Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-11-15

JOHN CARTER, THE LIMBLESS ARTIST.
[Erom tho Boston Transcript
Visitors to Williams & Everett's will find
there an exquisite little drawing, which they
will at first be pretty sure to mistake for fne
engraving. It represents the Village Rat
catcher and his dogs, and tells its own story at
glance. The picture may be regarded as
quite perfect.
But it is more than work Of art; it is a
wonder, for it is the chef 'nuvre OF an un-
taught, poor, crippled sllk-weaver, who drew
and painted it with his mouth alone, without
instruction and without assistance. 1t IS one
Of the results of his artistic impulses and his
constant, patient, unWeary experiments and
diligence This seems incredible; Eut such we
are assured is the strange fact 1t has always
been owned by the English, gentlama,n! who has
put it, as a curiosity, on free exhibition. 1t
came into bis hands as a gift, and there is no
doubt Of its eenuineness or the truth Of the
account Of its origin. Besides this, only four
Of John Carter's (tor that is the. artists name)
productions are known to- exist, and one OF
these is in the procession Of Queen Victoral.
John Carter was the son OF acommon laborer
in Coogeshell, Essex county, England. His
only instruction-the rudiments OF reading and
writing-was obtained at the parish school
he never had lesson in drawing or designing
OF any kind. In May, 1886, in company with
dlssolute companions, with whom ne was then
ahae fellow, he went on an expedition to steal
young rocks on the estate Of Osgood Hanbury,
abanker of London. He accidentally tell from
afr tree, forty feet in height. This casualty
entirely deprived him of the use of his limbs
lie was, until he died. in 1858, hardly more
than a useless trunk, without power of motion
and without feeling in any part of his body ex'
cept bis head and neck. A visitor, about a
year after this disabling paralysis, loaned him
book containing an account OF a young woman
who, losing the use OF her hands. amused her
self by drawing with her mouth. This account
interested Garter, and he determined to try
and do the same thing. After long-contlnued
Efforts, he succeeded by slow degrees IN be-
coming marvelously efficient Resting upon
his couch, be had his paper liked to desk,
Which was placed almost perpendlcularly be
lore, and in close proximity to his face: With
his head inclined towards the right side, and
With his hair pencil between his teeth, ne pro
auced by the means Of the motion OF bis neck,
assisted BY his lips and tongue, the most beau,
uully turned strokes, rivallng 10 tact tne o.;
greatest profciences in the art OF drawing. ''I1I
His wife or sister assisted him only by filling
the brush from the palette with India ink, and
placing it between his lips. He. continued te
txrlit rapidly round SO as to bring tito hot
point fordse. He first outlined or sketchec
aise composition, and then filled in and shadet
~ after the manner Of a line engraving.
lie New Y York papers speak in high prals
ot the Nicholson pavement, which has replaced
IT, .nSesold style ON Nassau street in that city.
he estern papers havee Exhausted praise ol
The same s,Ihipcf Uhara ita merits have becl