is  forgotten,  may  that  of  Lionardo  da  Vinci
be  preserved  by  its  own  brightness.  Virtue
creates  immortality  ;  genius  may  emblazon
the  name  of  an  artist  in  this  lower  world  ;
but  his  virtues  find  a  reward  in  heaven.  Be
it  yoius  to  live  in  the  praise  and  blessing  of
posterity  ;  but  look  only  to  another  existence
for  the  recompense.  My  strength  is  fast  fail-
ing :  I  must  depart  to  that  land  where  the
good  and  the  true  meet  again.  Thou  couldst
not  desire  to  detain  me  here.  Farewell !  I
leave  behind  me,  in  thee,  a  glorious  continua-
tion of  myself.     My  mission  is  finished."

In  a  few  minutes  after  these  his  last
words,  Lionardo's  tears  fell  fast  and  bitter  on
the  lifeless  form  of  his  good  old  master,  as  he
gently  closed  his  eyes,  and  signed  the  holy
cross  on  his  venerable  forehead.  "  Yes,"  he
exclaimed,  kneeling  reverently  by  his  side,
"  thy  prayers  shall  be  fulfilled.  I  will  sub-
due the  evil  elements  of  my  nature ;  and  not
for  myself,  but  for  mankind,  will  I  labor  in
the  divine  art  which  I  learned  from  thee,  and
of  which  thy  last  lesson  has  now  taught  me
the  true  spirit ;  —  and  my  reward  shall  be
with  thee  in  heaven."

The  Castello  di  Vinci,  situated  in  the
beautiful  Val  d'Arno,  was  the  birth-place  of


LIONARDO    DA    VINCI.  65

Lionardo.  He  was  one  of  the  most  accom-
plished men  of  his  time.  His  face  was  fine
and  intellectual,  his  figure  commanding,  his
bearing  graceful,  his  air  noble  and  courteous.
