Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-10-28
Queen Victoria and sulIy the Artist

la 1887 II wentt to England, ana wniie
there painted a portrait of Queen Victo-
ria, on a commission from the ST. Georges
Society of Philadelphia. After had al
most despaired of being able to obtain
sitting, my friend, Lord Francis Edger-
ton, secured Lord Palmerston's influence
in my behalf / called early one day on
the latter be had just turned out of his
bed, and was slipping his morning coffee.
Everything is arranged" he said;
the Queen will sit to-day at ten." /
found him delightful person, who re-
minded me of Henry Clay in his manners.
"How does the right of universal suf-
frage come on ?" be asked.
II am not politician" | answered;
81 really do not know but l think it is
meeting with great opposition, and don't
think it will succeed"
~ hope not" said Lord Palmerston
sit will get you into heap of trouble" "
A painting-room was arranged for my
accom- notation in Buckingham Palace.
| told the men who were laying the car
pets that they had fixed the rooms up
quite enough, but they said, oh, no, the
Queen is particular.
In order to reach the painting-room |
had to pass through room called the
Kings closet, and / saw lying upon the
Queens desk books which showed that
she did not read nonsense. Among these
books were Channing's Discourses. /
received the impression at the time that
she was q Unitarian. The Queen came
to the sittings with her secretary, the
Baroness Letzen. She was very affabe,
like a well-bred lady of Philadelphia or
Boston, and used to talk about different
things. saw that she relished American
friendship very much; she had not had
such treat for long time. told her l
would get my daughter to sit with the re-
galia-if there would be no improperly
i'm order to save her the trouble.
"Oh, no improperly" replied Vic
toria, !" but don't spare me; if l can be
of any service will sit"
After that my daughter sat with the re-
gala, which weighed thirty or forty
pounds. The earrings had to be tied
with loop, as had not allowed her ears
to be pierced.
One day the Queen sent word that she
would come in if my daughter would re-
main where she was. But of course,
Blanche stepped down, and the two girls,
who were almost the same age, chatted
together quite familisrly.
The Queen wrote her name for me in
thiss manner:
For Mr.. Sully,
VICTORIA REGINA.
She also gave my daughter a medal
and her signature.
Her mouth was always little open
probably owing to shortuess of the up
per lip--and thus l painted it. But the
upper part of the face was very fine, and
her eyes, though protubersnt, were beau
tiful. The picture painted for the St.
Georges Society has been placed in the
Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts. l
gave a copy of it to the Thistle Society
of Charleston, in acknowledgment of
their kindness to me, and the original
study of the head is in my study.
A lawyer in London, by the name of
Langley, asked me:
"Were you not awe-struck when you
painted that picture
NO" / replied, 81 have painted
number of ladies of as high respectable
ity as the Queen.
'"Why," he said, Tan English painter
would have been overcome"
When | was in London, at another
time, was told the Qusen had inquired
after me but as she did not send for me
to come to her, some of my friends were
astonisbed By my not presenting myself
at the Court, where, however, shonld
have run the risk of meeting with re-
buff from some person in attendance.
Oae day, was told, the Baroness Let
zen, her Secretary, held up the Queens
handkerchief-which had been found
omewhere-saying, "This is the Queens
siyn-msnual The company laughed
to see it full Of holes; but Victoria said
that she liked handkerohiefs which we're
well worn aud soft, as they we're then
pleasant to sop" her eyes with.
Leslie told me that once the Queen
came to witness the progress of the fres-
Going in Buckingham Palace, which was
being done by himself and Esstlske. As
the company we're going up the walk the
little Prince of Wales fell and scratched
his arm on the gravel. The attendants
rushed to his assistance but Victoria
said; "When you stop bsllowing like q
calf you shall be attended TO-.
The same artist told me that her
teacher of riding once called to pay his
respects 20 her.
rs there any office in the palace l can
give you p she asked.
He said there was meme.
"Well, then" said the Qlsen, " will
make one. You shall be my stirrup-
holder"
So daily be was at his post, whether
the Queen rode or not-Thomds Sully,
in Hours at Home, for N0Uember.