The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-08-01
VANDERLYN AND MISS BURR.
The Story of a Genius that Would Have
Dazzled Mankind Had the Shadows of a
Hopeless Love Not Fallen Upon 1t.

The Story of Genius that Would Have
Dazzled Mankind Had the Shadows of a
Hopeless Love Not Fallen Upon 1t.
An Observer, in New York Times.
John Vanderlyn, a country lad born
in 1776, who -oae to honor, knew many
of the choicestjoys Of the world, was
the friend of rulers on two continents,
and finally dying the victim of broken
heart at the age of 7G, lies in an un-
marked grave on the banks of the Hud-
son.
1t is strange story-that of John
Vanderlyn's career. A boy in the street,
with bit of charcoal and something
akin to impudence, he sketches on a
blacksmith's door carcature of 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 perpetrator. When
Aaron Burr went back to his law Office
in New York he took the lad with him.
He bought him books, directed his stu
dies, and finally placed him as pupil un-
der Gilbert Stuart. who, in Philadelphia,
was finishing his famous portrait of
Washington. Studies in Paris and Rome
followed. The charcoal sketcher of a
country town was developing into won
dsrful painter.
In competition at Paris, where all
the artists of Europe were striving for
honors, he places a cold, rough, harsh
picture-cold. rough and harsh at least
in contrast with the gaudy colorings
which all the rest of the world
hangs up. "Marius on the Ruins
of Carthage" he called it. The
old Roman hero was represented
sitting alone, sorrowful yet defiant, amid
the wreck of former glory. Napoleon
| walked through the great art gallery.
When he faced the picture he halted,
| came to a dead standstill, and in admira-
ton was mute for minutes. "Give the
| medal to that" he commanded. John
| Nanderlyn was famous And all the
Fates rushed forward to make him glad.
Aaron Burr was proud. He was CRATE
full, too, for fortune had dealt unkindly
with him meantime. He had striyen for
the Presidency of his country and had
| lost. The killing of Hamilton made him
an exile. Generous interest it was that
he received upon the money he had given
Nanderlyn, who was now hero in Eu-
ropes aristocratic circles. The artist
shared all his honors and all his gold
with his old-time beneiactor, the man
who had become to one hemisphere the
very personification of evil, and yet who
in earlier days, with no selfish aim or
hope, had taken from humble place
strange lad to spend money and affection
upon.
Biographical dictionaries and arts his
tories tell enough about Vanderlyn's pro-
fessional achievements. His "Ariadne"
is famous the world over. His panel in
the National Capitol of the "Landing of
Columbus" was done in answer to his
country's urgent request. All this every
body knows. l have learned something
widely differently, 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
relatives who NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of
brother-talk sometimes of romance
in his strange career. One of them has
talked to me, and have listened with a
deep interest.
John Vanderlyn loved Theodosia Burr
(Aaron Burr's only chld) and Theodosia
Burr loved John Vanderlyn. Reared at
susceptible ages in the same house, love
was not unnatural in a brotherly and
sisterly fashion; so far the great politi-
clan was pleased. A letter from Paris
that fell into his hands through the con-
fidence of his beautiful daughter, showed
him that the young artist was dividing
his time between sights in the Louvre
and thoughts in New York. In this let
ter John Nanderlyn poured out the story
of his strong affection, and asked the girl
to promise that some day, when place
and fortune should be won, she would be
his wife.
Aaron Burr first smiled, then scoffed,