Mo 
ARTS (THE). 4: 
q 
This beautiful model of the arts has become 
their emblem ; and he will be talented indeed, 
who shall produce, any thing to excel its rich- 
ness. If any obstacle resists the growth of 
the acanthus, it seems to struggle to overcome 
it, and to vegetate with renewed vigour. So 
genius, when acted upon by resistance or oppo- 
sition, redoubles its attempts to overthrow every 
impediment. 
It is said that the architect, Callimach, passing 
near the tomb of a young maiden who had 
died a few days before the time appointed for 
her nuptials, moved by tenderness and pity, 
approached to scatter some flowers on her 
tomb. Another tribute to her memory had 
preceded his. Her nurse had collected the 
flowers which should have decked her on her 
wedding-day; and putting them, with the 
marriage veil, in a little basket, had placed it 
near the grave upon a plant of acanthus, and 
then covered it with a tile. In the succeeding 
spring the leaves of the acanthus grew round 
the basket; but, being stayed in their growth 
by the projecting tile, they recoiled and sur- 
mounted its extremities. Callimach, surprised 
by this rural decoration, which seemed the 
work of the Graces in tears, conceived the 
capital of the Corinthian column; a magni- 
ficent ornament, still used and admired by the 
whole civilised world. 



