St. Anthony, she went among the Indians, much to their surprise and amusement, and brought away with her a pipe, presented by the chief, in token of amity. She also achieved the ascent of a mountain, never before undertaken by a female, and so delighted were the spectators with her courage and agility, that they insisted upon knowing her name, that the mountain might thenceforth be called after her. In a visit to St. Louis last summer, Miss Hosmer found that her rustic admirers had been as good as their word, and "Hosmer's Height" remains in evidence of "the little lady's" ambition and courage.

On her return to St. Louis, where her prolonged absence had created no little uneasiness, she remained but a short time, and bidding farewell to her kind friends, retraced her steps homewards.

This was in the summer of 1851. No sooner had Harriet Hosmer reached home than she set to work to model an ideal bust of Hesper, continuing her anatomical studies with her cousin, and employing her intervals of leisure and rest in reading, riding, and boating. Now followed a period of earnest work, cheered and inspired by those visions of success, of purpose fulfilled, of high aims realised, which haunt the young and enthusiastic aspirant, and throw a halo round the youthful days of genius, which lends a color to the whole career. As Lowell wisely and poetically says:

"Great dreams preclude low ends."

Better to aspire and fail, than not aspire at all. Better to know the dream and the fever, and the awakening, if it must be, than to pass from the cradle to the grave on the level plane of content with things as they are. There may be aspiration without genius, there cannot be genius without aspiration; and where genius is backed by industry and perseverance, the aspiration of one period will meet its realisation in another.

To go to Rome, to make herself acquainted with all its treasures of art, ancient and modern, to study and work as the masters of both periods had studied and worked before her, this was now our youthful artist's ambition, and all the while she labored, heart and soul, at Hesper, the first creation of her genius, watching its growth beneath her hand, as a young mother watches step by step the progress of her first-born; kneading in with the plastic clay all those thousand hopes and fears, which turn by turn, charm and agitate all who aspire. At length, the clay model finished, a block of marble was sought and found, and brought home to the shed in the garden, hitherto appropriated to dissecting purposes, but now fitted up as a studio. Here, with her own small hands, the youthful maiden, short of stature, and delicate in make, anything but robust in health, with chisel and mallet blocked out the bust, and subsequently, with rasp and file, finished it to the last degree of manipulative perfection. Months and months it took, and hours and days of quiet toil and patience, but those wings of genius, per

severance and industry, were hers, and love lent zest to the work. It was late summer in 1852 before Hesper was fully completed. Now," said its author to her father, "I am ready to go to Rome."

66

"And go you shall, my child, this very autumn," was the reply. Anxious as Dr. Hosmer was to facilitate in every way the career his daughter had chosen, there was yet another reason for going to Italy before winter set in. Study, and nervous anxiety, had made their impression upon a naturally delicate constitution, and a short dry cough alarmed the worthy doctor for his child's health.

October of 1852 saw father and daughter on their way to Europe, the St. Louis diploma and daugerreotypes of Hesper being carefully stowed away in the safest corner of the portmanteau, as evidences of what the young artist had already achieved, when, arrived at Rome, she should seek the instruction of one of two masters, whose fame, world wide, could alone satisfy our aspirant's ambition. So eager was her desire to reach Rome that a week only was given to England, when, joining some friends in Paris, the whole party proceeded to Rome, arriving in the Eternal City on the evening of November 12th, 1852.

Within two days the daugerreotypes were placed in the hands of Mr. Gibson, as he sat at breakfast in the Café Greco, a famous place of resort for artists.

