The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-12-25


The enemies were stricken
The birds had sealed their doom.
Each morn the ia thfUl sea gulls
Their ayenging work renewed,
Until the pest departed,
And the harVests rescued stood.
Away then flew the Eaviors
Across the lake afar
But still we hear the story
How they waged their holy war"
So in the land of Utah,
AS they come and go at will.
They are ever upmolested,
And thus it is that still
They are SO tame and friendly,
Nor know they aught Of fear
But light and fly at pleasure,
Now far away. now near.
July 21.-While looking over some photo
graphs last evening we CHANGED upon the
portrait of M. Henri Chapu, MIR, Dallin's
professor in Paris; this directed the con-
versation to stories Of art and artIsts.
After we had looked some time at the
sculptor's face, description of him as
master was given to US. When the pro-
fessor entered the class room the babel YVES
hushed and everywhere were silence and
respectful atten ton. The teachers method
of criticism was one which inspired in the
pupil respect for his master, humble
opinion of his own power, and determi-
nation to do more truthful work.
Standing before Students sketch, the
master would cast glance at it, and then,
directing the pupils attention to the model,
would perhaps say: do you see that
beautiful linel Compare it with your
work." or he would call attention to crud-
tiles; or, he would sometimes say: "You
have not caught the feeling; you must
work more from the heart ana not so much
! from the head.''
Chapu's personality evoked such enthu-
siasm, and his mental attitude was so dom
mating, that under his guidance the pupil,
having become his own critic, was pos
sessed with desire to make his hand tell
/ in the clay the great and beautiful truths
revealed to his mind.
Ever inspiring, ever leading to truer in
sight and to higher ideals, it is not strange
that this man, whose work is an express
sion of his own great mind, should have
won the love and admiration of his pupils,
and that they looked on him as indeed their
master.
The following story Of Chapu's studen t
life shows some Of his traits as a young
man. While he was studying in Paris he
was very poor and lived with his mother in
some obscure quarter of the city. In one
of the annual competitions for the Prix de
Rome, the competitors, among whom was
Chapu, were obliged to submit bas-reliefs
Chapu at this time had won from his fell
low students an appreciation of his strong
work and a genuine regard as well. All
believed that Henri Chapu would receiv e
the prize though all awaited the decisive
day with mingled hope and fear. At last
it came; but by some unfortunate accident
while Chapu's relief was being moved in
order to send it to the appointed place. it
fell to the floor; and his work-the result
of many hours of devotion and toil-lay
shattered before him.
Overcome with grief and disapp intment
he rushed home to his mother who was
waiting for him with fond expectancy, told
her of his misfortune, and lay down and
wept like child.
The next morning after the prize had
been awarded, the students went in body
to Chapus home and asked for their CON-
rade His mother told them that her son
was i'll, having wept all night. They re-
piled, ave have come to tell you that
Henri has received the prize" "Impossi-
blel'' cried the mother; che told me thai
his work was ruined.' Nevertheless he
has received the prize" they said ioyfully
Henri could not believe such glad tidings
but when he learned that his comrades
upon bearing of his misfortune, had has
tened to his studio and carefully put the
pieces together that he might have fail
chance, he was convinced of the truth, anc
his heart must have been full of deeI
gratitude for the noble generosity of his
ow-competitors.
The relief showing the pieces put to
gether by loving hands may now be seen il
Paris, with other works honored by lik
award.
The foregoing suggested another stor.
of sculptor. In the year IS, in Paris
towards the close of a winters day,
young sculptor was striving TO finish TO
the salon statue. OF Mercury, a beautifu
work which was admired by all the artist
in the quarter. Like many who follow hi
calling, he was poor, SO poor, indeed, tina
though it was bitterly cold he could affor
no fire. At last night came, and the sculI
tor went to bed, though not to sleeI