Chapter XXIX: Hiram Powers

Birth--Juvenile mechanical skill--The life of a Vermont boy--Hard times--Removal of the Powers family to the West--The new farm--Misfortunes never come singly--Breaking up of the household--Hiram's first employment--The reading-room scheme--Hiram becomes a collector of bad debts--Reminiscences of the young West--Powers becomes a mechanic--Story of the brass plates--Rapid promotion--The silver watch--How Hiram purchased it--The Cincinnati Museum--The artist's first lessons in modeling--His first sitter--The trial of skill--The king of the Cannibal Islands--The man-eater--Hiram becomes interested in the museum--How he played the devil in Cincinnati--A dishonest employer--Mr. Longworth's offer--Powers goes to Washington--His success there--Visit to "Old Hickory"--The first critic--Kindness of Senator Preston--Powers goes to Italy--Arrival in Florence--His first works in Italy--Visit to Thorwaldsen--Works of Powers--His rapid success--His life in Italy--Views of Mr. Powers respecting an artist life--Personal characteristics--Popularity with artists.

CHAPTER XXX.

EMMANUEL LEUTZE.

An American by adoption--Early life and education--How he learned to draw--Becomes an artist--His first picture--The evils of too much haste--His first professional engagement--Despondency--A ramble through the Virginia woods, and what came of it--A friend in need--Greater success--Friendship of Mr. Carey--Leutze goes to Europe--Studies at Dusseldorf-His reception there--Becomes Lessing's pupil--His first picture finds a purchaser--Travels and studies in Europe--Returns to Dusseldorf, marries, and makes his home in that place--His paintings--Returns to New York--Success in America--The Government commission--Journey to the Rocky Mountains--The great fresco in the Capitol--"Westward the Star of Empire takes it Way"--Revisits Dusseldorf--Reception by the artists--Returns to the United States--Further commissions from the Government--His sudden death--His unfinished works--Mr. Tuckerman's remarks.

VIII. DIVINES.