Now, be it known as a caution to women, not to enter lightly upon any career, to throw it up as lightly upon the first difficulty which arises, that a prejudice existed in Rome against lady artists, from the pretensions with which some had repaired thither, and upon which, they had succeeded in gaining access to some of the best studios and instruction from their masters, to throw these valuable opportunities aside at the first obstacle that arose. Mr. Gibson had himself, it was said, been thus victimised and annoyed, and it was represented to Miss Hosmer as doubtful in the extreme, if he would either look at the daugerreotype or listen to the proposal of her becoming his pupil. However, the daugerreotypes were placed before him, and taking them into his hands, one presenting a full, and the other a profile view of the bust, he sat some moments in silence, looking intently at them. Encouraged by this, the young sculptor who had undertaken to present them, proceeded to explain Miss Hosmer's intentions and wishes, what she had already done, and what she hoped to do. Still Mr. Gibson remained silent. Finally, closing the cases—

"Send the young lady to me," said he, and can teach her she shall learn."

"and whatever I know

In less than a week Harriet Hosmer was fairly installed in Mr. Gibson's studio, in the upstairs room we have already described, and where she still is, though rapidly outgrowing the space allotted to her. It is difficult, however, for master and pupil, or we should rather say, for the two friends to part; for, spite of the difference

of years, or perhaps in consequence of it, a truly paternal and filial affection has sprung up between the two, a source of great happiness to themselves, and of pleasure and amusement to all who know and value them, from the curious likeness, yet unlikeness, which existed from the first in Miss Hosmer to Mr. Gibson, and which daily intercourse has not tended to lessen.

The first winter in Rome was passed in modelling from the antique, Mr. Gibson desiring to assure himself of the correctness of Miss Hosmer's eye, and the soundness of her knowledge, Hesper evincing the possession of the imaginative and creative power. From the first, Mr. Gibson expressed himself more than satisfied with her power of imitating the roundness and softness of flesh, saying, upon one occasion, that he had never seen it surpassed, and not often equalled.

Her first attempt at original design in Rome was a bust of Daphne, quickly succeeded by another of the Medusa-the beautiful Medusa- and a lovely thing it is, faultless in form, and intense in its expression of horror and agony, without trenching on the physically painful.

We have already spoken of the warm friend Miss Hosmer made for herself, during her winter at St. Louis, in the head of the family at whose house she was a guest. This gentleman, as a God-speed to the young artist on her journey to Rome, sent her, on the eve of departure, an order to a large amount for the first figure she should model, leaving her entirely free to select her own time and subject. A statue of Enone was the result, which is now in the house of Mr. Crow, at St. Louis, and which gave such satisfaction to its possessor and his fellow-townsmen, that an order was forwarded to Miss Hosmer for a statue for the Public Library at St. Louis, on the same liberal and considerate terms. Beatrice Cenci, exhibited at the Royal Academy last year, and which won so many golden opinions from critics and connoisseurs, was on its way to St. Louis, in fulfilment of this order.

The summers in Rome are, as every one knows, trying to the natives, and full of danger to foreigners. Dr. Hosmer having seen his daughter finally settled, returned to America, leaving her with strict injunctions to seek some salubrious spot in the neighbouring mountains for the summer, if indeed she did not go into Switzerland or England. Rome, however, was the centre of attraction; and after the first season, which was spent at Sorrento, on the bay of Naples, Miss Hosmer could not be prevailed upon to go out of sight and reach of its lordly dome and noble treasures of art. The third summer came, and listening to the advice of her friends, and in obedience to the express wish of her father, she made arrangements for a visit to England. The day was settled, the trunks were packed, she was on the eve of departure, when a letter from America arrived, informing her of heavy losses sustained by her father, which must necessitate retrenchment in every

