The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1872-05-19

The Unknown Masterpiece. Z
There is tradition current in Spain
which is not one of the least singular OF the
many that float about in connection Witn /
the great painters. One day Rubens was
in the neighb0rhood of Madrid, and Walt Z
ing monastery of very severe rules, re-
marked, not without some surprise, In the !
humble and poor choir, q painting exhibit
ing admirable talent.
This picture represented the death of a
monk. Rubens summoned his scnoiars,
showed them the picture, and asked their
ing genius. AL
HWho can be the author of this work !"
asked Vandyck, the cherished pupil OF
RubeDs.
"There is name at. the bottom Of the
picture, but it has been carefully rubbed
out"
Rubens begged the favor of an intervlew
with the prior, and asked of the old mo NIX
the name of the artist whose production ne
'o aTbs nainter is no longer of this world"
replied the abbot
"Dead !" cried Reubens, "dead And no
one knows his name, no one ever hlnted 10
me, no one ever told me OF his name,
which my own would have faded. And
yet, my father" said the artist, with hush
of pride, Il am Paul Rubens."
, At the sound of this name the pale face
of the friar was animated by singular
warmth. His eyes flashed, and he looked
8 at Rnbens with strange and wild look-a
: faint plimmer of pride flashed across ms
q face-but it lasted only moment. Inc
i monk then looked down, crossed his arms,
i which for moment he had ralseo 10 he"-
y ven in an instant of enthusiasm.
The artist is not of this world, J" he re-
J, peated. .,.+1
= may let the whole world know IL, tna' 1
e may render unto him the glory whlcn Is
due to him."
I The monk shook in every limb; cold
5. sweat burst out upon his body and tinged
.. his wan cheeks his lips were compressed
., convulsively, like one ready to relieve q
mystery of which he possessed the secret.
1t & His name, his name.n cried Rubens."
The monk shook his head
a. "Listen to me, brother, you have not
10 understood my meaning. SAID 10 you
i that the artist was not of this world; did
Re not say he was dead"
ct "You say he lives!" cried the artists IN
es "He has renowned the world-he is in
Is Is cloister. He is a monk" :,
70 ga monk, my father, a monk! On, ten
i, me in what convent. He must come out OF
Id it. When God stamps man with the seal
of of genius, this man should not be buried in
r. obscurity. God gives such man sub
Ii lime mission, and he must perform bis des-
,g tiny, Tell nae in what cloister he is con-
cealed aud will tear him from it, telling
~ him of the glory that awaits him. If he
a es refuses, I will have him commanded by the
60 -Pope to return to the world and resume hi
~, brushes: The Pope loves me, my father
ID and will hearken to my words"
W. "I will give up neither his name nor ths
ed cloister Which has afforded him shelter,
ON replied the monk in a firm tone.
1.-THE Pope will command you," said
"a Rubens, exasperated.
ea, "Listen to me-" replied the monk, " lis
,rd ten to me, in the name of God. Do yor
yed think that this man, before leaving. thu
mic world, before renouncing fortune and glory
p. did not first struggle firmly against such 1
cir resolution Think you, brother, that h
my must not have met bitter receptions, bite
les sorrow, before he became convinced tina
onr ali was deception and vanityf Let hin
nv die in peace in that shelter he has foun
against the world and its sorrow. You
rise triumphantly reject your advances" b
ght added, making the siga of the cross, I" fo
og- God will continue to be his friend; Goo
ess, who, in His mercy, has deigned to appea
in presence"
it "But, father, he renounces immortality
on Immortality is nothing in presence {
len- eternity"
SEES; And the monk refused to carry on tt
had conversation.
hen Rubens went away with his pupils, siler
no and sad.
,niy The prior went-back to his cell an,
ned kneeling down on the straw mat, whic
oc- served him as a bed, prayed fervently
i. God.
ter, Then he collected together his pencil
in his colors ard his easel, which were sea
ious tered about his CELL and cast them throur
ave the window into the river which fowt
~, TO beneath. He gazed, then, little viii
had SoIly ao tnooS 90 p"oso0 "a =
that men they nau enGiiely uisaPpeareu,
orn- knelb ooWn again anu pFayeo "iIn exec
E5 sive fervor.
are The author of the masterpiece was new
Lble known.
lself
men, A GHOST STORY-The town of Monso
orse Mass, has been for some time troubled
1s sappositious visitant from the spil
h or world. The ghost was in the form of
me- black-robed female, some six feet Gig
had inches tall, and of a singularly gaunt al
keep forbidding aspect. 1t appeared first to
ally youth who was going on his usual tt
Of weekly counting expedition, and caus