The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1870-01-14

as 4 profession, and to render the decided
HAS of INV inclination an honorable
means of livelihood.
Seated one day in my studio, engaged in
putting the finishing touches to . small
fandscape. of which Q summer trip into
Shropshire had furnished me with q pre-
liminary sketch, / was wondering when
the love for the profession had chosen,
and the time and labor bestowed upon it,
would begin to bring back some substsn-
tial return in the form Of patronage and
commissions, when / was startled from my
revery by hasty tap at my door, and q
CHEEKY voice asking
aAre you at homer o, all rightp
II was q fellow-artist and particular
chum of my own, who, entering very un-
ceremoniously, and somewhat out of
breath, pumped himsef into the only va
cant chair, and at once proceeded with
"Pve brought you good news, my boy
Tn going to make your fortunep
Being considerably interested, l begged
him to explain, and only taking sufficient
time to ill his little brown pipe, he at
once assented, commencing with the in
quiry- a.,
Have You had any visitor here YETI"
mo-" [ replied. "You are the first"
aThat's ali right" he said; az wished
to be the first to tell you. Wen,
then, last evening / had a call from
a Rentleman-see, here's his card
MI. Francis ]. Bouverie,' who ap-
pears to be acting rs an agent to the Mar
quis Of -, in collecting for that noble
man small gallery of works by native
artists, being evidently q connoisseur in
such things; and Lord - is, as you
kno-v. q capital patron of our noble pro-
feesson of the canvas. He has selected
one or two of my things, and expressing a
desire for something in the small land
scape way, didn't forget you, and shall
be very happy if I've brought you your
first patron"
Thanked my friend very heartily for
his good nature, and began to fancy my
pet pictures already disposed Of
"He evidently means business" he
went on to say for he assured me his
lordship is not particular as to the price.
But we shall have to send our pictures to
be approved of at an address in Wimpole
street, which he has left with me. Show
him the best you have and confirm the
good character I've given of you. Don't
be sfrsid of putting good figure on the
pictures in fact, you may take lesson in
that particular, if in no other, from little
Tom Farncombe. The little cad was with
me when this party called, and Tom didn't
forget to advertise his own works most en-
ergetically. 4 want one or two nice little
bits of landscape says this Mr.. Bouverie
to me. Il have a sweet little thing al
home, close by 7 cries Tom, running his
fingers through his whitey-brown hair
and without more ado, he started of tC
fetch it. In the mean time mentioned
you to him, and you may expect him,
take it, any minute"
"Hailo, Brother Daubs, what's the
news? ?" at that moment came from an ugly
face, with q red stubby beard and mus
tache, and ocherish- looking hair, carried
behind the ears, peeping in at the door
AZ was Just passing-looked in, you know
Done business with your friend, Charley?'
addressing my companion. Halloi ole
fellow, your foliage is rather heavy aim
its" to me. By the by, showed him
the agent to Lord -, | mean-that littl,
thing spoke Of Delighted with it. sir
delighted Shall send 1t up to Wimpol,
street at once. / suppose he hasn't calle(
on you, has he ?" he added, turning to me
"By the way don't like that sky there
no weather in it. He told me Lord =
wanted paintings by men OF note only
and So
"He applied to you, Tom, eh ?" asket
Charley.
Exactly I" replied the other, appar
emily unconscious of the tone of sarcasm
accompanying the question. "Remembe
the subject of miner Figures -children-
fishing village pool-sweet effect in mid
die distance p
"Ahi" says Charley. "a copy, ism
"Copyi Are you copys MOI sketchet
it last spring. A sweet thing, mind me
no two mistakes about thatp
"Well," says Charley, seeing l was be
coming bored, Frank wants to finish, 81
come along, Tom, and send your swee
thing to Wimpole street as soon as posi-
bic, or he may change his mind"
"Not much fear of thatT' replies Tom
and after few more suggestions to NE
as to the tone of the c,1y and the handling
of the foliage, my two friends withdrew.
In the course of the day the servan
announced visitor, and looking at thu
card she presented, l recognized tn,
name mentioned by Charley. A Sigh
figure, and gentleman-like appearance, ,
frank and easy address, and the genera
demeanor of polite man of business.
was more than ever disposed to be pleased
with my new patron.
al have waited on you" he commenced
in q singularly soft and pleasing voice
"as agent of the Marquis Of in Sc
lecting small gallery of works by nativ
artists. His lordship, as you are aware
is an enthusiast in such matters, and pos
sesses no small degree of ability himsel
as an amateur. He is particularly favora
BILE to the smaller sized paintings like tha
on your easel there, and if you are at Lit
erty to dispose of any that may suit him
perhaps We may come to terms"
hastened to assure him should onl
be too happy, and very gladly called hi
attention to some of my best efforts.
"Ah," he said, stepping back and scrut
nizing each as / placed it in the most favor
able position, with his eyes partly CLOSED
and his head on one side, and speakin
slowly, "that's the sort of thing. That
about his lordship's mark, fancy. A Ieet
cold, perhaps, but very nice. All, that's
better one to my view. Do you thinl
now, tyou could manage-say, four of thes'
and send them at once to this address,
expect the marquis in town the day afte
tomorrow, or it may be later; he wi
then inspect the collection have mad,
and make his own selections. Write nam
and price on back of each, and suppos
you favor me with a caldwell (referrin
to pocket diary and making note there
in), this day week, the Gath, eh-will this
beconvenienty"
assured him nothing could be bette
and having seen my pleasant visitor
the door, returned in high spirits to th
completion of my work.
Taking what l thought my best picture
in a four-wheeler the next day to the &C
dress in Wimpole street, found sewers
brother artists already assmbled Their,
evidently on the same errand as mysel
among them my friend Charley and littl
Tom Farcombe. The latter was, as usua
The most noisy, being engaged in the al
gument respecting the hanging of tn
"sweet thing )" the light was bad, or tn
position unfavorable; but the uniforr
urbanity of his lordship's agent smoothe
all difficulties. and Gained the ruffle
temper of our friend Whether it wa
professional envy on my part, or def
cheney of appreciative power, am FIRE
to confess could not see the great meri
of Toms painting, although the impetuou
little artist continued to insist on it
having the most favorable place in tn
room.
Don't you see, my very dear sir" b
argued, "unless you get the light in tina
direction you miss that charming effect il
the middle distance
fancied once or twice / saw sly smil
Turk at the corners Of the mouth, O
twinkle in the eyes, as with unwaverinl
mod tampf r and nolifauaSs Mr. Rouveri