Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-05-07
Written for The Evening Star.
A POET-ARTIST.
Thomas Buchanan Read, Author of "Sheri
dams Ride"-His Life i'm Italy,

Thomas Buchanan Read, Author of "sheri-
dams Ride"-His Life i'm Italy.
Rome was for many years the home
of the American artist-poet Thomas Bu-
chanan Read His apartments were in
stylish succeed building at the corner of the
Via Babuino and the Piazza di Spagna over
looking the noted Scala. DIR. and Mrs. Gould,
OF philanthropic fame, occupied suite in the
same house. From any of the windows on the
square may be seen the identical room in which
the itic-murdered boy, John Keats, died in q
arge dwelling at the lower side of the Scala.
Mr.. Reads studio was in the artist quarter of
the city near the American club, and at the
time OF the present writer's visit to it. in the
winter of 1872. contained a copy of the cele-
brated painting of .Sheriaan's Ride" the
original OF which MIR. Read presented to Gen.
Grant; "a capital design of ''Abou Ben Adhem."
which the artist had promised Leigh Hunt to
paint quarter OF a century before; an elabor-
ate representation o. the ANGELS at the Sepul-
chre;' and a beautiful little thing, The Bridal
Veil Fall in the Yosemite" where the waters
blend and braid with the flowing golden tresses
of a graceful maiden. Mr.. Reads favorite type
OF beauty was the blonde, which it NAV be no
improperly to mention, was in tender tribute
to his charming wife.
PLEASURE IN ENTERTAINING,
1t was delight to the poet painter to Law
lshly entertain any worthy fellow countrymen
visiting Rome; to feast them at his hospita BILE
board; to accompany them in rambles among
the eternal ruins, and at night to drive with
them to the accustomed haunts Of the Iazza-
roni and banditti, i'll whose estimation the
American artist was a sort Of king of the COM
mons. SO liberal was his customary laryess at
leaving. An osteria antica on the bank Of the
Iiber at the head Of the bridge
of San Angelo, the Nocturnal resort
of conspirators. assassins. convic.s and
other Italian outlaws equally dangerous,
was not unfrequently lighted up by the pres,
ence OF Mr.. Read with few disting uished stran-
ers in charge-major generals. governors or
honorable Senators at home, who were graft.
flying their curiosity to see the actual status of
criminal institutions abroad. Among Mr.,
Reads usual drives that to the tomb of
Ovid in the Campagna, Oh the road leading
from the Porta del Popolo, and several miles
distant from the city. The fact OF its being
did not mar III the poets mind the classic har-
mony of the spot.
GENIAL COMPANION.
At home or at the club and when the host of
a galaxy Of genial friends-for guest his peer
less generosity would seldom permit him to
be-Mr. Read Was wont to give easy rein to
conversation and daintily sip the froth and
foam Of fancy from the beaker brim of wit
His mind was we'll stored with memories of
notable persons and events. and stories of home
poets, such Poe. Halleck, Morris, Willis
and Sprague. were ever on his lips.
Sometimes on these bright particular occasions
when mrth and conviviality reigned supreme
mOnarchs of the festive hour, he could be in
duced to repeat one or two of his own poems
''Sheridans Ride" Drifting" Tho Brave at
Home" and Lines to Burns and Bryant" be-
lnY ha IN lfa0 Kan yuhA hax, h<.- L.
recite the glorious ride" will soon forget the
spirit and electric patriotism OF his voice and
bearing almost martial. Indeed, love of his
native land was noteworthy trait in his char
acter. He had served his country as a staff
officer with Gen. Lew Wallace in the west and
used to say that his shoulder straps were bigger
and brighter in his eyes than the fame no had
got as a ''dauber and rnymster.'
THE HEADQUARTERS OF THE BoHEMrANs
The Cafe Cavour on the Corso was the head
quarters Of the literati and artists of Rome, a
harbor where editors, authors, painters and all
brother bohemians might meet on a friendly
and familiar footing and enjoy the social
equality of sharing the same chop or steak and
discussing the news or gossip Of the day. Here
Mr.. Read was a welcome friend. and many q
needy writer or struggling artist was indebted
to his sympathy for cheering word aud hearty
hand-shake, or, better still, a satisfying meal
Mckay owed In part to Mr.. Reads wise counsel
anu tlmeiy aiu tue eStaDlsnment OF an English
enterprise, the Roman Times, the only Anglo.
Saxon journal then published in Italy.
Nor was Mr.. Read unnoticed Of royalty.
When Victor Emmanuel made Rome his capt.
tai the republican poet honored the king with
q copy of his works. Next day, the scarlet liv-
cry Of the kingdom of italy was to be seen at
Mr. Reads door, and Prince Umberto left
card in person for the American poet and
artist
In body Mr.. Read was slight and small, with
delicate features and silken hair and beard.
At times his manner was animated, when tho
eye would glow and the check would crimson
with enthusiasm, but his usual manner was
sedase and seIf-poised to q degree.
He had curious presentiment during the
winter Of 1912 that he would not survive his
ffticth birthday then ut hand. This idea %
fastened itself upon him that finding his
health failing him, his devoted wife thought
prudent to bring him home, and they had
hardly touched his native shores when the
dark and dreaded shadow fell
But few men possessed 80 many personal
friends for his tastes we're social and his natues
kindly, and but few poets have left to poster
ity so national and spirited legacy e that Of
his popular poem, "6heridan's Ride"
DAVID 0RAHAH ADxR