Smyrna times., 1871-06-21
MiSceIIUW IL e o us.
A Little Love Of a Man.


One of the ablest artists of Dusseldorf
school, under Cornelius and Schadow, was
Wilhelm Preyer He was a painter Of still |
life exclusively, and his fruit and flower pieces
may be known by the exquisite charm of their |
arrangement and the almost miraculous deli |
cacy of touch and color which they display. |
Sometimes it is said of rare poem that it is
perfect picture, and Of Preyers paintings it
might be said they were perfect poems. What
ever kitchen, or cellar, or flower garden, or
fruit orchard furni> he painted with the
skllful grace, with here and there a shining
brown beetle or 4 gorgeous butterfly-in a rea
listic style, much ahead of the pre-, Raphaelistic
school of to day. He ranks with the most
| celebrated painters Of the Dutch school in his
own peculiar line. He was one of the most
diminutive of men, in fact dwarf, but with
out any of the deformities which are generally
found in the people of this class. His person
seems to have been in perfect harmony with
! his genius, for his subjects and conceptions,
though on a small scale, were always exquisite
! " carried out and perfected so his small body
was most perfectly and harmoniousy proper
toned, exceedingly delicate, and in outline and
cOlOring handsome. At thirty years of age,
with his small slender, graceful figure, and
blooming, beardless face, he was invariably
taken for a precocious and forwardly develop
ed boy of from eight to ten years of age. His
clear and somewhat shrill treble voice was ex-
ceedngly boyiSh, and the style of dress which
he adopted was calculated to aid the delusiOn.
He usually wore a short black velvet coat, with
wide white collar falling over it at the throat,
while his long blonde locks fell over his shoul-
ders in flowing masses.
Preyer was not in the least sensitive as to
, his dlmlnutlve appearance, but on the contrary
greatly enjoyed the complications which som e.
times arose from the very natural mistakes
made as to his age by those who did not know
him. He sometimes mischievously lent him
self to heighten the deusions thus created fol-
the sake of afterwards having laugh over q
good Joke.
He had no objection to being petted an(
fondled by handsome and unsuspicious matron
and by pretty and patronizing young ladies
who are generally attracted by bright-eyed ant
well behaved little boys and who in thei
trusting innocence often mistook Preyer fo
r such a one, as he could act the part most per
u fectly.
Once, being off for a holiday spell, he wen
to Munich, where there is so much to interes
artists and lovers OF art, and among other pro
jects lie proposed to hunt up some of his oil
friends; and first of these that he thought q
was his old master Cornelius whom he had nc
seen in long time.
He succeeded in finding the house, and ring
ing the bell, he inquired for. NIeister Corneliu
fy OF tn0 Inalu SERVANT WHO CaIilC 10 Tie QOOT.
e. "The Herr Director is not at home" sh
~ replied gruffly, with half-look at the suppoi
ed importunate little boy.
"When will he be back ?" persisted this il
quisitive child.
II don't know"
But won't you find out, for very muc
want to see him?" says the troublesome an
astonishing infant and so the gruf domest
is obliged to answer perforce.
mn well | will 60 and ask Mrs. Cornelius.
So off she hounces and tells the lady of Il
house that there Is an impertinent little scam
at the door who says he wants to see Meiste
N. Cornelius, and who Will not 60 away.
Mrs Cornelius, being gentle and motherl
hearted, and witha somewhat curious, goes
for the door herself to speak to the troubleson
ew little chap. She appears, the painter lifts h
cap most respectfully, for she is very beautif
cir and gracious.
AID She is favOrably impressed by his courteor
bearing and asks him kindly
4. What do you want my boyY'
- 81 want to see Meister Cornelius" he r
piled in his most childish tone and manner.
I" My husband is not at home, but will gi'
him any message that you may choose to lea
with me, she replies, looking at him al
thinking what pretty, well spoken lad he
=" l am greatly obliged to you, madam, b
vi must see him for myself" answers th
strange child
Mrs Cornelius having become interested
tor the boy, by reason of his exceedingly intel
gent appearance, handsome face, and superi
). manners, and willing to know more of hiI