The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-07-01
JOHN VANDERLYN.
His Fruitless Love for Theodosia Bul

When the American Historical Novc
comes into fashion I know of an un.
marked grave up the Hudson which will
tempt pilgrimages from the novelist. II
is tho grave Of one Of the most unique
figures in the history Of this Nations
first hundred years. John Vandcrlyn
q country lad born in 1776, who rose tc
honors, knew many of the joys Of the
world, was the friend Of rulers on two
continents, and finally dying the victim
of broken heart at the age of seventy
six, lies buried there.
It is strange story that Of John Van
derlyn's career. A hoy in the street,
with q bit of charcoal and something
akin to impudence, he sketches on q
blacksmith's door caricature Of a. visi.
tor to the little village Of Kingston.
That visitor was Aaron Burr, and he
saw the picture-saw it, smiled, and
asked questions about its pcrpetrator.
When Aaron Burr went back to his law
office in New York he took the lad with
him. He bought him books, directed
his studies, and finally placed him as a
pupil under Gilbert Stuart, who, in
Philadelphia was finishing his famous
portrait Of Washington. Studies in
Paris and Rome followed. The char
coal sketcher Of country town was
developing into wonderful painter.
In competition at Paris, where all
the artists Of Europe were striving for
honors, he places cold, rough, harsh
picture-cold, rough, and harsh at least
in contrast-with tie gaudy colorings
which all the rest Of the world hangs
up. "Marius on the Ruins of Carthage" )"
he called it. The old Roman hero repre-
sentcd sitting alone, sorrowful yet de-
fiant, amid the wreck Of former glory.
Napoleon walked through the art gal
lcry. When he faced the picture he halt
cd, came to dead standstill, and in admi-
ration was mute for minutes. "Givc the
medal to that" he commanded. John
Vanderlyn was famous. And all the
Fatcs rushed forward to make him
glad.
Aaron Burr was proud. He was
grateful, too, for fortune had dealt un-
kindly with him meantime. He had
striven for the Presidency Of his coun-
try and had lost. The killing of Hamil-
ton made him ON exile. Generous interest
it was that no received upon the money
he had given Vanderlyn, who was now
a hero in Europe's aristocratic circles.
The artist shared all his honors and all
his gold with his old-time benefactor,
the man who had become to one hcmis-
pherc the very 'personification of evil,
and yet whs in earlier days, with no
selfish aim or hope, had taken from an
humble place strange lad to spend
money and affection upon.
Biographical dictionaries and art his
tories 'e'l enough about Vandcrlyn's pro-
fessonal achievclnt nts. His "Ariadne"
is famous the world over. His panel in
the National Capitol Of "The Landing
OF Columbus" was done in answer 10
his country's urgent request. All this
everybody knows. 1 have learned
something widely different something
far more interesting, for as the world
goes love far outstrips professional
achievements. John Vanderlyn never
married. Why, has never been told in
print. The few residents who survive
descendants of brother-talk some
times of q romance in his strange
career. One Of them has talked to me,
and have listened with deep interest.
John Vanderlyn loved Theodosia
Burr-Aaron Burr's only child-and
-rhcodosia Burr loved John Vanderlyn.
Reared at susceptible ages in the same
house, love was not unnatural in q
brotherly and sisterly fashion; so far
the great politician was pleased. A let.
ter from Paris that fell into his hands,
through the confidence of his daughter
showed him that the young artist was
dividing his time between sights in tho
Louvre and thoughts in New York. In
this letter John Vanderlyn poured ou
rhe strong affection and asked the gir
to promise that some day when place
md fortune should be won, she woult
be his wife.
Aaron Burr first smiled, then scoffed
md finally, in anger issued orders
rheodosia obeyed. A dutiful girl sh'
was; for in doing her fathers will sh'
lid it knowing that there was more thar
light reason in his direction. He tolt
her plainly of other plans arranged TO
her; plans which sacrificed all Of he
own future to that Of the parent whom
she worshipped. Politics was at tn
bottom. This was before the histori
contest in Congress between Jefferson
and Burr for the Presidencv Aaro,