The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1874-08-02

Of the mind, transports their crime into the
sphere of the body.
Perhaps it is a real crime, but too subtle tt
be understood by them, that descends to theil
level, and pursues them under the appearance
of an external and sensible crime, the only
one which they can understand. There are
whimsical scruples which resemble madness
as exaggeration resembles falsehood Who
knows if these scruples are not the wander
ings, or, if you prefer it, the transpositions Of
remorse' Isay remorse. do not say repent
ance, for repentance enlightens, and remorse
blinds. Between repentance and remorse there
is an abyss the first gives peace, the second
destroys it. Perhaps conscience, not being
able to make itself felt by the guilty person or
its own ground, speaks to him, by way of re-
venge, in language coarse as himself, on his
own domain. Through terrible justice, il
makes him reproach himself with what ap
pears unjust on the surface, but which is q
thousand times just at the bottom. Conscience
which spoke in vain at the moment of the
crime, now arms itself against the criminal as
phantom. We are men here tonight, as we
appear to each other but who knows, if We
are not, for some one somewhere, at this mo-
ment, phantOmsf'
The doctor rose, and, taking the artist:
hand, said, do not know how much truth
there may be in your theory. I only know one
thing that you are man of genius, and if
had doubted it before, l am now convinced o
it, will reflect on your words-they open te
me q new horizon"
II have always been pursued by the thought
said the artist, " that there is a moment whor
a man understands for the first time what hs
has seen since his infancy. 1t is the day wher
the eyes of the mind open. 1t is this have
attempted to show in my picture-"The FRS
Glance" But as the horizon is constantly en-
larging, endeavor to throw upon everything
each time look which may call " The Firs
Glance" In the other composition, "Cain
after his Crime," 1 wished to show in Cain
not the melodramatic assassin, but vulgar
common man. The stgmata of anger, of which
he received the visible mark, opens to him thu
eyes of the soul. He throws upon his crime
first glance. There are spiritual Gains whose
arms are innocent. Perhaps there may be some
among the insane, OF whom we have spoken
and in that case there is more truth in thei
madness than in their previous sanity. Thei
insanity only deceives them about the mature
of the crime their sanity deceived then
about the crime itself.
The doctor was thoughtful He cook tn
artist aside, and in low tone said: "Shal
we leave together :" And they left.
After their departure the conversation turn
ed on what had just been said.
"Were you always materialist 7" asked on
person of his neighbor
| at is scarcely fair generous to choose thi
moment for such question:" was the reply.
GAS for me-" said a young lady, II don't lik
to hear NJ. Bayard talk. He is great artist
that admit but when he commences in tina
style, he worries me :"
Would it be indiscreet madame, to asl
you why ~ tmidly inquired a young man will
a badly-ted cravat.
because am afraid he is right in his opin
ions. 1 wish topass gaily through life; and
we believe what he says, life would he such
serious affair, we should have to think. Real
ly, to hear him, we can imagine ourselves sur
rounded with mysteries"
Il wish to see and study your picture o
Cain. l was going TO say your portrait o
Cain" said the doctor to the painter "for i
seems to me that you must have known hin
personally, from the manner in which yoI
have spoken to me of him."
perhaps have known him." said Paul
at any rate, come" - And they entered tn
studio.
Arrived before the picture, the doctor starte
back in surprise.
The portrait of Cain was that of the baron
horrible in the resemblance.
| There was on that face the GOODNESS of tn
| criminal and the horror of the cursed. Th
GOODNESS did not impair the horror, nor til
horror the GOODNESS; and from the mouth O
! Cain the spectator might expect to hear tn
! words that st. Bridget heard from the moutl
of Satan when he said to Cod
" o Judge! l am GOODNESS itself"
/ Indifference and despair were in those eyes
on those lips, and on that brow. But the dc
spair not heartrendins, for repentanc
was wanting, and this despair even appeared
expiatory, like justice eating its bread.
The doctor remained long while motionless
l