The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1868-07-11
FRANKLIN LA, SATURDAY, JULY IL 1868,

d heavens, all gave impulse to his spirit. IN
t carried him over hills and through valleys
! But when he sat silent before his easel, the
: did his brow become clouded, and his han
is unsteady. At this time many of the pic
tCres Of Leonardo are lost-he often de
It stroyed them himself in fit of disgust
r when they only wanted few masterl
r strokes to complete them.
G The duke possessed an ardent love 0
~ the fine arts; his great misfortune wa
5 that of having fallen so entirely under tn
/ Influence of the artful Dominican, wh'
), swayed him to his o.gn purposes, whicl
/ were all low and selfish. Often did h
4 stand enraptnfed over the works of -th,
Y artist. This" he would exclaim, .Hil
be the gem Of my collection. Gifted Flo
rentime proceed with thy work, and ash
: what thou wilt-all price is below it.''
; The Dominican was enraged by all tht
t new honors heaped upon Leonardo, and he
: determined to destroy him. He had min
q utely observed him-studied his character
: and the peculiar, delicate constitution Of his
mind. Hatred is patient and indefItigable
in lis labors. He knew that Leonardo
; pencil became powe!less unless his taste,
: mind, and heart went along With it, and on
this knowledge he formed his plan.
My lord said he to the duke, Il feel
most bitterly for your many disappoint-
, monts; no sooner have you set your heart
on picture than the capricious and daring
) Florcntino draws his bush over it. Let me
adY!se you 70 sit for yonroOwr portrait, this
at least he will not pres1pne todishonor, and
you may have one perfect gem from bis hand
for your collection
The duke seized insteltly upon the idea
You shall paint ny portrait" said he to
Leonardo, .rhen one of your. pictures at
least will be saved from destruction. Your
respect for ne, as well as Your affection,
will not permit yoU TO draw tile brush over
the lneaments Of your friend and patron.
The artist trembed at the order. How,
indeed, could Leonardo. who delighted to
paint nature in its faireSt forms. endure suGn
ii subject, such Il combination of physical
4 ugliness, utterly unreieemed by moral
j beauty 81, sublimity. The red shock hair,
the gray, tsr;nkling eyes, the pale, ashy
cheek, and ill->haped head-it was impos-
sible, and yet the dnke commanded it Re-
! fase he could not; a2d yet if he obeyed,
could lie prostitute his glorious art to hatter
the tyrant. and disguise his hideousness by
a deceitful falsehood While. if he painted
/ him true to nature, what specimen OF his
art would go down to posterity to be pointed
TO through after ages proof that Leo
nardo de Einci sold his pencil for gold
Il uas in rAiH- H.. l. nan-1 -raaq the
spirit of his master Andrea. "Wel, thoh,
cup, and pant him as he is. LIS true. he
will read in his portrait his own hdtefui ichar-
acter, but will not degrade my pencil by
fattery, l will not deserve the scorn Of after
ages"
c,,s HE ;tr7Gc9lIiag hand he seized the pen
fi-rspurFance, $780,. fore -1a.GI,d
Behind him the Dominican had placed him
self, and looked at the artist with exulting
malice. reading in. his troubled eye and
trembling hand the fIll influence of the
malignant spell which his wiles had cast
upon him. In vain Leonardo essayed to
draw an outline-he saw nothing but the
horrible face of the monk. AT length he
exclaimed. throwing down his pencil, :. /
can do nothing unless your highnesS remain
with me alone," the duke ordered the Dom
inican to depart. and new motive Of revenge
arose in the monks he art.
Leonardo proceeded with his work day
after day, but the nearer the painting APP
preached its completion, the more dissatis-
fed became the artist. At length, however.
the last stroke was given and it stood fin
ished against the wall in all its revolving
ugliness.
HOY" cried Leonardo. losing all self
command. 9 shall picture like this go down
to posterity! Shall tarnish my fame and
soil my future greatness by such a speci-
men Rather perish my art. rather perish
wNiiheef Viii eolene 81 netes;mad Ia aie stlhiiIe sttliIe hi few
into fragments.
$50, so, master.'' smoothly said the Do
A. {f,a Il
OF the duke TO see the picture conveyed to
him. lie had come with the intention ct
working him up to this catastrophe, but it
was unnecessary--the ungoyernabe passion
of the artist had anticipated him. 30,
Master Leonardo, perceive thou art pos
sessed of an evil spirit. viii not interrupt
thee.' And lie hastily retired.
| Leonardo awoke from the deirium Of
| passion to the consciousness of the deed. "A
| feeling of self reproach came over him
which was even more poignant than his for
uer fears of the vengeance of the prince.
| 1t was his protector, his benefactor. that ne
had thus iilsul.ed. .What have | done.'
he exclaimed as he gazed upon the frag-
ments and gathered them from the iloor.
Those eyes have looked upon me with
Kindness, those colorless lips have spoken
WOIuS Ol ~ Hy PAi"S>'
| ever thou vert to others, to me then vert a
friend and benefactor ~ and his tears fell
fast upon the fragments Of the picture.
| The door opened and messenger came
TO say that the duke required his presence.
i leonardo 1rembled. 81 may not call on
thee, Andrea" said he, Il have sinIied
.asainst thy precepts."
/ With faitering steps he approached the
duke, whose countenance was dark and low
ering. Beside him stood the hated monk,
With folded hands ard affected humility
i ..What have you done with my portrait y
! exclaimed the duke with suppressed passion
Destroyed it'' replied Leonardo with
trembling voice.
) ..And why =" said the duke still COM
manding himself.
1T was the feeling of his own worthless
; ness, SIRE" exclaimed the monk, - the con
E sciousness that be could n OF do you JUSTICE
. IT is false - said Leonardo. ;,
; "False :" exclaimed the duke. approach
a ing him, his face pale with rage; "speak
4 what was thy motive -
: ..Madness," answered Leonardo firmly
!, madness. and want Of self-command."
al The duke stood silent fer 9 moment
r "Wha,ever was the causes" said he, per
e haps YOU have done well, and forgive you
: if you accept my conditions"
!. Name them, my prince" said Leopardo
g :. command ne through fire and water an
,. you shall be obeyed. Make ne undergo an
: torments, viii not complain.s will devot
# my best art, day and night. to redeem In
y bcrirne, ana to render myself worthy of you
n goodness"
l. BE it so. thea" said the duke, ''yo
r shall no longer have your attention dis
1t tracted by things Of this world; your al
III IL ..,oso,rafad tn holy purDoses 'nh