The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1883-03-10

that his answer always was that he WIS A
Nirginian; here were his home and family
ties, and much OF his Inspiration 10 labor
was drawn from negro life, seen TO best ad-
vantage in the south. MIR. Valentine
studio is set back from the quiet street.
The little dOOryard in front is marked by
shrubs and broken sculpture scattered
careleSsly about. In thecent of the room
is large platform on which is a work of
some size, out so enveioped in cloths that
nothing can be surmised concerning its
details. In one corner OF the room is the
famous recumbsnt eiiigy of General Lee
overhead, on shelves and brackets, are
small figures, many OF them known far and
wide, such rs knowledge is Power" a
small freedman whose painfal contest with
his book has eliminated in utter somuolent
collapse; THE Nations Ward" whose i'm.
pudent, grinning face is surmounled by a
cilapidated army cap, and bounded on the
south by ragged shirt aud one suspender
the Old Times" a pompous, deliberately
dressed old family servant of class now
extinct, and other works of similar or
more classic aim. The Lee statue, on which
Mr.. Valentines fame chiefly rests, is an
impressive figure. The Soldier lies in state,
clad in uniform, his sword beside him
the left arm is thrown across the body,
the right arm extended by the side. The
Inquire is placed IN strong light and a
branch of ivy has made its way in from
the outside caves and hangs over, nearly
touching the face. During the York
town celebration the foreign guests were
visiting the studio of +. Regamey, tho
artist, among them, when the Frenchman,
much struck with the statue, drew out his
sKetch-hook to sketch it. At this moment
a lady trom north Catalina, clad in deep
black, and unconscious of what was going
on, stood upon stool to get better view
of the upper part, and clasping her hands
before her, gaZed musingly down upon the
features of the dead soldier. Mr.. Regamy
struck with the scene, hastily begged the
sculptor to detan the lady in the position
for n few moments. Somewhat puzzled,
she acceded to Mr.. Valentines request not
to move, while Regamev, with his we'll
known rapidlty, dashed Off the sketch. A
short time ago Mr.. Valentino received q
letter from the artist, in which he recalled
the incident and informed him that hehad
worked it up into a painting for the salon.
THE Nations Ward" came to the studio
door on business connected with the proper
storage of load Of coal, and, his services
in the capacity of coal-heaver having
been declined, he had Just emitted a
piercing Whistle preliminary to stoning a
sNlhN plEtOll Nlltil It WAS ICCulltu 10 DaNt
his originality petriiied. He had come for
q quarter, and went away with fame. The
work being a success, Mr.. Valentine deter.
mined to make companion.p piece to it.
In the first he had depicted the incorrig
mischievous street boy, In the companion
work Is the CcOmpished house.servant,
odd Uncle Henry still TO be seen about
the streets of RichmNnd at the age of 90,
was coachman TO Mr. Valentines grand.
mother, and well remember, driving the
family to the Lafayette ball. Old q, he is
personal vanity still turks somewhere in his
neighborhood and crops out in the high.
collared coat, with a corner OF handker.
chief showing from the outside pocket, ruff.
fled shirt, massive bosom-pin, and self
appreciative smirk-al graphically brought
out in the bust The old man regards this
bust as tribute to unassuming worth and
much the most important work OF art in the
room.
Allusion has been made to the large GOV
cred figure in the centre of the room. Mr.
Valentine kindly removed the enveloping
cloths from this and disclosed what may
prove to be the work of his life, namely
AndrOmache at the departure of Hector
Mr.. Valentine has chosen the moment
when the hero has Just quilted his consort
with the words: But do thou going home
take care of thine own works, thy web and
distatf, and command thy maids to perform
their task; but war shall be care to all
the men who are born in Hum. and partic
ularly TO me-" (Iliad, vi. I90-473). An
dromache, her forebodings heavy upon her
sinks. half.fainting, into seat, with on,
arm instinctively pressing her boy to hel
side. The child, treasured by his father
caresses, smiles and plays with the jeweleC
necklace Of his mother. [Richmond Cor
| New York World.