The Mysteries of the Court of London — page 323: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Siz deed, when the funeral expenses were paid, I and Angela found ourselves almoct penniless, and it yet required another six months’ constant practice to fit her for the sphere for which she had been brought up—I mean the operatic ballet. Signor Vivaldi however assisted us. He paid for the masters whose services were required to finish Angela’s Terpsicho- rean education; and he continued, with more assi- duity than ever, to instruct me in the art of ivory painting. Thus several months passed; and at length I became so far proficient in my own studies that I was enabled to dispose of my little paintings to considerable advantage. O Florina! never did I eat bread s0 sweet as that which was purchased with the produce of the sale of my first ivory-plate. I felt that I was independent, even of friendly bene- volence; and this feeling for those who have been placed in a situation to appreciate it, is a joyous one indeed. At the same time, too, my dear sister had finished her education as a dancer, and was to ap- pear upon the stage. By the advice of her masters, es well as of Signor Vivaldi ant other friends who had interested themselves on our behalf, it was de- termined that she should adopt an Italian name for her debut ; because, if it were generally known that she was an: English girl, there would be a prejudice against her. I do not mean that this prejudice would have arisen from any national aversion against the English generally—but simply from the fact that the Italians entertain the belief that the English cannot possibly excel, no matter how well tutored, in daneing, singing, or music. Therefore, for this reason, it was resolved that Angela should assume an Italian sarname, the Christian one which a mother’s doting fondness had given her being sufficiently Italian to-be preserved. As a compli- ment to our kind friend the painter, and by his special permission, she adopted that of Vivaldi. Her debut was not so successful as her friends had hoped and expected it would be: still it was not a failure. She could not throw off that natural ti- to improve in respect to cong —but slowly. At length it manager of the Italian rived in Florence; and being much struck Angela's appearance, as well as seeing the certainty of her future fame, he sought us out at our dwelling and offered her an engagement. She did not however accept it hur- riedly: for in Florenes we had good friends and I had found many patrons, so that we were ensured a commpetency—whereas if we renounced present cer- tainties with the uncertain hope of more brilliant prospects, we felt that we should be acting anwisely and rashly. We therefore declined terms with the English manager on Angela’s account, but promised that if on a fatare occasion he still anter- tained the same favourable opinion of Angela’s qualifications, his proposal should be the first accepted elsewhere than in Florence. The flattering com- pliment paid to Angela by the mere circumstance of the English manager's ofer, inspired her with new courage to prosecute the career in which she had embarked; and when the season at Florence com- i —eF = “~Ee em wea ao = a THE MYSTERIES OF THE COURT. menced again, she acquitted herself in a manner that was moet triumphant. From thas day forth her success was immense and hor ica was established. But at the period of which I am now speaking, a circumstance ocourred which threw a ead damp upon our spirits: this was the death of our kind beriefactor Signor Vivaldi. He died in comparative poverty, and leaving some debts. Hoe had left three or four pictures in a finished state, and one that was very nearly completed: these his executors advertised for sale—and when the day came to dispose of them by suction, there was 4 considerable attendance of bidders at the deceased painter’s house. Amongst them was Mr. Gunathorpe, who reading the advertisement in the Italian news- papers, journeyed from Naples—his place of resi- denee—for the purpose.” “What! is Mr. Gunthorpe attached to the fine arte?”’ asked Florina, with some degree of astonish- ment, inasmuch as there was little indeed in that gentleman’s appearance to warrant such a belief. “There is no man in E who possesses a more exquisite taste,” answered Deverill. “ He has brought with him to England countless packages containing the most beautiful specimens of Itelien arta, in painting and sculpture, that money could purchase; and he intends them for the decoration of a mansion which he purposes to erect or buy. But let me continue my story. Mr. Gunthorpe wes so pleased with the deceased Signor Vivaldi's pie- tures, that he outbid every one at the sale, and be- came their purchaser for a considerable price,—the unfinished one as well those that were complete. This circumstance made me acquainted with him; and on the day after the sale, I happened to be in the studio of my deceased benefactor, finishing a miniature copy of the very one which was incom- plete, when Mr. Gunthorpe came to fetch the pte- tures away. He inspected my work, and was aston- ished to find that in my miniature I had perfected that which was still wanting to complete the ori- ginal. He asked me if I could paint im ail: I told him tha tI had received some-lessons frum my de- parte friend. He inquired whether I would un- dertake to complete the ag yet unfinished picture im the same way as I had perfected my miniatare copy? I undertook the task, which occupied some weeks; and every day Mr. Gunthorpe came to my abode, whither I had removed the picture, to watch its progress towards completion. Thus we became still more intimate; and the old gentleman exhibited an ine fri towards myself and An- gela. At length the picture was finished: he was well eafisfied, and offered me a munificent reward. But I refused it, declaring that I had already re- esived an ample recompense in the honour of bemg permitted to perfect oneof my deceased benefactor’s ijeces. Mr. did not press me very much after my first refusal to accept the proffered remuneration: but he became more friendly ever towards me. At length, seeeasion from the stage as a trib the of our deceased sumed her occupations. Mr. ece her, and was delighted. We informod the proposals made by the Eaglish manager; he at once eounselled Angela to accopt them. farther obscrved that ho himself was shortly to England, and would be delighted to renew — .@ —~——2_.. —_ © EO NOOKS