NOTICE

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

POUSSIN and SALVATOR ROSA are added to the second edition of the Old Painters. The author acknowledges her obligation to the highly-gifted pen of Lady Morgan for her spirited delineation of the "Life and Times of Salvator Rosa," from which much information has been gained.

February, 1841.

"Is Protogenes at home?" inquired a young man, as he entered the painting-room of the artist.

No, master," replied an old woman, who was seated near a panel prepared for painting-"No, master; he has gone forth to breathe the fresh air; and much does he need it after toiling here all day. It is his custom, at the approach of evening, to go down to the sea-shore, and snuff the breezes that come skimming over the water from the Grecian Isles."

"Is he then so laborious?" said the stranger.

"Ay, to be sure he is. They say he is determined to excel Apelles of Cos. Be that as it may, he never thinks his pictures are finished; — but it is no business of mine-else I might say life is too short, to spend three or four years in lingering, still unsatisfied, over the same picture."

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"Thy life does not seem to have been a short

one, mother," said the stranger, examining the lines of care and sorrow, which had strongly marked a face that might once have been hand

some.

She looked earnestly at him without replying.

"I have urgent business with Protogenes," said the stranger.

Very well; leave your name, and fix the time when you will come again. You cannot fail of finding him at home, when the sun gets above yonder loop-hole, and that is about the tenth hour in the morning."

The stranger drew a small tablet from under his robe, and seemed to be about inscribing his name. Suddenly he approached the panel, and, taking a pencil, which lay near, drew simply a line. As he looked up, he perceived the old woman looking intently upon it.

"Look, mother," said he, smiling, "canst thou read that name?"

She fixed on him a steady look. "My eyes," replied she, are dim with age, and I never was

taught your Greek letters; but I can read thy face."

"And what dost thou read there?"

"That which my master is seeking

truth."

"Dost thou think I am looking for it at the bottom of a well?" said the stranger, smiling.