UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 27l 



the refreshing breezes from the Alps, made it a 

 frequent summer residence for the Venetian no- 

 bility. Old Pasino Canova, who lived there, 

 was often employed in the repairs or embellish- 

 ments of their villas, and on these occasions he 

 was accompanied by his grandson. Young Ca- 

 nova thus became known to the senator Falier, 

 who was afterwards his most zealous patron ; 

 and an intimacy was formed between him and 

 Giuseppe Falier, the youngest son, which ceased 

 only with Canova's life. 



" The ingenuous disposition of Canova, his 

 animated countenance and his modesty, interested 

 the elder Falier ; and he took him, when about 

 twelve years old, under his immediate protection. 

 But it was by a mere accident that his talents 

 were first noticed. At a festival celebrated at 

 the villa of Falier, and attended by many of the 

 Venetian nobility, the domestics had neglected 

 to provide an ornament for the dessert. The 

 omission was not discovered till it was too late ; 

 and, fearing the displeasure of their master, they 

 applied to Pasino, who, with his grandson, was 

 then at work in the house. 



" The old man could suggest no remedy; but 

 young Antonio desired to have some butter, and 

 in a few moments he modelled a lion, with such 

 skill and effect, that, when it appeared at table, 

 it excited the attention and applause of all pre- 

 sent. The servants were questioned the whole 



