The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-05
STORY OF A PAINTING
ROSA B0NHEUR PUT FIVE YEARS
INTO HER LIF'E's MASTERPIECE.
Her Great Picture OF an Equine Duel
Given to the World ON Her Sew
enty-Fourth birthday.
London Letter in Boston Transcript.

London Letter in Boston Transcript.
There need be no hesitation about whence
10 direct the attention of one who seeks
that which will appeal most strongly to
the lover of art. nature and emotion in
London at the present moment. 1t will not
be TO the new Gilbert and Sullivan opera,
which on the whole is disappointing, or to
any other playhouse; nor to the new orato-
rio or any Of the numerous concert stages
1t is to small room in King street, where
on Monday last was exposed to view the
last and greatest masterpiece by that won
derful woman. Rosa Bonheur. / say last
rather than latest. because the veteran ar
fist will never attempt another chef
d'oeuvre. IT was upon her seventy-fourth
birthday that she gave this final creation
OF her genius to the world. 1t occupied
five years OF her life, and although she still
enjoys in remarkable degree that vigor and
energy which are the most wonderful feat
ure of this her last production, she will not
challenge fate by again discounting heavily
at natures bank of the future.
The subject of the picture as the readers
OF the Transcript already know, doubtless,
is the duel between the two stations. the
Godolphin Arabian and Hobgoblin- The
story of that duel is the most thrilling
equine romance ever recorded. NIlle Bon
hours picture will make it familiar
throughout the world, as it already is in
the pages Of equine history. 1 cannot for
bear quoting certain of it's principal feat
ures from the version given by Mr.. F. c.
Stephens in brochure which was distrib-
uted among the visitors at the private view
on Monday:
1T appears that, some time about 172S-
1871, the then hey OF Tunis, magnifco Of
the first rank among the vassals of Achment
III, the then grand Turk, desiring to ingra--
tiate himself with Louis XIV, the Grand
Monarque himself. had dispatched not fewer.
than eight barbs as presents to that great
king. the Soliel Royal of France. They were
horses of the purest blood and long descent;
of, so to say, the veritable blood royal of the
regency and its deserts, where they were
valued at prodigious prices, and the gift,
a whole, was such as only monarchs could
give or take Among these eight barbs the
name affirms their Arabian origin) was. a
young stallion of ultra-distinction and extra
ordinary beauty and strength but such as
had. at the time in question, hardly attained
the fullnesS of his powers With this fine
horse, whose native name was Scham,' was
sent Agba, Moor, who thoroughly under.
stood the proper treatment of barbs, and by
the warmest ties of his nature and character
was deeply attached TO his charge, round
whose neck there hung when the creature,
Kng e bag 70 of fne eames
hair containing the ilustrious pedigree and
history OF Scham-
SCoRNED THE RECORDS.
"It seems that King Louis had something
else to do than master these records, and
that In a short time the eight barbs, and
Scham among them. were handed over TO
the royal grooms. who, not understanding
the virtues of the Arabian strain IN horse
breeding. so completely disregarded the docu-
ment and certain amulets that came with it,
that. to the indignation of Agba, they threw
the bag and its contents on dunghill. and
finally handed the noble stallion to the
tender mercies of the controller of the royal
kitchen. who could do nothing better with
so beautiful steed than employ him to
draw the kitchen carts that ran between
Paris and Versailles And the pride of the
desert revoted at this indignity, and
long Scfiam became so unmanageable and
furious that he was sold for a few crowns
10 needy, ignorant and brutal carter OF
Paris, who not only nearly Killed ms s5eed
the extremity of the creatures strength,
but half-starved. beat and neglected him
10 an extent which seems incredible-as II
Is described in the pitiful history of Scham.
According to this authority 1t is known
that the Arabian's stable, where he ought
the bitter frosts of the winter of 1872. was
mere howell, or half-open shed in the Rue
Guenegard. where, too weary to lie down;
overcome by cold debiliated by toll and
lack of food, dirty and neglected. Scham
was in very bad plight indeed. Though
incapable of taking rest, the unhappy ami
begin a new days hard work. and at even
ing almost dragged back again TO endure
the sufferings Of a new night.
Under this sort OF treatment Scnam
III
had not been for the devotion of his Moor
ish attendant, who had preserved the pedl-
half-starved himself, contYived to do some
thing for the alienation OF the horses dis
tress, and, one day, the drunken carter nav
ing left the key of the corn bin in the lock,
actually stole oats from the box and tempt
ed his furnishing favorite- with them; the
beast was. however, too iar gone 10 avail a.
musty withal was anything but palatable;
Agba, though at his wits end, contrived to
light IRE IN the s1aoe yaru t ha a po e enc
couraged by the careSses of his faithful
friend, the horse revived a little and was
able to make better meal tnan ne was s aca
cold dawn had come, the carter arrived,
lantern in hand. half-drunk, and irrltated
by the debauches and fatigues or the preVl-
Gus day and night. In striving to harness
scham the ruffian received KICK Wnlcn
added to his furies and caused him 10 VOW
as much vengeance as ne dared 10 iniict
upon the horse whose strength found MIN
in bread and drink. Looking round, he
noticed the half-emptied bin, and the dis
covery increased his wrath and gave depth
to his vows of vengeance upon Scnam ana
Agba. Compelling them TO accompany MIN
TO neighboring brick-ield. the brute load,
ed the cart with two extra courses, ana
then, leading the horse, returned to the city;
where. with numerous curses, ne dlsmssed
Agba to beg his bread in the street
SUFFERED INDIGNITY.
staggering upon the frosty pavement, II
was as much as Scham could do to drag
the cart at all, but at every relaxation OF
his efforts the carriers heavy whip de-
scended upon his loins, leaving weals tnat
were almost wounds. and scored the hide
that nature made go beautiful.
AT last the miserable Scham could do
no more. Slipping upon the slippery stones
he fell. and was pinned to the ground by
the weight of the cart above. storm OF
kicks. curses and lashes alike failed to COM
pei the victim to rise against the weight
which half crushed him. and no one OF the
passengers troubled himself to protect the
animal. whose sufferings were as manifest
his inability to escape from his tyrants
blows The inhuman wretch was about to