網頁圖片
PDF
ePub 版

CHUB-FISHING-HARD NUTS

219

woman) early in the day. breakfast of milk, etc. placed on a chamois skin, and she gave him his meal cleverly and lengthily, while I painted him. The picture was a success, though finished in a week. When the child resumed his ordinary life, for a time he refused his breakfast unless all his clothes were taken off. Young Hallam grew up to be a fine fellow, entered the army, and died of illness in the Crimea during the siege of Sebastopol. While staying with the Hallams, we had to go out to dinner with one of their friends, some miles distant. The hostess was an old lady of eighty or more years of age. At dessert a question was asked whether some nuts on the table were cob-nuts or filberts. The old lady said, 'Send them up to me.' She declined the nutcrackers, and cracked the hard shells with her teeth. An old General sitting near her said, 'Good God, madam! We all laughed, as

She brought with her his He was then undressed and

did the hostess.

CHAPTER VII.

FRESCO-PAINTING, DUDDON VALLEY, ETC.

1857. - Besides finishing the replica of Pilgrim Fathers,' I exhibited a small picture, 'Breakfasttime, Morning Games,' for Mr. Eaton, and a little sketch, 'Affronted.' (C. E. cross with her dinner, because the meat was put on the wrong side' of her plate, as a lesson to her not to be dainty.) This was engraved without leave for Lloyd, and bought by Mr. Colls. In fresco I executed the

'Burial of Charles I.' at Windsor-the 'White Funeral,' as it was called, as a heavy snowstorm fell at the time.

[Diary for 1857: 'Saturday, January 3.-Dined at Sir B. Hawes at eight. Colonel Tulloch and Lady (?) Doyle and son, etc.; a very pleasant evening and capital dinner.

'Monday, 5th.-Glennie and Samuel Palmer dined with us; children rehearsed "Bombastes Furioso"C. and E., and Willie Richmond and More Palmer. 'Friday, 9th.-Council meeting of Royal Academy. My plan approved of for "form of candidates sig

* Now Lord Cheylesmore.

ROYAL ACADEMY ASSOCIATES

221

nifying their desire for membership." Names need now be entered once only in ten years instead of annually. Paid visit to Life Academy and Antique after the change of locality on my suggestion. A prodigious improvement to both-a great success. A plan brought forward by Government for enlarging our sculpture-room on occasion of adding another room to the National Gallery.

· Saturday, 10th.-Spent evening at the Cropseys', American artist (landscape) of respectability.

'Monday, 12th.-General meeting of Royal Academy. A discussion on E. Landseer's proposition to first decide on the class to be elected, which was negatived after a battle, the President giving the casting vote. Elmore elected after a contest with S. Smirke. Plans of proposed changes and enlargements of National Gallery and Royal Academy laid on the table, and suggestions given.

Wednesday, 14th.-Etching Club resumed meetings at each others' houses, beginning with mine. Tea at seven, supper at half-past nine; preferable to our late dinners at King's Arms. Webster sang the old Etching Club song again, much to the amusement of the newer members.

[ocr errors]

Friday, 16th.-Gave up my large study to children, who prepared it for our children's party, I helping. All promised well, so went out. At seven the guests began arriving, and about eight they began "Bombastes Furioso," which they did capitally; then tableaux and charades acted. Supper and dancing concluded a very merry, enjoyable evening;

about sixty-two guests. Robinson* and wife staying with us, and we promised to visit them next week.

[ocr errors]

Monday, 19th.-Preparing for workmen to lay down hot water pipes. They came and began work.

'Tuesday, 20th.-Fine cold day. Bad cold, but took rail to Berkhampstead and met Mr. Hutchinson; lunched, and drove to Bovingdon. Window looked pretty well.

'Wednesday, 21st.-Packed up and went to Petworth to stay with Robinson and wife (at New Grove). Bad cold. Arrived at five. Comfortable oak-panelled tapestried bedroom, with good fire, and all very snug. Capital house.

Thursday, 22nd.-Visited gallery at Petworth House. Very interesting collection. Vandycks very fine; lady in blue, and two young men arming.

Friday, 23rd. - Dined at Colonel Wyndham's. Party small, conversation nil; a good dinner, and wines excellent. Walked all round Petworth during my visit, averaging four or five hours daily.

'Saturday, 31st.-Returned home, and very glad to find all done and studios very comfortable.

'Monday, February 9. Dined at Sulivans' to meet Wilmer, whose son was going out to take his brother's place (killed at Sebastopol) in the regiment in India.

[ocr errors]

Tuesday, 17th.

Old Captain Mudge, of the
I had not

packet service to Ostend, dined with us.

* H. J. Robinson, engraver, afterwards R.A.

[ocr errors]

PETWORTH-WINDSOR, ETC.

223

seen him for eleven years, since we went to Switzerland.

'Monday, March 2.-Began a month's visiting in Life Academy-a tedious drudgery. Sat Bartlett, as piping boy.

[ocr errors]

Wednesday, 11th.-In Life Academy sat Miss Froud. Arms very good.

'Wednesday, 18th.-Sat Thompson in Life Academy for the remainder of the month.

[ocr errors]

Tuesday, April 30.-Duchess of Gloucester died at five, so that no private view by the royal party. Dinner likewise to be put off. Council meeting and lunch, and then to St. James's Park to watch workmen in the new ornamental water, Maclise and Hart with me. The former very amusing and comic in observations and jokes.

Friday, May 1.-Worked on cartoon of "Charles I.'s Funeral" in morning; joined wife at private view of Royal Academy in afternoon. Tom Taylor and Forster very complimentary. Gave tickets to Mr. Eaton and wife, Mr. Burnand,* and one to Lloyd.

'Saturday, 2nd.-There being no Academy dinner to detain me, went out with Charlie to Windsor to sketch west doorway of St. George's Chapel for fresco. Preparations for Duchess of Gloucester's funeral going on. Rambled about the castle, and then walked up the river to Maidenhead, where dined and train back to London.

* Arthur Burnand, uncle of the editor of Punch. † Edward Bond, chief librarian of British Museum. live near us, and we went much on the river together. a daughter of the author of the 'Ingoldsby Legends.'

Bonds† in

They used to

Mrs. Bond

« 上一頁繼續 »