them to Bernini, to enable him to execute his bust. The sculptor surveyed them with an anxious eye, and exclaimed, "Something evil will befall this man; he carries misfortune in his face." The tragical termination of the monarch's career, verified the sculptor's knowledge of physiognomy. Bernini made a striking likeness, with which the king was so much pleased, that, in addition to the stipulated price, six thousand crowns, he made him a present of a diamond ring, worth six thousand more.
BERNINI AND LOUIS XIV.
Bernini received the most flattering and pressing
invitations from Louis XIV. to visit Paris. At
length, he was persuaded by the great Colbert to
undertake the journey, and having with great difficulty
obtained permission of the Pope, he set out
for France, at the age of sixty-eight, accompanied
by one of his sons, and a numerous retinue. Never
did an artist travel with so much pomp, and under
so many flattering circumstances. By order of the
King, he was received everywhere on his way with
the honors due to a prince, and on his arrival at
Paris, he was received by the king with every mark
of distinction, and apartments assigned to him in
the royal palace. Louis defrayed all the expenses
of his journey, and to immortalize the event, had a
medal struck, with the portrait of the artist, and on
the reverse, the Muses of the Arts, with this in-
