The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1875-10-29
" The Crucifix of the Devil. >
From LIE Clocher,

| From LIE Clocher,
The crucifix of the devil is preserved a
Rome, in the convent of the Capuchin Fri
ars of Monte Pincio piazza Barberini.) l
is a painting upon wood, thrilling in ap
pearance, and impossible, once seen ever tt
| be forgotten.
Visiting four years ago the studio of :
painter on glass, whose merit is only equal
ed by his modesty, a true artist, an austert
and fervent Christian, one of those wht
tell their beads but rarely make their for
tune, my eye was attracted by a strange
painting, copied from an old picture not
unknown to me. and which has curiou,
and touching legend.
Long ages past there dwelt in Rome {
all his patrimony in the widest debauch-
cry. Utterly ruined in money and credit
he had recourse, hke.so many others, to 6
famous usurer, that cunning and experien
ced tempter who, showing one day to the
Son of Man all the kingdoms Of the world
and the glory of them, had said to Him
"All this will give Thee, if falling down
Thou wilt adore me-"
At the first summons of his young client
the devil entered without any of his Gus.
tomary attributes; in simple citizens dress
and uncommonly like one of those unlicen-
sed bankers who are so common in our
Gay. The bargain was quickly made. In
exchange for his soul, duly guaranteed
by document properly signed and deliver
able, after death, at the requisition of the
lender, the prodigal was to receive more
money than was necessary to re-establish
his fortune; and to enjoy, until the disso-
luton of his mortal body, all that earth
could give; delight of the senses, consider
alton, influence, the intoxication of power,
in short, all that was purehasable with
gold in those far distant and barbarous
times.
However, ere the affair was concluded,
the borrower bethought himself of the ne
eessity of requiring some material proof in
attestation of the quality of the lender, and
to guarantee, SO far as might be possible,
the fulfillment of his promises. Therefore,
doubtless by the inspiration of his good
angel, he addressed the Son of the Morn
ing:
Since you are Satan, said he, you have
long haunted the world.
Since that day, whereon for my own ben
eft, / brought about the fall of the first
woman-Eve.
Then you must have surely encountered,
during the course of His immortal life,
Him whom we style Christ?
followed Him step by step, and render
ed to Him, to the best of my power, all the
evil which He wrought me.
You consequently saw him suffer upon
the cross; you witnessed his agony and
DEATH"
was the delighted spectator of His pas
sion, as was the cause and instrument
thereof. Tn rough the kiss of Judas be-
trayed Him, and delivered Him into the
hands of PLATE, through the medium of His
servants l smote Him; by the hands of the
executioners I crucifed Him, having pre-
previously scourge Him with rods. had
insulted him through the lips Of the Phari
sees, and sorrowed Him through the aban-
donment of His friends. it was who ten
dered him the sponge dipped in gall, and
pierced His heart with the lance of the
Centurion.
You could, therefore, paint His portrait
such as be was at His last moment, when
he exclaimed; g All is comsummated, and
that darkness envoloped the earth?
Undoubtedly, could readily do it, and
it would be perfectly true to nature.
Well then do it, pray you, ere my soul
be irrevoeably secured to you.
Forthwith, by two strokes of masterly
brush, stood out upon an ebony back
ground, the image of the crucifed Savior,
so true to life and so heartrending in its
reality, that the prodigal, sinking to his
knees, could not refrain from m aking the
sign of the cross, by that happy accident,
the devil disappeared, leaving in the hands
of his intended victim both the compact
and the painting.