New-York tribune., 1878-12-26
THE ARTIST WHO SUED RUSRLN


SKETCH OF JAMES A. WHISTLER A CADET WHO
| TOOK CARE NOT TO BECOME soLDIER-THE
ARTISTS BIRTH AND PARENTAGE-LETTER FROM
AN OLD CoMRADE.
| 10 the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: Mr.. James A. Whistler, the distin-
gushed artist though for many he has resided in
England by parentage. lie is the son OF
George W. Whistler United States Army. who was grad
uated at West Point and resigned December 81 1885,
while first lieutenant OF the I'd Regiment, United
States Artillery. After resgnine, Major Whistler, as hc
was usually called, pracsed the profession Of civil
engineer. He was successfully associate engineer OF
the Baltimore and OHIO Railroad: Baltimore aud Sus
| quehanna Railroad OF the Paterson and Hudson River
Railroad: also Of the Stonington and Providence Rail
| road; experimenting engineer OF Locks and Canals
| Company Lowell, Mass; consulting engineer Of the
Western Railroad from Worcester. Mass to Albany N
Y and it's chef engineer lsi0l42 In ls42 he went
TO Russia entered the service or the Emperor who
made him. the same year. experimenting engineer OF
the st. Petersburg and Moscow Railroad. which posi-
tIon he held till he died. April T. 1s40, in st. Peters
| burg, at the age Of forty eight
Young Whistler, James A., was born in st. Peters
| burg. lie came to this country aud was appointed
| cadet at large" by the President. He entered the
| West Point Military Academy July l, 1851 Generals
Comstock and Weitzel aud Professor Wheeler in
the same class. also Generals Breck, David NJ
Gregg A. $. Webb. ]. W. Turner, Torbert, Ayerell,
teen aud seventeen years of age when he
entered the Academy He was small OF stature,
but lithe active and very prepossossing In ap-
pearance and manners; withGl a good lnguist,
remarkably intelligent and witty, and soon became
general fayOre. In drawing and painting he stood at
the head OF class and the best artist the Acad
emy has had, before since his time. Highly
imaginative, aud endowed with o keen sense OF the
ridiculous and with extraordinary descriptive powers,
he was most entertaining companion. There was,
however little OF the steady, poddng student about
him. and his love OF adventure sometimes led him TO
risk the displeasure of the authorities.
Whistler was essentially genius OF the first water,
and recognized such from the start. For nearly
three years. without much effort his part, he made
more than fair progress in his studies. Then he be-
came reckless and dissatisfied and his friends claim.
failed on purpose TO pass the annual examination at tho
close Of his third year. Certainly there seemed no good
reason why young gifted should not in one
year moro have graduated with honor. he
failed in chemistry and his examination before the
Board while 1t was a performance characteristic
Of the man. did indeed seem designed by him TO oe
failure The subject given him 30 discuss silica,
which, as every schOoboy knows so excessively com
mon that constitutes sixth part OF the mineral crust
OF the globe But what does Whistler do but describe 1t
as "gas aud colorless." This startling statement,
taken In connection with his previous bad marks on the
same subject, ended his career as a cadet.
Mr. Whistlers grandfather his fathers side was
Colonel william Whistler. of the Attn United States
Infantry In 1915; his mother, who is still
living, was the daughter OF General Mcneil. from
North Carolina, who quite prominent man
In ls2O-'3O, and occupied high position in
Brooklyn previous TO his DEATH James A.
whistler hailed from Pomfret, COnn.-at least, he re-
corded his residence such at the time he entered the
Academy. At the time he gave the name Of his
guardian George W. Whistler, probably ms Older
brother who married daughter Of Mr.. Ross Winans,
and who in 1851, was superintendent OF the New
Haven Railroad.
Mr. Whistler resdesat least did reside very recently
in Linsley-row, Chelsea W. London, and is now about
forty-four years OF age. Y
Neuc-Lond0n, Dec. o, 1878.
The following ia the greater part OF the crosseIami
nation of Mr. Whistler at the recent trial OF his libel suit
against Mr.. Ruskin
CrosseXamned by the Attorney General-I have sent
pictures the Academy which have not been received
believe that Is experience OF all artists. did not
send any those which were exhibited IN the GrOs-
yener Gallery. The nOcturne In black and gold Is
night piece aud represents the fireworks at CremOrne
Not view o. Cremorue f-Ir 1t were called view OF
CIemorue would certainly bring about nothing but dis
appointment the pact Of the DehOlders Laugiter
1t Is artistic arrangement. IL was marked zoo
guineas.
Is not that what we who not artists would Gals
stiish priect think very likely that that may be
Artists do not get as much they for their pic
lures supposed ~ give the full value for their
ILaugher The In black and gold Ia finished
pictiire not intend anything with