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23G ARTISTS AND AUTHORS mains of the Raphael of the North is a lowly mound, reverently approached by all who visit the quaint imperial city, upon which is a slab, covered with a bronze tablet upon which are the words : Quicquid Alberti Dureri Mortale Fuit Sub Hoc Conditum Tumulo. Emigravit VIII Idus Aprilis, MDXXVIIL " Emigravit is the inscription on the tombstone where he lies ; Dead he is not, but departed — for the artist never dies. Fairer seems the ancient city, and the sunshine seems more fair, That he once has trod its pavement, that he once has breathed its air !" RUBENS By Mrs. Lee (i 577-1 640) "tt is just one hundred and twenty years X to-day," said a young artist to his friend, as he stood in the hall of St. Mark, at Ven- ice, contemplating the noble works of Titian. "Time, the destroyer, has here stayed his hand ; the colors are as vivid and as fresh as if they were laid on but yesterday. Would that my old friend and master, Otho Venius, was here ! At least I will carry back to Ant- werp that in my coloring which shall prove to him that I have not played truant to the art." "Just one hundred and twenty years," re- peated he, "since Titian was born. Venice was then in its glory, but now it is all fall- ing ; its churches and palaces are crumbling to dust, its commerce interrupted. The re- public continually harassed by the Porte, and obliged to call on foreign aid ; depressed by her internal despotism, her council of ten, and state inquisitors ; her decline, though gradual, is sure ; yet the splen- dor of her arts remains, and the genius of Titian, her favorite son, is yet in the bloom and brilliancy of youth ! " Such was the enthusiastic exclamation of Rubens, as he contemplated those