Birth—­Early years—­Begins life as a clerk in a dry goods store—­Artistic talent—­Opposition of his parents—­A change in his plans—­Becomes an engineer—­Failure of his eyes—­Voyage to Spain—­Return home—­Becomes a machinist—­Promoted—­Learns to model in clay—­Commences his studies in art—­A hard life, and a noble perseverance—­A change for the better—­A sudden reverse—­Out of work—­Visits Europe to study his art—­Returns home in despair—­Enters the service of the surveyor of the city of Chicago—­His first statuettes—­Their success—­A new field opened to him—­Visits New York, and learns the new method of casting figures—­Establishes himself in New York—­His first studio—­Immediate popularity of his works—­Description of them—­Removes to a new studio—­His later works—­Process by which they are made-Originality of the artist rewarded by the public—­Personal characteristics.

CHAPTER XXIX.

Hiram powers.

Birth—­Juvenile mechanical skill—­The life of a Vermont boy—­Hard times—­Removal of the Powers family to the West—­The new farm—­Misfortunes never come singly—­Breaking up of the household—­Hiram’s first employment—­The reading-room scheme—­Hiram becomes a collector of bad debts—­Reminiscences of the young West—­Powers becomes a mechanic—­Story of the brass plates—­Rapid promotion—­The silver watch—­How Hiram purchased it—­The Cincinnati Museum—­The artist’s first lessons in modeling—­His first sitter—­The trial of skill—­The king of the Cannibal Islands—­The man-eater—­Hiram becomes interested in the museum—­How he played the devil in Cincinnati—­A dishonest employer—­Mr. Longworth’s offer—­Powers goes to Washington—­His success there—­Visit to “Old Hickory”—­The first critic—­Kindness of Senator Preston—­Powers goes to Italy—­Arrival in Florence—­His first works in Italy—­Visit to Thorwaldsen—­Works of Powers—­His rapid success—­His life in Italy—­Views of Mr. Powers respecting an artist life—­Personal characteristics—­Popularity with artists.

CHAPTER XXX.

Emmanuel Leutze.

An American by adoption—­Early life and education—­How he learned to draw—­Becomes an artist—­His first picture—­The evils of too much haste—­His first professional engagement—­Despondency—­A ramble through the Virginia woods, and what came of it—­A friend in need—­Greater success—­Friendship of Mr. Carey—­Leutze goes to Europe—­Studies at Dusseldorf-His reception there—­Becomes Lessing’s pupil—­His first picture finds a purchaser—­Travels and studies in Europe—­Returns to Dusseldorf, marries, and makes his home in that place—­His paintings—­Returns to New York—­Success in America—­The Government commission—­Journey to the Rocky Mountains—­The great fresco in the Capitol—­“Westward the Star of Empire takes it Way”—­Revisits Dusseldorf—­Reception by the artists—­Returns to the United States—­Further commissions from the Government—­His sudden death—­His unfinished works—­Mr. Tuckerman’s remarks.