Page:Great Men and Famous Women Volume 8.djvu/104

262 ARTISTS AND AUTHORS knowiedged ; we also know that more than one female of quality would will ingly have given her hand to the great artist. The year before his first return to Denmark he lav ill at Naples, and was nursed by an English lady who felt the most ardent affection for him ; and, from that feeling of gratitude which was awakened in him, he immediately consented to their union. When he had re- covered and afterward returned to Rome, this promise preyed on his mind, he felt that he was not now formed to be a husband, acknowledged that gratitude was not love, and that they were not suited for each other ; after a long combat with himself, he wrote and informed her of his determination. Thorwaldsen was never married. The following trait is as characteristic of his heart as of his whole personality. One day, while in Rome, there came a poor countryman to him, an artisan, who had long been ill. He came to say farewell, and to thank him for the monev that he and others of his countrymen had subscribed together, with which he was to reach home. " But you will not walk the whole way ?" said Thorwaldsen. " I am obliged to do so," replied the man. " But you are still too weak to walk — you cannot bear the fatigue, nor must you do it ! " said he. The man assured him of the necessity of doing so. Thorwaldsen went and opened a drawer, took out a handful of scudi and gave them to him, saying, " See, now you will ride the whole way ! " The man thanked him, but assured him that his gift would not be more than sufficient to carry him to Florence. " Well ! " said Thorwaldsen, clapping him on the shoulder, as he went a sec- ond- time to the drawer and took out another handful. The man was grateful in the highest degree, and was going. " Now you can ride the whole way home and be comfortable on the way," said he, as he followed the man to the door. " I am very glad," said the man. " God bless you for it ! but to ride the whole way requires a little capital." " Well, then, tell me how great that must be," he asked, and looked earnestly at him. The man in a modest manner named the requisite sum, and Thorwaldsen went a third time to the drawer, counted out the sum, accompanied him to the door, pressed his hand, and repeated, " But now you will ride, for you have not strength to walk ! " Our artist did not belong to the class of great talkers ; it was only in a small circle that he could be brought to say anything, but then it was always with hu- mor and gayety. A few energetic exclamations of his are preserved. A well- known sculptor, expressing himself one day with much self-feeling, entered into a dispute with Thorwaldsen, and set his own works over the latter' s. " You may bind my hands behind me," said Thorwaldsen, " and I will bite the marble out with my teeth better than you can carve it." Thorwaldsen possessed specimens in plaster of all his works ; these, together with the rich marble statues and bas-reliefs which he had collected of his own