have a simple cross, for with that I can reverence Christ in faith; I can worship him as he is in himself, and as I contemplate him in my own mind." This was accordingly done, so that the artist was no longer troubled by an indifferent specimen of sculpture.
RIBALTA'S MARRIAGE.
Francisco Ribalta, an eminent Spanish painter,
studied first in Valencia, where he fell in love with
the daughter of his instructor. The father refused
his consent to the marriage; but the daughter promised
to wait for her lover while he studied in Italy.
Ribalta accordingly went thither and devoted
himself to his art, studying particularly the works of
Raffaelle and the Caracci, and returned, after a considerable
time, to his native country. Quickened
by love, he had attained a high degree of excellence.
On arriving at the city of Valencia, he went to the
house of his beloved, who meanwhile had proved
faithful; and her father being away from home, he
finished the sketch of a picture in his studio, in his
mistress' presence, and left it to produce its effect
upon the hitherto inflexible parent. The latter, on
returning, asked his daughter who had been there,
adding, with a look at the picture, "This is the man
to whom I would marry thee, and not to that dauber,
Ribalta." The marriage of course took place, immediately;
and the fame of Ribalta soon procured
him abundant employment.
