Evening star., 1928-05-13
The Story of Civilization


and I took such pleasure in It's duties
that ! discharged them better than
those of my art" Nevertheless, his
gun exploded amateurishly enough,
nearly killing Cardinal Farnese; 1t did
not disturb the artist. who writes: "Of
Farnese / shall say nothing here, be-
cause It will appear in its proper place
how we'll 1t would have been II I had
killed him." In the midst of the
slaughter Cellini thought 1t providen-
forgiveness for the various murders
which he had committed during his
q years. "Thereat the Pope, making
large open sign of the cross upon
my face. told me that he blessed me
and gave me pardon for all murders
had ever perpetrated, or should ever
perpetrate. In the service Of the Apos-
tolic Church"
Was Slightly Contrary.
Even in his birth Benvenuto was
slightly contrary; his parents had had
long succession of girls; and ''inas-
much as those longings to which preg-
nant women are subject were
now exactly the same as those of my
mothers former pregnancy, they made
to a female. as before. and agreed to
call the child Reparata. So Ben came.
and his father, in grateful astonishment
called him Welcome-Ben
He was Cellini from the beginning
obstinate, proud and without fear. When
his brother was attacked by ruffians
and fell to the earth half dead, II ran
up at once seized his sword. and stood
in front OF him. bearing the brunt OF
several rapiers and shower OF stones
I never left his side until some brave
soldiers came from the gate San Gallo
and rescued me from the raging crowd
They marveled much. the while. to find
such valor In so young q boy" 1t is
evident that Benvenuto admires Cellini
and does not propose to minimize his
exploits; we shall have to take him with
a grain of salt for he gets the better
of too many arguments, and wins too
many duels, to be quite trustworthy
we shall believe him though we know
ne lies.
Runs Away to Rome.
He had been born at Florence In 1900.
by 1919 he felt that 1t was time to run
away to Rome. Giovan Tasso went with
him; but by the time they reached the
city gates Giovan faltered and wished
he might go home. "What?" said Cellini
I'VE are already half way to Rome and
you want to turn back?" They con-
tinued. and soon found that Ben had
spoken rnetaphorically: they entered
Rome limping but unconquered.
The young goldsmith remained there
with intermissions, till 1897, prosperine
in his art, and supporting with his
earnings his father and sisters In
Florence. Very little of his work re-
mains, for precious metal is tempting
and Is melted down into lucre as offer
as beauty yields to villainy.
Brother Is Killed.
Meanwhile Benvenuto's brother hac
come TO Rome, quarreled with a gang.
ster and been killed. When Benvenute
learned of 1t he could not sleep. He
went out zealously, found the assassin
and killed him, In order that he, Gel.
lini, might be able to sleep. The com.
plants were made to Clement VII. but
as Benvenuto was doing for him an i'm.
portant piece of work which no Other
artist In Rome could finish, the Pope
said nothing. But when Cellini wa,
reported TO have killed another enemy
shortly afterward his holiness ordered
that he should be arrested and hanged
on the spot. Not agreeing with thil
solution, the artist took horse and fled
from Rome. but, hearing that his en-.
emy, Pompeo. was recovering from thu
, blow. he turned back to the capital
resolved to finish his work. "Wher
Pompeo heard that ! was coming bach
to Rome, he swore that he would dit
to serve me an III turn" Instead, h,
recovered and hired some fellows X
help him kill Cellini. But Cellini. hav'
Ing knelt and begged the assistance O
God. plunged along into the midst o
the hostile gang. and sank his daggei
into Pompeo's neck. Il gave only twt
| blows, for he fell stone dead at tht
second / had not meant TO kill him
but, as the saying goes. knocks are no
dealt by measure. drew m,
sword to defend my life bu
those bravi took no action against me.
News Of the engagement came to ths
| new Pope. Paul III. with q recommen-
dation from the bearer. cardinal. thai
Cellini should be severely punished
Know. then" he said. that men like
Benvenuto. unique In their profession
stand above the law; and how far more
he, who received the provocation have
heard Oft"
Next to Murder, Love.
No other production of the Renais-
sance so vividly reveals its spirit anc
mores as the picturesque autobiography
Here violence Is unabashed Cellini en-
| Joys himself most when he Is killing
people He tells how once. being Of