Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1869-09-10
General Literature.
SO.uETIET.N'G DIJ'J.,'E.

SO.nETIEENG DEJI.VE.
do believe thatheither quinino nor sa-
line draughts were so effectual in curing
me of the marsh fever which prostrated me
in Rome as the good little stories my ex-
cellent doctor used TO tell me- One of his
best was about a servant-maid.
Maria, the heroine, was the daughter Of
farmer, but became, at very early age,
the servant of n sculptor of some celebrity
in his day, named Pulci, who had removed
from Florence to Rome to court inspiration
in the metropolis of art for great work.
He was grave, serious man; and after
having instructed Maria in the duties re-
quired of her. retired within himself, and
allowed her to do pretty much as She liked;
so that she governed his little household in
her own way. She was n comely girl, of
quiet manners, and soon became a iavorite
with all Pulci's visitors. The engraver
Savorini was struck with love at first sight
for her, and offered to make her his wife (;
but she replied calmly that she had ongag-
ed with Signor Pulci to be his servant for
three years, and could not think of break
ing her engagement. 81 will find substi-
tute, said Savorini. 81 cannot be replace
cd" she replied. The engraver called her
a Proserpino of pride; and his courtship
ended for the time.
One day Pulci invited some of his friends
to dinner, Savorini amongst the rest. The
meal was taken in the studio, and the con-
versation naturally turned upon art. All
spoke enthusiastically, for ali were Italians
and were deeply devoted to their various
departments. Savorini, who still retained
a strong sentiment for Maria, and, perhaps,
wished to dazzle her (she was moving qui-
city TO and fro performing her usual duties,
but listening TO all that was said with re-
spectful attontion), rather exaggerated the
dignity and the privileges of the profession
to which they all belonged. Kings and
emperors, the Pope himself, he said, rank
ed below great artists; and it was better to
have produced that Diana pointing to Il
clay model which Pulci had Just fnished),
than to guide the councils of nations. ~
place my art" he added, mot quite on an
equality with yours, signori, but I own no
superiors except you, for 1 also feel that
have a spark of something divine within
me-"
He talked much in this strain, being ex-
cited by the good Lachryma Christi and by
the presence of Maria. Although the girl
admired what he said, she in no wise set it
down to his account in the way he would
have desired. She looked upon him only
as an Interpreter of truth, and went about
the room, and backward and forward be-
tween it and the kitchen, pondering wheth-
er she had not also spark of something
divine within her. Eyes, have it ~ said
she at length. AS she said this, she push
ed against Angela, an old dame who had
come in to assist her in her duties, let go
the dish that held the stewed prunes, and
broke it, splashing the rich red JUICE over
her own white stockings.
"Are they quite spoiled?" inquired Sa-
vorini. She gave him familiar push, rs
if She was removing one of her fathers
heifers out of her way.
"Let her alone I" cried Puci we must
not punish her for her accident. She has
not Clipped a statue or a model since she
has been with me-
81 would rather break one of my own
limbs ~ she exclaimed.
"Brava ~ cried they all ; and, after COM
plimenting her, they went on talking of
their art, MS cheerily as If they had not
been disappointed of stewed prunes. Mean
while Maria became more and moro con-
vinccd thai there was spark of something
divine within her.
From that time she began in secret-in
her own little bed-roOm-to tndeayor to
produce some of the forms Of beauty that
hlled her mind. The clay became lifo-like
IN her hands; and, in n very short tinie,
she almost started with surprise nj behold
ing lovely countenance looking out from
the uniformed mass which She had placed
ON her window sill. A natural fear of be-
ing rldiculed and reprcssed, prevented her
rom contiding her projects and her studies
TO her master. Bul her secret was too
troublesome to be kept entirely to herself
| Al hrsl she thought Of the engrayer savor-
I'M and possibly Il would have been well
had his honest love then found favor in he,
| eyes. But the remembrance OF his rough
gallantries made her fearful of confding
|
OIL Ahgela,-but, when she came TO gossip
o' evenings, all Gher talk was about the
handsome cavaliers who looked at her in
church-impious men-and followed her
home' trying to talk nonsense. This was
not proper, confidanto, so she chose an
old doctor, Corona, who had attended her
IN an Illness, and had won her confidence
by MS benevolent manners. She Went tc
MN made him promise secrecy as If she
had been going 10 confess murder, and
revealed that she felt the power 10 become
a great artist.
my fame will fill the world p said she
"But will it fill your hearth"
"That is full already OF hope"
He saw that she did not come for advice
but encouragement, and he encouraged her