'I h B. HESPERIAN.
After having been admitted to the highest class in the Ac
ademy and received a gold medal as a token of regard for his
superior skill, he resolved to go to Italy. Hut in order to do
so he was obliged to study Greek and Roman mythology. He
did so, and set sail for Rome in 1796. Here a new world op
ened up for him. The dark, graceful Italians,thc magnificent
architecture, and exquisite works of art formed a world never
before even dreamed of. But the young artist bent all his en
ergies to the study of the masterpieces of antiquity.Iic wrote
come, "Art becomes daily dearer to me; at the same lime I am
aware how far I am from having attained that perfection
which I behold in the masterpieces in this city."
The conception to which Thorwaldsen wished to give a
realization, and by which he hoped to establish his reputa
tion as an artist, was a statue of Jason. lie pictured this
Greek hero as a young man, powerfully built and symctrical
ly formed, with a helmet on his head, a spear in his hand, the
golden fleece hanging on his left arm, and his cloak thrown
across the stump of a tree near him, in the act of returning
to the ship, after having killed the dragon. lie modelled
this figure, life size, in clay. After six months it was finished,
but, not suiting the artist, he struck off its head. After two
years it was again completed, and it won admiration from art
ists and travellers who flocked to sec it. After twenty years
it was reproduced in marble. Now his studio was crowded
by those who wished to "sit for their busts," or give orders
for "fancy pieces."
In 1S12, before the visit of Napoleoon I. to Rome, he re
ceived the order to complete the decoration of the Quirinal,
in his honor. In two months time he completed the decora,
tions of plaster cast in bas relief, one hundred and ten feet in
length, for the cornices.
His next great work was the modelling of "Night" and
"Day" in bas-relief; also "Mercury as the Slayer of Argos,"
and in like manner "Ikbc," "Three Graces in Sisterly Em
brace" and several others.
He now received a pressing invitation to return to Copen
hagen. He set out. His fame had preceded him, and in all
the cities he entered, he was received with highest honors.
At Copenhagen he was the guest of the king. Here he was
consulted .'ibout the decoration of the Chuich of our Lady,
which, having burnt down, was about lobe rebuilt. His plans
were adopted and that church shows that he was great in re
ligions as well as classic art. After a year's residence he re
turned to Rome where he studied more thoroughly the art
works of the Renaissance. He was an ardent admirer of
Raphael, yet he forbore to copy from his works.
Among the aristocracy of Rome Thorwaldsen was very pop
ular. His noble face and form and gentle manners won for
him the esteem of all. His face was like one of his statues,
so lolty were the expression and features. Bartholdi wrote
of him, "Thorwaldsen is a man like a lion. It is refreshing
to look into his countenance. One knows immediately that
he is a creative genius. While he is great, he is nevertheless
overflowing in his sympathies."
In 1832 he returned once more to his old home, where he
met and became acquainted with Hans Christian Anderson,
whose stories were much admired by the great artist. Once
more he went to Rome and returned. He died in 1844.
Thorwaldsen's Museum, in the central part of which his re
mains are resting, is at once a splendid, ornamental and use
ful monument to the artistic genius of Denmark's illustrious
son. In one room is arranged all the furniture of his sitting
room, sketches, and drawings, and a model for a bust of Lu
ther, at which he was working on the day of his death.
7 HE BATTLE.
It was Saturday morning. All was still. Suddenly there
was quite a stir in the street; the noise came nearer and near
er. Oh," thought I," it is some little boys playing soldiers."
Sure enough! There was a whole regiment of them. Captain
E t was at their head, beating his drum for all that's out and
they all kept perfect step. Only there was a little mystery;
they all carried drums (I thought they must be to supply the
captain when his gave out which it seemed very likely to do
soon; he was beating it so vigorously) and the drums were
long. Hut I guess theirs were a new style.
They marched on, gathering recruits on the way until they
numbered a formidable army. They were armed with cow
boy hats, calico dresses and penknives, the latter of which
they lost and cried about afterwards. As they moved along
there was a murmur throughout the rank: "We must con
quer or die. Our commander-in-chief has directed the bat
tle, and if we are not faithful to our commissions, we will be
hung as traitors and flunkists"
They reached the field where the foe was spread out before
them where the Antelope's silver stream flows through the
verdure of a lovely plain. Then General P y advanced to
the front and thus addressed them: "My brave comrades, let
us rally to the standard and fight loyally today, The issue of
today's battle is not to defeat our foes here in the field, but to
gain such a reputation that yonder horde of savages the '90s
shall no more molest us. By them we have been down
trodden and reviled. Our tender hearts have bled as they
have elevated their probosccs in scorn at us. This must not
be. The '91s the sweet, intelligent, brave '91s shall win!
And not only that, but the tyrant, our commander-in-chief,
stands yonder in his citadel, protected, whilst he commands
us to go and defeat the enemy or we arc forever doomed. On,
my brave preppies! On, comrades! On!
They made a terrific charge. They proved invincible. The
foe lay dead upon the ground. But it was a dear victory; their
foes discharged all their ammunition; rank upon rank of the
puhera regiment attacked them. They showered their ar
rows until the faces and uniforms of the brave soldiers were
completely ttigri. Then the vevtxts brigade charged. It rob
bed them of a good deal of hair, clothing, etc. But the brave
soldiers would not stop for that. They pressed on and gain
ed the victory.
They brought back some trophies .tof their triumph
taken in battle: Gen. Astralagus Caryocarpus, CapL Bap
tisia LencopJiata, Sergeant Lathy rus Liitearis,and an innum
erable number of Composite soldiers.
Best shoes for only $3.00 at Webster and Briscoe's.
THE REASON WHY.
On a blossom-strewn bank two lovers sat,
And gentle zephyrs murmuring low, .
By contrast were fortissimo,
So very softly did they chat.
And now and then her laughter mellow,
Would ripple clear at some merry jest,
While she pelts him with blossoms with playful zest;
He vows revenge, the audacious fellow.
Revenge he got, 'twas sweet don't you think?
The maiden blushed as maidens should.
Her handkerchief snatched, as tho' she would
Erase the kiss from her cheek's soft pink.
"Why rub it ofl?" he asked in fun;
She pouted a bit and tossed her head,
Then with a smile she coyly said,
"Perhaps to make room for an other one. Record'
KQ
