Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-09-16

Ivy FANNIE H. BOWMAN.
20 beautiful hand !"


20 beautiful hand!"
In the wear 1878, no one in Rome was
more renowned In the art Of carving stone
than Giovanni Pichler. A pupil Of his
father. a nsNive Tyrolese. he had passed
his cniidhood snd early youth In Naples,
and at that time lad sailed with him over
to the eternal city. It Is related of Giovan-
nj. that he had inherhed the especially re-
markable technical skill of his father, and
had also distinguished himself by most
artistic taste. His canoes and intaglios
were true wonders of elegance and beauty
the demands for them became numberless.
Pichler's studio was visited by eminent
foreigners, and his collection of carved
stones belonged to the curiosiiies of Rome !;
one did not weary of admiring them anew,
again and again. and the old artist also.
His noble head. elegant form, and the
quietly proud bearing of his eutire de-
meanor, suited the ardusus and honorable
occupation, to which he devoted himself
with such unwearied enthusiasm, that,
frequently, he did not arise from his work,
all 0aJy !.Sng, and scarcely allowed himself
time to take food and drink, until his task
was finished. Did he consider gem sue
cessfully cut, then he brought it with a
beaming glance, to his old father and
mother, q radiant smile fitting over his
handsome face, II he heard from his lips
the simple words: 1T is well done,
Giovanni" as the highest praise he ever
gave at any time. The best connoisseurs
could only discriminate the works Of
Giovanni from the antique master pieces,
after a long and careful examination; it
Is asserted that the manner of handling his
tool must have been the very same as that
of his great namesake, Giovanni won Flor
ence, or of Nanni Carreole. Domenico
Compagnie; and Valerie Belli- Giovanni
Pichler, indeed, had copied the celebrated
head of Savanarola on Comedian so ac-
curately, that only his own eyes and those
Of his father. could distinguish the copy
from the original. When the old artist'
eyes were closed forever. the son mourned
so passionately for the dead-the best
Judge of his work-that he sank into the
deepest melancholy, and his industrious
hands rested idly in his lap. Every stone
reminded him of the artist; it seemed 10
him AS if he could not be deprived of his
advice; a profound discouragement stole
over him. His friends were solicitous
about him; they tried in every way to d.
vert him, and talked to him, until he
brought, finally, u fresh rose into his
gloomy house,-a cheerful, young wife
entered therein. 1t is true, she could ap-
preciate but slightly, or not at all, the
world. and soon he ceased wishing to
teach her to understand it. in order 10 open
her eyes and soul to the beautiful wonders
oT oha sv1r~
soothed him. and he worked as industri-
ously as heretofore. if Carlotta's low, PEN
sive voice sang the national airs Of Italy,
or her melodious laugh greeted his ear.
It was the second overwhelming sorrow.
that bowed him down, when his wife died
and left him frail. little child. A
But Therese's helplessness obliged him
to rouse himself, and 1t was blessing
that she required all his thoughts and
cares. From this bequest of his wife ac-
rued,Igradually. for him, the light and
consolation of his artist life.
Therese Lad shown from her earliest
childhood, not only the most passionate
interest in the rare workmanship of her
father, but at the same time, an astonish-
ing talent for it, Her slender, delicate
hand learned in trice the difficult art OF
stone carving; she watched her father
scarcely leaving his side. As
she grew up she did not long for the usual
Joys and amusements Of young maidens =
serious as was her uniolded. wonderful
beauty, so was the complete bent of her
mind. While her companions delighted
in gay attire. laughed, danced. loved and
were beloved in return. she was absorbed
in the study Of art, and Of those models
and casts. exhibited SO lavishly in her
iather's collection. and In those Of Rome.
One day she surprised her father with
cerefully executed designs of the sorrow
full Achilles. and of the proud head Of Ju-
lius Cesar. The artificer. fearful with
Joy, embraced his child. and from that
time Therese worked near him day by
day, in his studio. 1t was charming pic
ture to see always the girls graceful form.
with the head Of Juno, near the still
handsome man, bowed over the stone-the
exquisite tool in her hand-surronnded by
the rarest subjects Of ancient art. A visitor
might have looked more at the living
cameo. than at those carved masterpieces.
1t was young clergyman. Vincenzo
Monti, afterwards most learned scholar,
who asserted. ut the sight OF this hand.
that the stone of Polycratcs' ring could
only have been cut by such hand, and
formed in the light of such eyes.
Perhaps Therese appeared even more
beautiful at the harp. than at this calmly
quiet occupation. All her movements
were of truly classic grace; the play Of
her arms and hands was as pleasing as
the tones themselves, and her powerful,
vet sweet voice. when she sang the songs
of Metastasio, the favorite poet of her
father-enchanted all minds. Monti soon
belonged to the regular guests Of that ar
tist-household, and it happened, as hap
pens fortunately. every day, even now, a
deep, strong passion arose in . mans
heart, . passion that is ready to set aside
everything tor the attainment Of its one
object, that surmounts all hindrances, and
wins happiness The young abbot loved
the artists daughter; he saw his love re-
turned. threw aside the priestly vesture.
renounced career full of splendor and
honor, that was opened for him through
the favor Of the Pope. and became the
knaknNA Ar tha ha AaNsvNaaf Snafr3nU In