Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-19
THE HOAX.
RY BENVENUTO CELLINI.

tBenvenuto Cellini. lS0O-lS7l, was an
Nalian metal artist and writer; famous as
Spldsm1m 81 genus fIsnt EnSwn IN
A club Of painters, sculptors and gold.
smiths was formed of the best that
were in Rome. We often came together;
Ut the very least twice a week. After
many and many merry meetings II
seemed good to our worthy president
that for the following Sunday we should
repair to supper In his house, and that
each one OF us should be obliged to
bring with him his sweetheart, and that
whosoever did not bring a female guest
should be fined by giving supper 10
the whole company.
Those of us who had no regular girls
we're obliged to 60 to no small trouble
in order to appear without disgrace AZ
that distinguished feast of artists:
had reckoned upon being well provided
with a young woman of considerable
much in love with me; but was obliged
to give her up to one of my friends,
called II Bachiacca, who on his side
had been, and still was, over head and
ears in love with her.
Well, then, the hour was drawing
nigh when we had to present ourselves
before that company of men of genius,
still unprovided; and yet thought it
would be stupid to fail of such mad
cap begatelle; but what particularly
weighed upon my mind was that did
not choose to lend the ligh. OF my
countenance in that illustrious sphere
to some miserable plume plucktd scare
crow. Just any woman would not do.
All these considerations made me de-
wise pleasant hoax, for the increase
80 ~ a nf n
in our society.
Having made up my mind sent for
q STRIPPING Of Is years, who lived in the
next house to mine; he was the son or
a Spanish copperSmith. This young
man bore the name of Diego, had a
handsome figure, and a complexion Of
marvellous brilliance; the outlines of his
head and face were far more beautiful
than those of the antique Antinous. I
had often copied them, gaining thereby
much honor from the works in which
used them.
Diego had no acquaintance, and was
therefore quite unknown; dressed very
i'll and negligently; all his affections
being set upon his studies in Latin. After
bringing him to my house, begged him
to let me array him in the woman's
clothes which had caused to be laid
out. He readily complied, and put them
to the beauty of his face by the elabo-
rate and studied way in which dressed
his hair. In his ears I placed two little
rings, set with two large and fair pearls:
the rings were broken; they only clipped
his ears, which looked as though they
had been pierced. Then I wreathed
his throat with chains Of gold and rich
jewels, and ornamented his fair hands
with rings. took him and showed
him in great looking glass. '''''-
''Heavens!" cried the lad, sis that
Diego?"
"That is Diego" I said, from whom
until today have never asked any
favor. Now ask Diego to do me pleas
ure In one harmless thing. 1t is this:
I want you to come in those very clothes
to supper with the company of artists
of whom you have heard me speak"
The young man was honest, virtuous
and knowing He looked down for a
few moments, considering. Then he
said with sudden decision: with Ben
venuto, my friend, I'll go gladly. Let us
start" 800
wrapped his head in a large kind Of
napkin, called a Summer cloth. When
we reached the place of meeting, the