CHAPTER VI.
[figure description] 503EAF. Page 227. Image of George and Mary standing in a gallery before the
Capitoline Venus. It is ten years later than the onset of the story
and George is a wealthy, portly man, while Mary, who is holding onto
his arm, is cradling a baby.[end figure description]
[Scene—The Roman Capitol Ten Years Later.]
“Dearest Mary, this is the most celebrated statue in the world. This is the
renowned `Capitoline Venus' you've heard so much about. Here she is with her
little blemishes `restored' (that is, patched) by the most noted Roman artists—
and the mere fact that they did the humble patching of so noble a creation will
make their names illustrious while the world stands. How strange it seems—this
place! The day before I last stood here, ten happy years ago, I wasn't a rich man—
bless your soul, I hadn't a cent. And yet I had a good deal to do with making
Rome mistress of this grandest work of ancient art the world contains.”
“The worshipped, the illustrious Capitoline Venus—and what a sum she is
valued at! Ten millions of francs!”
“Yes—now she is.”
-- 228 --
[figure description] Page 228.[end figure description]
“And oh, Georgy, how divinely beautiful she is!”
“Ah, yes—but nothing to what she was before that blessed John Smith broke
her leg and battered her nose. Ingenious Smith!—gifted Smith—noble Smith!
Author of all our bliss! Hark! Do you know what that wheeze means? Mary,
that cub has got the whooping cough. Will you never learn to take care of the
children!”
THE END.
The Capitoline Venus is still in the Capitol at Rome, and is still the most charming
and most illustrious work of ancient art the world can boast of. But if ever it
shall be your fortune to stand before it and go into the customary ecstacies over it,
don't permit this true and secret history of its origin to mar your bliss—and when
you read about a gigantic Petrified Man being dug up near Syracuse, in the State
of New York, or near any other place, keep your own counsel,—and if the Barnum
that buried him there offers to sell to you at an enormous sum, don't you buy. Send
him to the Pope!”
Note.—The above sketch was written at the time the famous swindle of the “Petrified Giant”
was the sensation of the day in the United States.
-- 229 -- p503-228
Twain, Mark, 1835-1910 [1875], Mark Twain's sketches, new and old. Now first published in complete form. (American Publishing Company, Hartford) [word count] [eaf503T].
