Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-11-10

Stanford. Jr., university, la Contadi-
BELLA" and high relief busts of Henry
/ James W. d. Iiowclls and John Hay.
When Mead went to Italy after his
| Civil War experience he received a cor
dial welcome from the famous sculptor.
| Hiram Powers. also a Ncrmontcr, and
| long established in Florence where every
American tourist Of note dropped in to
see MIN MS matter Of course Fcw
names figure more conspicuousiy in
| American travel notes of the period Very
likely the example and precept Of Pow
ers did much to confirm the younger man
In the intention of making Italy his
| home. Venice was not perhaps the best
city for sculptor but he remained thor"
three years, his artistic feeling con-
stantly expanding in that rich atmo.
| sphere. Yet it was natural that no should
make his permanent home in Florence
where he had many congoniai friends I'm
1913 he was appointed to a professor
ship in the academy Of fine arts IN tuat
| city.
| The story OF Mead's marriage was ro-
mantle enough to match his exceptional
career. While left in charge of tho tuit.l
states consulate at Venice during TIM
wedding trip of M. HoWels to America.
the young sculptor saw IN tho piaz2a of
san Marco a beautiful Italian girl with
whom he fell In love at first sight, with
OUT knowing VINO she was. MIR. IioW"!s.
while in America. accepted IN editorial
position on the Atlantic monthly. and
low consul was appointed. Mead returned
to Florence, where he had for some
time been living, but he could not for
get the beautiful young Venetian. and re-
turned To search for her. Through tho
service" OF IN" now consul meeting was
arranged, and Tho young woman was
found to be all that could he asked, in
family ana In culture Neither. 50 the
story went. could speak word Of the
others language. so that IL" lor"making
had to be carried on through an Inter-
prefer. THIS seems strange considering
Meads somewhat extended Residence in
Italy bat at all events the beautiful
Marietta di RenvcuGu had no English.
But she was almost a. prompt her
edmircr to fa' IN lose. and a civil mar
rase was arranged. the RELIGIOUS cere-
mony being Impossible because th' bird"
was a Roman Catholic ani MIR Mod a
Protestant The pope was appea.cd to in
vain Tor dispensation in their favor.
The story of the creation of the Record
ing Angel is told by Charles +. Warner
in Picturesque Brattlcboro, as follows:
"Bratteboro people tell an almost .dyliic
story, when reference is made to Larliin
G. Mead. the distinguished sculptor, vino
was brought up in their village. and /
Who one bright winter morning. startled |
them with unique evidence OF his genius, |
III was the last night of December, /.
1856, when young Mead and two friends /
set about the construction of snow /
image in the centre Of the town. The .
friends had been enthusiastic believers in /
what they believed to be tn" hidden tai |
tnt' of their companicn. Mead and after
much persuasion he mad at last consent
ed to try and see what lie could do In
the way OF moulding n statue from sno"
and ice. No ordinary boys snow man
was this to be-no roughly moulded figure
Of sole snow, clums!ly stuck together,
Ike a scarecroW, With pieces of wood