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

must depart to that land where the good an
the true shall meet again. Thou coulds
not desire to detain me here. Farewell
| leave behind me, in thee. glorious COZ
tinuation of myself. My mission
finished"
In few minutes after these, his la
!, words, Leonardo's tears fell fast and bite
II on the iifeless form of his good old rnastt
as he gently closed his eyes, and signed tL
holy cross on his venerable forehead. Yes,
he exclaimed, rs he knelt reverently by l.
side, " thy prayers shall be fulfl!ed.
viii subdue the evil elements Of my nature
and not f1r myself but for mankind, wi
= labor in the divine art which learned frof
E thee, and Of which thy last lesson has no,
taught me the true spirit, ana my rewar
shall be with thee in heaven
The Chateau de Einci, situated in t.,
beautiful Val d'Armo, was the birth plac
of Leonardo. He was one of the mos
accomplished men of his time. His fac
was fine and intellectual, his figure CON
manding, his bearing graceful, his air nobl
and courteous. lie was also distinguished
for his youthful strength and skill in al
manly exercises, and for his acquantanc,
with military science. His voice was clea
and musical, his conversation amusing ant
instructive, while he united a peculia
gentle simplicity Of manners with polite
ness and natural dignity. When TO th
was added his glorious and almost univer
sal genius it is not strange that he wa
generally regarded as one of the most re
markable men of his day. He excelled il
I music, poetry, and beiles-lettres. He wa!
not less. successful in architecture and ii
sculpture (of which he began the study witt
his old master, Andrea) than in painting:
while he cultivated all the science of the
age-chemistry. anatomy, and mathematics
to make them all subservient TO bis art.
One peculiarly deserves to be noted
that all his manuscripts which have been
preserved are written in the oriental man
ner, from right to left, the reverse of the
/ common usage. 1t has been eoniectured
from observation Of his drawings and
designs, that he used his left hand instead
of his right, as they are all reversed from
what is generally found in the works of
other artists. whether ancient or mordern.
From the time of the death If his master,
he made rapid advances in excellence. He
cherished his memory with the most rever-
ent affection he reflected on his lessons,
and studied to model himself by his precepts
| lie examined his own performances with
the most jealous and fastidious eye, finding
always more to condemn than approve, by
the unapproachable standard Of his own
ideal. lie even carried this self diss.,s-
faction too far. The higher the perfection
he attained in his art, the less was he him
self satisfied with his own productions. He
thus destroyed great number of his own
performances, especially of his earlier days.
The Duke of Milan, Ludovico Sforza, was
hr,tI INF
s,-. --~~.'-.a~'-sss', Il resi-
dence IN his domiuions; and he acrvrva--
ingly was prevailed upon to leave his native
abode near Florence for that purpose. It
is said that the jealousy and suspision of
Michael Angelo, Who was just then Begin
ming TO rise into distinction, made him the
more willing to quit place where be was
hated as a rival. ] iough both of the artists
were OF sorpasSisS excellence. their perfec-
tions lay in different lines. Leonardo was
full of sensibility and imngination; his
region was mind; be delighted to express
all the pure and exalted emotions Of the
soul. He was select in his choice of sub
jects, and unless they We're such as to
interest his heart, his hand became utterly
paralyzed, and he abandoned his attempt.
Ne was sensitive and delicate but his pas
sions, when excited. were hasty and violent.
If Raphael afterwards surpassed him, he
had the glory of being first in the new path
which he struck out.
Michael Angelo, on the other hand.
studied strength and subEmity, and adfe cted
to look down on the less bold conceptions
of Leonardo; while he met hie generous
advances with coldness, and appeared to
avoid any assOcfation.
II may readily be imagined TINT the Dake
of Milan welcomed DE Vinci, aud loaded
him with honors. He prevailed on him. to
be director Of tbs Academy of Architecture
which he had just established. Here Leon
arao soon restored the beautiful simplicity
of the Greek and Roman styles. He con-
structed the famous aqueduct that sappiies
the city of Milan VITA water. which goes oy
the name Of Mortesana, and by which the
waters of AIDA are conducted two hundred
miles to the city.
The following anecdote has an interest.
as illustrating the wonderful versatility OF
talent of Leonardo. The painter, the
sculptor. tho architect. the poet, the man OF
science and polite literature, the accom-
plished gentleman and soldier, and equally
distinguished in all, it exhibits him also as
remarkably ingenious in the principbes and
art of mechanics. In l479, when Louis
XII of France was to make his entrance
into Milan, he constructed an autonnaton
lion, which marched out to meet the king
reared upon his hind legs, and, opening hi;
breast, displayed an escutcheon with the
arms of France quaTtered upon it. In the
military sports and feats which were per-
formed Leonardo was unrivalied and, a'
a horsefnari, he excited universal! admira'
lian by abe boldness and skill with whici
he COULD IsIanage, the widest and most an
goyerna,le steed. Louis greatly scovetee
the honor of possessing so distinguished al
secuisition to bis Court. and is said to have
/ made iiim splendid offers; but Leonard'
declined them all. Certainly, however, h'
felt no great friendship for, or sympath.
with, the duke--who possessded counte
nance expressing all the low passions of hi
character. and which could excite in tn
high minded artist only aversion and disgust
| There was one, als.,, who was CONSTANT.
with the duke, that re, sarded the Fioiensla
/ with an evil eye; this gas the prior. OF tli
Dominican convent. Though his word
4 dropped honey. the ho ney was mixed wit
I gall. His dark, malicious eyes locke
slylv out from overhan, ing eyebrows. III
forehead was knit into thousand wrinkles
and his scornful mouth covered with
br;st,v red beard his ,..ose hooked cve
this fsightful mouth. like. the beaks OF som
obscene bird; in short. his whole appeal
ance Inspired equal di.,.rust and dessntio'
!. Nothing could exceed. the displeasu'
with which this monk regarded Leen;rd
whose adherence for-s so fiend-like counts
, lance, and contempt for the character
which il was the mirror, were proba0
scarcely concealed Every honor whst
tha duke conferred upon The artist he COZ
I sidered an insult to himself. and he dete
I mined to hesitate at no means which mig