whose fame Portland, the scene of
his early labors and abiding place of his affec-
tons, must always claim a share. Many of
the details narrated below will be recalled,
some will be new, and all will be of interest
to our readers. 1t is only necessary to add
that the author of the paper is Mr.. Il. T.
Tuckerman, one Of the few men in this coun-
try, who have been both willing and able to
turn aside from professional or public career
and devote their lives purely to literature and
the arts. ~ 49, - 800
Benjamin Akers was born at Saccarappa
in the State of Maine, on the tenth of july.
1875. His early environment offers strange
contrast to his career and his fame, Before
we note the labors of the studio and point out
the trophies of bis art. let us realize the asso-
1uences, so remote from all artistic agencies
wherein ne was reared. His father owned
and worked saw-mil in village on the
banks OF his native river; and there he too
unused and toiled, aspirsd, loved and lived, I'M
tn art claimed her votary. Although we can
discover no incentive to artistic taste or actiy-
ity in the early associations ofAkers, the free
and familiar contact with nature, the whole
some discipline OF honest and humble toll and
strong domestic affections, in his, as in so
many other instances, combined geniaiy to
conserve his best instincts and foster his ma
tive candor and generous sympathies. q
Two opposite tendencies are frequently ex-
hlbited in the childhood Of artists and poets
the love of'adventure and intense local and
personal attachments-tne first indications of
brave aspiration on the one hand and tender
loyalty on the other, and both essential quail
ties IN those destined by nature to create the
beautiful and illustrate the true in life and art
Among tile few anecdotes remembered of
Akers, as boy, one relates to his incrlrabe
nostalgia when sent to kinsman in Connec-
ticut, in order to attend school superior to
any afforded by his native district; and anoth-
er records bold juvenile escapade, the object
0fwhlch was to "see the world" His delight
IN new scenes was exuberant, and his love of
home controlling. His father recalled. for
years, the zest with which the ardent boy fol-
lowed him through the streets of Boston dur
ing storm, gazing, unconscious of or indiffer-
ent TO the driving rain, upon the novel build
lngs, objects in the windows, and signs
OF the tradesmen. OF delicate organization,
he was, from his earliest years, a hardy pedes-
trian and a fond observer of nature. His brief
school education was followed by several wears
of cOntented home life and regular employ-
ment in his fathers saw-mill. Mechanical skill
and taste were early developed; he found con-
genial occupation over turning-lathe, execut-
ing beautiful toys, original designs, and the
more line and inventive branches of wood
work. Many choice specimens of his handi-
work are still affectionately preserved in the
dwellings of rustic neighbors as trophies of the
boyhood OF the future artist. He Invented at
this period, a shingle-machine, quite novel and
still in use. -. r.
While thus improving in mechanical apti-
tude and the object of warm affection, sur
rounded by nature, who never vainly appeal
ed to his innate love of beauty, isolated from
the great world, unfamiliar with the triumphs
OF art, and occupied with humble labors, the
need of higher and more graceful expression
became vivid and conscious within him. Had
MS birthplace been an Italian village, art
would naturally have been espoused from the
suggestions there afforded by medieval church
architecture, the picture of local saint, or the
statute of some ancient ruler; but in New Eng
land, away from her cities, at that period, the
youthful mind overlooked in the direction of
literature, because the free-school, the popular
lecture, the weekly sermon, and the familiar
journal or review afforded exclusive mental
stimuli and scope. Accordingly, Akers, like
Franklin, sought to bring his mechanical skill
INTO action with view to enlarge his intelec-
tual opportunities, and went to Portland TO be-
come printer; but again drawn homeward
by the lnyincible strength of his domestic af
nnltles, he returned and gave vent to his tenn
| ing tancies by writing manuscript volume
here and there filled with descriptive sketches
essays, and verses, attests the vivacious fecun.
dlty OF his mind Long after, when he had
achleVed fame as an artist, this tendency to
nterary work was again induiged; and the
fruits OF his pen, especially as an art-critic,
indicate mature reflection and expressive
beauty OF dlctlon. His early attempts, howev
er, fell too tar short Of his ideal to justify the
experiments OF making literature pursuit; al
though they were remarkable, considered as
the spontaneous work of country school boy
He had for some time been interested in draw
ing; ana, alter trying mechanical invention
fancy woodwork, printing, and pen-craft, hi
tnouSnt ne must be a painter Diverse a
these lnltlatory experiments may appear, the
were inspired by an identical sentiment;
love OF beauty and passion to embody AM
express lt-hrst in forms of mechanical grac
and ingenuity, and then in language. A sin
gle specimen of his ability as a painter, exc
ecuted at this time, is pronounced by one VIII
examined it with affectionate interest. et
fective, though crude, and exhibiting muc
feeling. But herein also Akers felt that b
had missed his true vocation; and to the sui
sequent sight Of plaster-cast he was accu.
TONED to refer its authentic revelation to HI
consciousness. s# &F!ET 81 =
Not without hint, thereof however, did HI
boyhood pass An incident recalled by h
sister now has a prophetic significance. II
winter OF 1883 Is memorable as Nthe winter
the RED night" phenomenon that little Pa,
}, with the other children was reused from Slice
to witness. The spectacle awed him to S
lence. A vast quantity of snow fell, frol
which he excavated a spacious chamber, mad
nlnches in the walls, and placed the childre
erect therein, charging them to keep motion