The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1873-01-25
Sing,sL0r StratGgems.

Undue prepossession against or in favor OF some
object is as much to be guarded against as any
| other irrational prejudice. 1t is not uncommon
to hear people reply when some particular dish is
offered them. 'Thank you, | have never eaten
any, and nothing couldpersuade me to touch il"
Such prepossession scarcely would be pardon
able in women or children.
An anecdote is related in the life of Talna,
which has formed the subject of drama.
poor strolling player, universally rejected,
arrived, at his wits ends in a city where the il
lustriousactor was expected. A bright idea fash
| ed across bis mind TO personate Talma as whom
be accordingly announced himself. The author
tiles of the town hastened to offer their homage
The theatre was crowded and all the world co.
raptured with his Performance. In the midst o.
his popularity, the real Talma arrived but fore
seeing that prepossession once established in
favor of the imitator was not likely to be easily
reversed, departed without making ghimselfknown.
The chances are that be would have been bissed
With regard to literary predictions the works
of an unknown author, however meritorious,
often lie mildewed the shelf, while some trash,
protected by favorite name, becomes popular.
The admirable leading articles of Benjamin Con-
slant produced no effect till be signed them with
his well-known name, when their merit was in
stantly recognized When Michael Angelo first
exhibited the productions of his chisel they were
treated as far inferior to the sculptures of the an
cieut world. In the seclusion of his studio, and
| unknown to any ors, be accordingly sit to work
on statue of Cupid; of which he broke off the
the arm, and concealed the mutilated statue in
the midst of the excavations making by the Pope
When the statue was discovered, all Rome fell in
10 ecstaces pronounciug it TO be the work of
Phdas or Praxiieles Michael Angelo immedi-
ately produced the mutated arm, aud his former
critics became rebuked in silence I
Teniers also exposed the unjust preiudices of
his countrymen, who undertaking his paintings,
they sold far short Of their value Having pre-
viously published report OF bis death and burial,
be instructed his wife to assume widows weeds,
and after certain time. to announce the sale OF
the paintings Of her deceased husband The
stratagem succeeded his very detractors enhanc-
ing the value of The works Teniers afterwards
returned TO bis native country, and resumed his
labors, which were never afterwards disparaged
The famous physician Portal turned to good
account the prejudice that prevails in favor Of
fashion. Established in the capital, he was some
time without obtaining practice AT length, be
devoted all his means to the purchase of beau |
tiful equpage, and sent it every day to stand be-
fore the door Of illustrious patients. Of course |
the numerous inqurers after the invalid could |
not fail to remark the beautiful equipage of the |
physician in every quarter of the town and the |
marchioness Immediately determined to try the |
physician of the duchess and Uice versa, till in
short time, Portal received applications from all
quarters, calling in his advice to the noblest suf
ferers. Thus he founded reputation to which |
he subsequently proved himself justly entitled.