The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1878-03-07
attnAEL ANGELO AND Hns Ftasr
WORE

AAAtHA ~ At3Haff MAAAAei Ahketo Dau1
sFosli, was born Ia TascAuy in 1874 III
WAS put out 70 nurse to ibe wife Of
/. sculptor, and may therefore BE- said Il
hsve sucked sculpture ia bis very milk.
= lie entered The studio Of Ghialandsj.
z Al The age Of thirteen, aud periorme,
feats uutqualed 10 the annals OF art II,
seldom bad his work corrected, IS hi
copy always surpassed the original Iii
master being a superior mau himself, auC
capable OF Appreclsting talent wherever
found, encouraged bis pupil 10 these de
velopmenis Of youthful excellence. No
80 with bis companions. They could no
look upon their young rival with compla
, eency for genius OF this character could
not be suffered TO exist 10 a lad Of thir
teen years. Michael Angelo, had, there
fore, TO endure their III treatment.
. Once our youthful artist took occasion
to eriueise the design Of one Of BIS fellow
workmen, and thereupon be received
! such blow from the exasperated man
that 1t broke the cartilage OF his nose
from which cause It remained crooked
through lite,
One day Angelo entered the grounds oi
the Medici lie there behed treasures oi
art, which Lorenzo the Magnificent had
collected, such as be had never beheld
before. Struck with their antique beauty,
All instructive Jealousy prompted him, not
only 10 initiate, but to excel these exqui-
site productions. Procuring a block OF
marble, be Invested himself OF bis outer
garments, aud seizing a chisel aud ham.
mer be began the outlines Of faun's
head. [Among the Romans, Faun is a
Kind Of denigod, or rural deity, called 81
so Sylvan, and differing from Satyr. The
fauns are represented as half goat and
half man
! The studio OF his former master was
deserted by him, TO the no small gratif.
cation of his fellows, who rcjoiced that
they were at last rid of their detested and
hated rival, whose only crime consisted
in his surprising talent.
One day, as Michael Angelo was fn-
ishing bis faun's head, man of about
forty, exceedingly plain in feature, and
dressed with the greatest negligence,
stopped opposite him, and silently oh.
served him as he worked. Michael An
gelo labored with ardor, without taking
the slightest notice of the unknown, for
whom he cared about as much as for the
dust that fell beneath his chisel
When be had given the finishing stroke
TO his work, the young man drew back,
after the manner OF artists in general, so
as better 10 Judge of tho effect of his per
fofmauce, with which he appeared per-
feclly satisfied. This was apparently The
moment awaited by the silent spectator
OF the scene, who, slowly advancing, laid
bis hand on the young sculptor's shoul-
der.
Friend, said he, with slight smile,
will you allow me to make one remark?
Michael Augelo turned round With as.
surance, and with an air combining con.
tempt and insolence.
A remark Your said he, slowly.
Or, in other words, if you like it bet
ter, criticism, continued the stranger.
On my faun's head?
On your faun's head, quietly answered
the unknown.
Aud pray who are YOU, sir, who thus
assume right to criticlse my labor?
IL can matter little to you who am, If
my criticism is correct, said the stranger. |
And pray who is to decide between US
which of the two is right?
Yourself, if you wish ii.
Well, sir, let us hear speak said Mi |
chaeI Angelo, folding his arms with an
air of defiance.
Have you not intended to represent
the griuniug head Of an Old faun? asked
the stranger.
Certainly Is easy enough to be
seen.
Well, suggested The critic, smiling,
where did you ever see MI old man with
a perfect set Of teethy
The young man reddened up to the
eyes at this remark, aud bit bis lip with
vexation. The criticism was just one
and, waiting till his inlerlocuter had dis.
be took bis chise, aud with a
couple OF blows knocked out two Of the
faun's teeth; as il was now late he re
solved 10 return the next day aud put a
finishing stroke to his work.
The following morning At an early
hour Angelo repaired to the garden, but
10 bis great surprise, his iaun had dissp.
peared, aud iu its place WAS posted the
stranger Of the day before.
Where is my head? angrlly asked the
young sculptor.
II has been removed by my orders,
quietly answered the unknown.
And who are you, sir, who has thus
dared to give orders 10 the gardens Of
Lorenzo the Magnificent!
Follow me, and you shall learn, said
the stranger.
shall certainly follow you, aod oblige
you 10 return my fann's head.
Perhsps you will be glsd 10 let ii re.
main where tits
We shall See
We sball see.
Tie stranger took The way 70 The pal-
ace With the same tranquil manner, aud
was preparing 10 ascend the grand stair
case, when The young msu, selling Bic
Afms with sn exclamation between dmid.
Iiy and anger said