Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-12-01
NO. $50.
Lincoln sits for a Life. mask.

CAS- told by the sculptor volk in The
Century for December.)
..He was there promptly-indeed, he never
failed to be on time NY studio was in the
fifth story. and there were no elevators in
those DAYS, and soon learned to distinguish
his steps on the stairs, and am sure he
frequently came up two, if not three, steps at
stride. When he sat down the first time in
that hard, wooden, low-armed chair which
still possess, and which has been occupied
hy Douglas, Seward, and Generals Grant
and Dix, he said;
MIR. Volk. l have never sat before to
sculptor OF painter-oniy for daguerreotypes
and photographs. What shall dc!'
IL told him would only take the measure
ments of his head and shoulders that time.
and next morning, Saturday. would make
a cast of his face. which would save him u
number of sit,ings. He stood up against the
wall aud made mark above his head, and
then measured up To il from the floor, and
said:
You are Just twelve inches taller than
Judge Douglas, that is, just six feet one
inch
Before commencing the cast next morn
ing, and knowing Mr.. Lincoln's fondness for
a story, | told him one, in order to remove
what | thought an apprehensive expression
as though he feared the operation might bs
dangerous; and this is the story
Il occasionally employed little black
eyed. black haired, and dark skinned Italian
as a foYmatore in plaster work, who had
related TO me a short time before that him
self and a comrade image-vender were doing
Switzerland by hawking their images. One
day, a Swiss gentleman asked him If he could
make his likeness in plaster. oh, yes,
sgnor; am a sculptor So Matteo Mattel
such was the name of the pretender-got
some plaster, laid the big Swiss gentleman
on his back, stuck quill in each nostril for
him to breathe through, and requested him
to close his eyes. Then Mat, AS | called
him. poured the soft plaster all over his face
and forehead then he paused for reflection;
as the plaster was beginning to set he became
frightened, as he had never before under
taken such job, and had neglected to pre-
pare the face properly, especially the gentle
mans huge beard, mustache, and the hair
about the temples and forehead, through
which of course, the plaster had run and
become solid Mat made an excuse to go
outside the door-'then, said he, run
like.
II saw Mr.. Lncoln's eyes twinkle with
mirth.
"'lIow did he get it OFF, said he.
Il answered that probably, after reasonable
waiting Tor the scHNort. ne hau To break II
off. and cut and pull out all the hair which
the tenacious plaster touched, the best way
he could. Mat said he took special pains
to avoid that particular part of Switze rland
after that artistic experience. But his com
panion, who somewhat resembled him, not
knowing anything of his partner performance
was soon after overhaucd by the gentleman
and nearly cudgeed to death.
Upon hearing this, the tears actually
trickled down Mr.. Lincoln's bronzed checks,
and he was at once in the best of hnmors.
He sat naturally in the chair when | made
the cast, and saw every move ! made In
mirror opposite, as put the plaster on with
ont interference with his cyesight or his free
breathing through the nostrils. II was about
an hour before the mold was ready to be
and being all in one piece, with
both ears perfectly taken. it clung pretty
hard. as the cheek-bones were higher than
the jaws at the lobe of the ear. lie bent his
head low and took hold Of the mold and
gradually worked il of without breaking or
injury; it hurt little, as few hairs of the
tender temples pulled out with the plaster,
and made his eyes water but the remembrance
of the poor Swiss gentleman evidently kept
him in good mood"