Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-04-03
5ARKIN g. MEADE rHESCULproR.
4 visit TO his Studio Ia BrattIeboFo in
1880,

4 visit 70 his Studio Ia BrattIeboFo in
1880,
From the Springfield Republican,
Reading Mr.. Helley's extraordinary
charge against American artists in Flor
ence brings TO mind pleasant call at artist
Meade's studio when he was at work upon
the statue of Ethan Allen in Brattleboro,
VI. The American institute of instruction
was in session in the village, and the place
was full of strangers. 1t was my good for
tune to be in company with a member of
the institute, an experienced AMI success
ful teacher, who was also an accomplished
and intelligent woman and a real lady.
Just before reaching the studlo-a rude
shanty of rough boards standing close to
the dusty highway, little below The rail-
way station-we met bevy of gay girls
taking rather cxcitedly. "He won't let
You in they informed us gratuitously,
"just as well turn back with us, for he has
locked the door," The younger ones of
our party began to express their regrets,
but Miss B said, 1--WE will go on and
see for ourselves" On reaching the closed
door she tapped softly and 1t was immedi-
ately opened by the artist himself, who
apologized for its being fastened by saying
that he had been somewhat annoyed dur
ing the morning by rude and meddlesome
curiosity.
We were cordially invited to enter and
calamity assisted TO do so, as the doorway
Of the rude structure was SOME distance
from the ground and there was no step.
Mr. Meade did the donors very gracefully.
1t was small room fitted up with view
TO business, but we entirely lost sight Of
the rude surroundings in our admiration
for the work in progress. The statue of
Ethan Allen was nearing completion, and
bright looking Italian was chipping away
at the left hand and arm. Seeing our sur
prise depicted in our faces, l dare say he
explained, that the Italians being trained
to the work from childhood acquired ra-
pidity of movement and nicely of finish
almost impossible for an American to at
tain; that the plastic art was entirely his
own, and he displayed his model, which
was hid from view by a rough partition.
Having in mind the charming story of the
"Sncw Image" which had fascinated me
from childhood, 1 regarded this slight
handsome youth in his gray blouse and ar
lists cap, pushed up of his high, broad
forehead, with no little interest and awe, a
bowling in spirit before his rare gift, and
was almost shocked when the vivacious
Young lady from Maine who was of our
purity declared that "she should now re-
turn home happy in the consciousness of
having seen living genius" Mr.. Meade
bowed and smiled gravely; and in ac-
Acknowledgement Of the compliment, perhaps,
went down on his knees and under the
framework that held the statue, in obedi-
ence to halfexpressed wish of hers for
fragment Of marble TO take home as tro-
phy-we have ours now, grown yellow by
time, but priced none the less.
The artist was himself at work upon
little figure called "Inspiralion," intended,
he told us, as present for his sister, Mrs.
Howells, l think. One uplfled hand and
the face was finished. The expression was
perfect. remember ii as well as if had
seen it but yesterday. 1t was the first stat
nary l had ever seen, and 1 received an
impression of "the soul imprisoned and
emerging from the block Of marble which
no completed figure could ever have given
me.
VII sHuhluS HauuH III parting, our cudplr-
one thanked the artist for tho pleasure he
had given us, and he replied, modestly,
that since true appreciation was always
pleasant he must consider himself the
obliged party. So ended our personal ac-
quain,ance with the artist Meade, but W.
have known him by reputation from boy
hood. 1t is talented family, and his nat
ural genius Is not TO be questioned. So, in
spite Of Mr.. Stephen Webster Healoy we
intend to prove true to our first love-for
art-and 10 believe in Larkin G. Meade TO
The end. T.
\ correspondent of the Boston Globe,
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