Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1873-03-20
g 1 VIII TrY.n

81 VIII Try"
There is a society in London, known
as the Society of Arts Its object is the
encouragement of talent in the depart
ments of art. Prizes are awarded by
the society, sometimes to thepainters for
their pictures, and sometimes to hum
bier artisans for improvements in weav-
ing, or in the manufacture of bonnets,
lace, etc.
More thar half century ago, little
fellow, named William Ross, not twelve
years of age, was talking with his mother
about IN exhibition of paintings at the
society's rooms. William was very fond
of paintings, and could himself draw and
color with remarkable skill Look
you, William, said his mother, 90 [ saw
some painting in the exhibition which
did not seem to me half as good as some
of yours"
"Do you really think so, mother ?"
asked he.
81 am sure of it." she replied. 81
saw some paintings inferior, both in color
and drawings, to some that are hanging
In your chamber.
fatterer, and he said, 81 have mind
to ask permission to hang one or two of
my paintings on the walls at the next ex-
| hibition +"
"Why not try for one of the prizes %
asked his mother.
"Ol mother, do you think I should
stand any chance of success ?"
"' Nothing venture, nothing have, !"
said his mother ''You can but try"
(" And will try, mother DEAR" said
William. 81 have historical subject
in my head out of which [ think I can
make a picture. y
"What is it, William ?"
"The death of Wat Tyler. You have
heard him? He led mob in the time
of Richard the Second. He behaved in
solently before the King at Smithfeld,
and was struck down by Walworth,
Mayor of London, and then dispatched
by the Kings attendants.
&C 1t is a bold subject, William but I
will say nothing to deter you from try
ing it.
"If fail, mother, where will be the
harm I can try again
"To be sure you can, William. So we
will not be disappointed should you not
succeed in winning the silver palette,
offered by the society for the best his
torical painting"
Without more ado, little William went
to work. He first acquainted himself
with the various costumes of the yea1
1881 he learned how the King and the
noblemen used to dress, and what sort
of clothes were worn by the poor people
, and workmen, to which class Wat Tyler
belonged He also learned what sort Oh
, weapons were carried in those days.
| After having given some time to the
, study of these things, he acquainted
himself thoroughly with the historical
incidents attending the death of the bolt
) rioter. He grouped, in imagination, tn,
: persons present at the scene-the Kine
: and his attendent :; Walworth the Mayor
$ Wat Tyler himself, and in the back
ground some of his rufianly companions
The difficulty now was to select tina
period of the action best fitted for pic
ture, and to group the figures in att
tudes the most natural and expressive
s Many times did little William make
: sketch on paper, and obliterate it. dis
# satisfied with his work. At times he al
It most despaired of accomplishing any
) thing that should do justice to the cor
o ception In his mind. But after man
,, ldlluIcS, Ho COIupiob6U " SKETCH III WHO
e he decided to transfer to canvas.
il He now labored diligently at his tasl
n and took every opportunity to improv
IS himself in a knowledge of colors an
it their effects. At length the. day fe
n handing in his picture arrived. He the
i. had to wait month before there Wa
"a any decision as to it's merits. On til
L day appointed for the announcement
lie the decision, many persons of distinctio
if were present, including ladies. I'll
e meeting was presided over by the Duh
lie of Norfolk
/; Williams mother was present, {
Ii course She sat waiting the result, wit
|; beating heart. What gratifed moth,
as she was, wher, after the transaction
ic some uninteresting business, it was al
s, nounced that the prize of silver pallet
y for the best historical picture WI
awarded to the painter of the piece e
titled, "The Death of Wat Tyler"
u When itwas found that William Ro
ct was the successful artist, the applau
ed of the audience broke forth with e
Id thusiasm. To see such little fellc
e. gain prize over competitors of matu
it. age was a novelty and surprise. Villa
Ir- was summoned with his picture to t
Dukes chair, and here he received su
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