stage of drunkenness.

The young artist, however, though
incapable of executing, or even of
appreciating, anything of true sublimity,
had nevertheless discernment enough to
prevent his being by any means satisfied
with his work; and many were the patient
erasures and corrections which the limbs
and features of saint and devil underwent,
yet all without producing in their new
arrangement anything of improvement or
increased effect.

The large, old-fashioned room was
silent, and, with the exception of himself,
quite deserted by its usual inmates. An
hour had passed--nearly two--without
any improved result. Daylight had
already declined, and twilight was fast giving
way to the darkness of night. The
patience of the young man was exhausted,
and he stood before his unfinished production,
absorbed in no very pleasing ruminations,
one hand buried in the folds of his
long dark hair, and the other holding the
piece of charcoal which had so ill executed
its office, and which he now rubbed, without
much regard to the sable streaks which
it produced, with irritable pressure upon