272 



was disclosed, and little Tonin declared to be 

 the contriver. He was immediately called for ; 

 and blushing and half reluctant, was led into the 

 brilliant assembly, where he received universal 

 praise and caresses." 



" There is a circumstance strikingly similar to 

 this," continued my aunt, " which is told of our 

 celebrated sculptor Chantrey, and of which I 

 believe there is no doubt, as I was told it by 

 a person to whom Chantrey, with noble candour, 

 had himself communicated it. When quite q, 

 boy, not more than nine or ten, he used fre- 

 quently to visit his aunt, who was housekeeper 

 to a lady of fortune in Derbyshire. During one 

 of these visits, it was observed that the flowers 

 and ornaments of the pastry at table were 

 executed with particularly good taste ; and the 

 housekeeper acknowledged that she had allowed 

 her little nephew to amuse himself in making 

 whatever ornaments he fancied. The lady de- 

 termined on giving him other opportunities of 

 trying his talents, and finding how very superior 

 they were, she actually sent him to London to 

 receive instruction. With what delight this be- 

 nevolent and judicious woman must now behold 

 the works of this great artist ; and how much 

 she must enjoy the fame which he has so justly 

 acquired ! 



*' The progress which Canova made, and the 

 perfection even of his earliest works, is known to 



