The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-01-25
Entered at the Post Office at Richmond, Va, as
second-class matter.
CORRESPoNDENC
Letter on Italy.

h0UO0I Oh
Messrs. Editors,-In our correspond
ence hitherto, we have written for the
most part for the benefit of adults, and
now, with your permission, we desire to
devote the whole of this letter to your
youthful readers, in the hope that we may
interest and encourage them.
In the palace of Tutti at Florence is a
Statue of Venus,
famous throughout Italy and all the
world This statue, as we'll as many
others of equal merit, were produced by
an artist who was indebted to an appar-
emily trivial circumstance for the open
ing of his illustlous career. When a
child, this artist fed from the home of
his step-father, unable to endure the cold
ness of his step-father and mother, and
with small bundle slung on the point
OF stick over his shoulder, appeared at
the door of his grandfather, whose cot
tage was little better than four stakes, a
few stones, and little straw
l could not stay any longer at home, -
said the boy, as he threw his little packet
on the floor.
"And for what reason, inquired the
old man, as he led the child into his cabin.
l was unhappy, and they left me to
myself; L complained, and they left me
to complain; and no one said What all
eth thee little one?' l said to myself,
There is my grandfather who lives alone,
who loves children, and l will 90 and
live with him Are you gone to sleep
grandpapa, instead of listening"
"No, no, all right Now lie down on
this fresh straw. You can remain with
me and I will make you master mason.
ooh, mason is not the incest trade. "
You'll see what a nice one it is"
What putting one stone on the top OF
another? Always stones?
Is it marble then you would wish for,
you little madcap"
Certainly that would be better and
more precious too
Well then, stop chattering and go to
sleep"
The next day Pasino awoke Antonio
early, and after having offered up to-
gether short prayer, and partaken of a
frugal breakfast, they wended their way
to the Faliero palace, where the mason
had been working for some days past
But it was all in vain that he attempted
to keep his grandchild at work, for the
little fellow was always mixing up mud
instead of squaring stones. The old man
could never turn his back for a moment
but the little Antonio was busy making
either Venus or a Policinello, or pre-.
pairing clay with his trowel for the fig
ures he wished to fashion Andif Pasinc
scolded him, he would say, But you see
grandpa, / am so tired.
But what are you doing now?'
Making blessed Virgin and child.
And the poor grandfather, who for the
most part could discover nothing but a
shapeless mass of clay, rather than dis
appoint the boy would praise the beauty
OF the Virgin or the grace of the child
and prophesied that his "little man
would one day become famous mason
On the approach of an historical ami
versary, the Duke of Faliero gave orders
that a grand banquet should be prepared
in honor Of the festival. OH if you could
have seen the simmering e-pans-the
spits that groaned under the weight OF
pheasants, fowls, ducks, chickens-the
spiced meats, the savory pastries, the rich
lellies, the fragrant fruits of every sort
and hue, it would have opened your eyes
as wide and made your astonishment as
great as that Of Antonio, who glided in
amongst the cooks and assistants smell
ing all those fine things Of which he had
never formed an idea before
All on sudden, and Just as dinner
was about to be served, the maior-domo
uttered loud cry, and as if in despair,
exclaimed ".Oh unhappy creature that
am. Oh, unfortunate Pietro. I am
ruined, and with me the illustrious house
Of Faliero.' At this moment, while the
poor man was finishing his soliloquy, the
duke himself happened to pass and in