The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-11-25
THE CRUCIFlX OF THE DEVIL.



The crucltix OF the devil is preserved
at Rome in the convent of the Capuchin
| Friers Monte Pincio Piazza Barbarini). J.
| 1t is a painting upon wood, thrilling in
appearance, and impossible, once seen,
ever to be forgotten.
Visiting four years since the studio Of
la painter ON glass, whose merits is only
equaled by his modesty, a true artist, an
austere and fervent Christian, one OF
those who tell their beads, but rarely
make their fortune, my eye was attract
ed by strange painting, copied from an
old picture not unknown to me, and
which has curious and touching
| legend.
Long ages past there dwelt in Rome a
young man of noble birth, who had vested
his entire patrimony In, the widest de-
bauchery. Utterly ruined in money and
credit, he had recourse, like SO many
others, to that famous usurer-that cum
ming and experienced tempter, who,
showing one day to The Son of Man all
the Kingdoms of the world aud all the
glory OF them, had said to him, "All this
! [ will give thee, il, falling down, thou
| wilt adore me-"
At the first summons of his young
client, the devil entered without any OF
his customary attributes, in simple citi-
lZen's dress, and uncommonly like one of
those unlicensed bankers VINO are SO nu-
| merous in our day. The bargain was
quickly made. In exchange for his soul,
duly guaranteed by document properly
signed, and deliverable after death, at
the requisition of the lender, the prodi-
gal was to receive more money than was
necessary to re-establishhi his fortune, and
to enjoy until the dissolution of his NOR.
j tai body all that earth could give-de.
4 light of senses, consideration, influence
the intoxicatlon of power, in short al
that was purchasable with gold in those
far distant and barbarous times.
However, ere the affair was conclud-
ed. the borrower bethought himself Of
the necessity OF requiringsome materia
in attesLation of the quality of the lend
er, ana to guarantee, as far as might be
possible, the fulfillment OF bis promises
Therefore, doubtless by inspiration O
the good angel, he addressed the fallen
!, son OF the morning:
.Since you are Satan," said he, show
long have you haunted the world?''
"Since tnat day, whereon, for my owr
benefit, brought the fall OF the woman
1--we"
"Then you must assuredly have en-
cuuntered, during the course of His III
I nocent life, Him whom we style Christi
II followed Him, step by step, ant
rendered to Him, to the best of my pow
er. all the evil which He wrought me-"
: aYou consequently saw Him suffer OF
f the cross; you witnessed His agony ant
DEATH"
: II was the delighted spectator of Hii
passion, as l was the cause and instru
! ment thereof. Through the kiss Of Juda
| | betrayed Him, and | delivered Him in
to the hands of Plate; through the medi
um OF His servants smote Him; by tn,
. hands of the executioners / cruciiet
Him, having previously scourged Hin
with rods. had insulted Him by th,
: Hips of Pharisees, and sorrowed Hin
. through the abandonment of his friends
| 1t was who rendered Him the sponge
Idipped in gall, and | pierced His near
with the lance of the Centurion"
"You could, therefore, paint His por
-ltrait such as He was at His last moment
when He exclaimed, 'All is consumma
Ited,' and that darkness enyeloped tn
earthW
"Undoubtedly, could readily do il
and it would be perfectly true to ma
: lturev
swell, then, do it, l pray you, ere M
{ Isoul be irreyocably secured 10 YOU"
S Forthwith, by two strokes OF his mas
' Iterly brush, stood out upon an ebon
. Underground the image of! the crucitiet
Saviour, SO true to life and SO heart
n lrending in its reality that the prodigal
Q sinking on his knees, could not refrai
I lirom making the sign OF the cross. B,
THAT happy accident the devil disap
g lpeared, leaving IN the hands OF his III
o Itended victim both the compact and th
Z Ipaintlng.
!. Rather s.EccentrIc.''