It Finally, they came to a very wise decision. seemed so evident that Providence had created Benjamin to be a painter, and had given him abilities which would be thrown away in any other business, that every one resolved not to oppose his wishes. They even acknowledged that the sight of a beautiful picture might convey instruction to the mind, and might benefit the heart as much as a good book or a wise discourse. They, therefore, committed the youth to the direction of God, being well assured that He best knew what was his proper sphere of usefulness. The old men laid their hands upon Benjamin's head and gave him their blessing, and the women kissed him affectionately. All consented that he should go forth into the world, and learn to be a painter by studying the best pictures of ancient and modern times. So our friend Benjamin left the dwelling of his parents, and his native woods and streams, and the good people of Springfield, and the Indians who had given him his first colors; he left all the places and persons that he had hitherto known, and returned to them no more. He went first to Philadelphia, and afterward to Europe. Here he was noticed by many great people, but he retained all the sobriety and simplicity which he had learned in childhood. When he was twenty-five years old, he went to London, and established himself there as an artist. In due course of time, he acquired great fame by his pictures, and was made chief painter to King George III., and president of the Royal Academy of Arts. When the people of Pennsylvania heard of his success, they felt that the early hopes of his parents as to little Ben's future eminence were now accomplished. It is true they shook their heads at his pictures of battle and bloodshed, such as the death of Wolfe, thinking that these terrible scenes should not be held up to the admiration of the world. But they approved of the great paintings in which he represented the miracles and sufferings of the Redeemer of mankind. He was afterward employed to adorn a large and beautiful chapel near London with pictures of these sacred subjects. He likewise painted a magnificent picture of “Our Lord Healing the Sick,” which he gave to the hospital at Philadelphia. It was exhibited to the public, and produced so much profit, that the hospital was enlarged so as to accommodate thirty more patients. If Benjamin West had done no other good than this, yet it would have been enough to entitle him to an honorable remembrance forever. At this very day there are thirty poor people in the hospital, who owe all their comforts to that same picture. We shall mention only a single incident more. The picture of "Our Lord Healing the Sick" was exhibited at the Royal Academy in London, where it covered a vast space, and displayed a multitude of figures as large as life. On the wall, close beside this admirable picture, hung a small and faded landscape. It was the same that little Ben had painted in his father's garret, after receiving the paint-box and engravings from good Mr. Pennington. He lived many years in peace and honor, and died in 1820. The story of his life is almost as wonderful as a fairy tale; for there are few stranger transformations than that of a little unknown farmer's boy, in the wilds of America, into the most distinguished English painter of his day. Let us each make the best use of our natural abilities, as Benjamin West did; and, with the blessing of God, we shall arrive at some good end. As for fame, it matters but little whether we acquire it or not. HAWTHORNE. OUTLINE FOR COMPOSITION. Subject: BENJAMIN WEST. 1. Where was he born? When? 2. What occupation did his father follow? 3. How old was Ben when his mother used him as nurse? 4. Tell how he first showed his talent. 5. Was his mother pleased? 6. What did he use for paints and brushes? 7. Whose visit aided Ben? How? 8. Why did not the parents consent readily to his becoming a painter? 9. Where did Ben finally go to develop his taste and talent? 10. With what success did he meet? 11. What was Ben's first drawing? 12. Name some of his last and most famous pictures. 13. Draw a lesson from his life. LESSON XLII. bāne, ruin. pâr❜ent age, extraction. fain, gladly; disposed. MONEY. Money, thou bane of bliss, and source of woe, Whence comest thou, that thou art so fresh and fine? I know thy parentage is base and low: Man found thee poor and dirty in a mine. Sure thou didst so little contribute To this great kingdom, which thou now hast got, That he was fain when thou wast destitute, To dig thee out of thy dark cave and grot. Then forcing thee, by fire he made thee bright: Nay, thou hast got the face of man; for we Have with our stamp and seal transfer'ed our right. Thou art the man, and man but dross to thee. Man calleth thee his wealth, who made thee rich; And while he digs out thee, falls in the ditch. GEORGE HERBERT. George Herbert, an English poet, was born in Montgomery Castle, Wales, in 1593. He was educated at Trinity College, where he made the acquaintance of Lord Bacon. He died in 1632. After his death, his principal poetical work, "The Temple, or Sacred Poems," was published. He owes his popularity to Izaak Walton, who wrote his life. The spacious firmament on high, With all the blue ethereal sky, And spangled heavens, a shining frame, Th' unwearied sun, from day to day, And publishes to every land. The work of an almighty hand. Soon as the evening shades prevail, Repeats the story of her birth: Whilst all the stars that round her burn, And all the planets, in their turn, And spread the truth from pole to pole. What though, in solemn silence, all JOSEPH ADDISON. Joseph Addison was born at Milston, England, in 1672. He was educated at the University of Oxford, where he became acquainted with Dryden. In 1699, he received a pension of £200 a year, and then he commenced to travel. His fame is inseparably associated with the "Spectator," a periodical of short life. Addison's writings cover a great variety of subjects, and the witty and pleasant manner in which he treated them has a fascination for the reader of to-day. No one who reads carefully the admirably written essays of Addison, can fail to attain a purer diction. His style is familiar, pleasing, elegant, humorous, and moral. He died in 1719. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. PSALMS XIX., 1, 2. |