possible way, a surrender of her career in Rome, and an immediate return home. The news came upon her like a thunderbolt. Stunned and bewildered, she knew not at the moment what to do. An only child, and hitherto indulged in every whim and caprice, the position was indeed startling and perplexing. The surrender of her art career was the only thing which she felt to be impossible; whatever else might come, that could not, should not be. And now came into play that true independence of character which hitherto had shewn itself mostly in wild freaks and tricks. Instead of falling back upon those friends whose means she knew would be at her disposal in this emergency, she dispatched a messenger for the young sculptor who had shewn the daguerreotypes to Mr. Gibson, and who, himself dependent upon his professional exertions, was she decided, the fittest person to consult with as to her own future career. He obeyed the hasty summons, and found the joyous, laughing countenance he had always known, pale and changed, as it were, suddenly, from that of a young girl to a woman full of cares and anxieties. He could scarcely credit the intelligence, but the letter was explicit, the summons home peremptory. "Go I will not," was the only coherent resolution he found; so the two laid their heads together. Miss Hosmer was the owner of a handsome horse, and an expensive English saddle; these were doomed at once. The summer in Rome itself, during which season living there costs next to nothing, was determined upon; and during those summer months Miss Hosmer should model something so attractive that it should ensure a speedy order, and exercising strict economy, start thenceforth on an independent artist career, such as many of those around her with less talent and training, managed to carry on with success. No sooner said than done; the trunks were unpacked, the friends she had been about to accompany departed without her, her father's reverses were simply and straightforwardly announced, and she entered at once on the line of industry and economy she and her friend had struck out.

It is said that friendship between a young man and a young woman is scarcely possible, and perhaps under ordinary circumstances, where the woman has no engrossing interests of her own, no definite aim and pursuit in life, it may be so. Here, however, was a case of genuine and helpful friendship, honorable alike to the heads and hearts of both. Under the experienced direction of her friend, Miss Hosmer conducted her affairs with prudence and economy, and at the same time with due regard to health. The summer passed away, and neither fever nor any other form of mischief attacked our young friend. She worked hard and modelled a statue of Puck, so full of spirit, originality and fun, that it was no sooner finished and exhibited than orders to put it into marble came in. It has since been repeated again and again, and, during the past winter only, three copies have been ordered for England alone; one for the Duke of Hamilton. Thus, fairly started on her own ground, Miss Hosmer

VOL I.

Y

has met with that success which talent, combined with industry and energy, never fails to command.

The winter before last, while the Cenci was being put into marble, she was engaged in modelling a monument to the memory of a beautiful young Catholic lady, which is destined for a niche in the Church of San Andreo delle Fratte, in the Via Mercede, close upon the Piazza di Spagna. A portrait full-length figure of the young girl, life size, reclines upon a low couch. The attitude is easy and natural, and the tranquil sleep of death is admirably rendered in contra-distinction to the warm sleep of life in the Cenci.

Miss Hosmer has been engaged during the winter just past, in modelling a fountain, for which she has taken the story of Hylas descending for water, when, according to mythology, he is seized upon by the water nymphs and drowned. Hylas forms the crown of the pyramid, while the nymphs twined around its base, with extended arms seek to drag him down into the water below, where dolphins are spouting jets which interlace each other; a double basin, the upper one supported by swans, receives the cascade.

At the present moment, this talented and enterprising young artist is working upon a half life size statue of Zenobia, in preparation for next winter, when it is to be modelled even larger than life and is already bespoken for America. She is also just finishing a pendant to Puck, Will-o'-the-Wisp, which is wholly indescribable, and is said to be superior even to Puck.

M. M. H.

XLIII.-PARK AND

PLAYGROUND

VERSUS GIN-PALACE AND PRISON.

ARE we better than we were in the olden time, and by how much? Of the general advance of education, there is neither doubt nor question; but it is also certain, that the national improvement in morality and good feeling is by no means proportionate to the increase of knowledge. Of that improvement a good indication is given in the change of recreations of all ranks; and while we find, in the two extremes of society, little ground for self-gratulation, we have cause for thankfulness that the middle classes, of which the great bulk of the nation is composed, afford sensible evidence of progress, moral as well as intellctual. It is of the least educated classes we mean to speak; of their opportunities of acquiring good or evil habits, their temptations, their vices and sufferings, and the means by which these last may be diminished by the many and increasing sources of instruction, rational recreation, and refinement, devised for them by those who have been raised, by Providence, a degree above them in the social scale.