The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-02-14
Turner's Queen.Anne Street House.

.
without, the Qneen Anne Street house
was still more dismal within. The gal
lerv, where were stored treasures of ines
Unable worth, was dreary and dilapidat-
ed. The drugget, once red, Was gray and
threadbare; the screen was made OF the
black strips of some refuse or "remain-
DER" the red cloth on the walls. marked
all over with tack holes, had been bought
bv turner as bargain, after having been
used at the Abbey for the Queens coro-
nation. In winter the gallery had lit
tie fire, but not enough to destroy the
dampness which crept In at every crack
and corner Many or the pictures became
cracked, warped and seriously injured
In one picture a great white button OF
paint, that had stood for the sun, had
dropped off. Il think some one has
pick 4 it off Intentionally" said visitor
one day.
II Ink somebody has," replied Tur-
ner, unmoved. Here, in this cherries
little room, stacked against the walls.
hanging where the rain streamed down
the canvasses from the warped sashes and
paper patched frames of the ill-fitting
sky .lights, were collected some of the
noblest landscapes that were painted,
while in other parts of the dismal house
thirty thousand proofs of magnificent en-
cravings, piles OF drawings and sketches
the rudiments and first thoughts of I'm
ished works-were stuffed In dark closets
or laid away in portfolios and presses and
boxes, rotting and molding, uncared fol
bv any one but the tailless cats that hid
| N~to rOr h,,v~6po6o rhooks
fer thousands, had been offered again and
again in that gallery to the ar
list. He always refused to part with hi
pictures there. Eager and grasping t.
make money, he showed strange per
sistency in keeping certain treasures IL
his possession.
Although he left the Building ol
Carthage :" to be injured in the wretchet
gallery, he sternly refused it At one tim
to = gentleman who offered E25, 900 for II
You cannot have it." said he; "a. it
willed to the nation" This picture va
originally painted for E1O0 for . gentle
, man who declined to take it because tn
critics were very severe on its character
| and Turner felt great delight in being Of
+ ferred such IN immense sum for 1t Attei
/ ward. Nov they cannot have it b
> used often to say. They shen neve
buy it for money" To certain picture
I he was deeply aftached, and when induce
Z to sell them, would 60 about wearing
. look of great dej.ction. When presse
by some friend to explain the reason
4 his trouble, he would sorrowfully exclain
g 1--WE lost one Of my children this week
i Turner was always peculiar about seilin
pictures.
vi At times he would receive . custom'
Il with the greatest afability. and easi
n make = bargain or undertake . commi
/ sion; this was when he by chance was
% good humor. At one time. when osiers
4, $1,000 apiece for = few old kesch-boot
il he proceeded to turn them over leaf
leaf before the eyes Of the delighted pu
Of chaser. well. would you really like
rs have thems" The man, with the mon
r. ready in his hands, was proceeding to n
possession. when Turner, with ma.icio
h. Il dare say you would,' suddenly lock
= them in q drawer and turned on his he
leaving the would-be purchaser in indi
ne uant establishment Sometimes, BY
- tie wit and daring. Of both OF which n
lv ner had = large share, and which quaint
n be admired in others, : purchaser YOU
IN nut him in . moment IN . tT1cfabie mo-
A rich manufacturer Of Birmingham q
Il determined 10 obtain admiap1n at .
"a price TO the enchanted ho0se IN ca
Anne Street.
"a Arrived q The blistezed, dirty door
"a he house With The blnck-czuseed windO'
he pulled the he'll vAscA ansuered ~
ne | . q1er1lo1s, melancAoay tinkle- Ana