Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-01-18
THACKERAY.
Fresh Reminisce cenCes Of Him

Jas. E Freeman, the artist, writing in
Appeton's Journal, says:
My first acquaintance with Thackeray
was in l844-'45. He was on his return
to Rome from a trip in the East, and was
employed that winter upon an early work
OF his, entitled From Cornhin to Grand
Cairo" | must trust mainly to my men,
ory for the following reminiscence of
him, as | find it only briefly sketehed in
my diary:
No one but a professional artist ever
entered the art t-atmosphere of Rome with
a heartier appreciation of it, or felt
more genuine sympathy with the artists
than the apthor OF Vanity Fair" His
fondness for art commenced early in life,
and 70: several years be pursued his
studies with an intention of entering the
list of aspirants for artistic fame, and,
like Hazlitt, became discouraged, and
relinquished it practically; but the art
idea was predominant iu both, and de-
veloped itself in-o,her channels-in the
one by writing pictures of life and hu-
man emotions which will probably live
longer. than if he had portrayed them on
canvas; and in the other by giving to the
world some OF the most sensible and
valuable criticisms on art ever written.
The time devoted to the study of art was
therefore OF great value to Thackeray, as
it gave him an insight into character,
and enabled him to work out details SO
minutely and truthfuIy that all his de-
lineations are strong and effective. Some
of bis pages Of fiction are creations
artistic6liy constructed with light and
shadow, Grm, bold and sparkling touch,
yet often Of so delioste and sweet tone
that no force OF modification or color
could excel. Even admitting the cgm-
mon criticism applied to him, that "he
does not choose to idealize human ma
ture," he had enough Of the imaginative
quality to give a finish and charm to the
realities Of life. He often looked back
with fond longing for the juvenile mis-
tress he had ceurted and parted from
with regret, and there was to him fas'
cination in everything connected with a
painters life. Rome, therefore, suited
him admirably, and he gave himself
almost entirely to the society of students
and professors Of art, indulging fire.
quently his old passion by making
sketches and clever illustrstioGg. He
formed a number of warm personal
friends, and took great interest in their
several careers. and there are instances
of self denial aud unfeigned liberality
long to be remembered by those who
knew his kind heart and witnessed his
generous acts. One of these came lpder
nay own observation, which / will speak
of hereafter.
On his second visit 10 Rome he was
accompanied by his two young daugh-
ters, and occupied very pleasant apart
ments in the Via della Croce. | hap
pened to make my call on twelfth night,
and found the distinguished author stand
ing behind tall desk at the end of the
room, which apparently had been i'm
provised to suit his peculiar habit of
standing when at work. He shook hands
with me very cordially, presented me to
his daughters, and then, WITHOUT further
ceremony or words returned to his
writing-stand and resumed his pen. He
seemed entirely TO ignore my presence
as also that Of another visitor, country.
man Of his, who also was making an
evening call
The young ladies we're very quiet and
parsimonious in their observations,
which was somewhat embarrassing, bat,
ending the Englishman disposed to mon
opolize the conversation, ] remained
silent, and would have taken my depart
ure in a very few noments, had | not
caught glance at. ThaeleFRy's COM
manding figure, as it bent over the apaipt
piece of furniture, which appeared to be
but 3 feeble and rickety support for his
heavy arms snd shoulders, and | ex-
pected monentSEily to see the fragile
skeleton, which shook iG every joint, fall
TO pieces under the energetic hand which
piled the pen with yigor and earnest
ness had rarely noticed in any other
individual.
soon forgot the crazy machinery OF
his desk in watching the extraordinary
contortions and expressions OF his face
now it would assume most grotesque
character as much like the English
Punch as features so inaexible as Thaek'
cray s could be made to portrayi then it
would change to fierce, heroic anger, and
sometimes put on the semblance Of gem
tie, seductive sweetness. Some Of his
grimaces were so comcal that they near
ly made me forget the presence Of his
daughters, and | was near the rudeness
of bursting out in laughter as one might
have done in witnessing a comical per
formance at the theatar, was so fas-
cinated, despite the questionable good
breeding of it, that ! could not Withdraw
my eyes from his face. Good Heayensl
mentally exclaimed, Udo authors bring
their thoughts into existence by such
twisting and writhing Of muscles2
4 coniaofu.ad that he was writing aOule