The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1879-01-22
WEDNESDAY. JAN. %, 1879.
John f. Il. Champion.
BRITISH MINISTER AT WASHINGTON FROM 1852
TO 1856.


TO 1856.
This is chapter from forthcoming book by Charles Ian
man, entitled RGphGzard Personalities
Numerous and very pleasant are the recollec-
tions which | cherish OF this accomplished man.
he first came to Washington a charge d'afaires,
from England, 10 l647, was subsequently made
full minister. received the honor Of knighthood,
aud after an honorable career in Russia and in
Spain, was retired upon pension, and settled
in his native Ireland for the balance of bis days.
His father, Philip Champion was an eminent
surgeon in ireland, and he had brother who
stood high as a Clergyman in the Established
Church Of England.
became acquainted with him in 1850, at Mr..
Webster's table. and / was perhaps the last
friend who shook his hand, prior to bis sudden
departure from Washington. The fact that we
we're both fond Of fishing and of painting, drew
Us together from the start, and both OF those
pursuits we enjoyed IN company during his en-
tire sojourn in this country. If could pilot him
to the best pools in the Potomac for fly fishing.
be, on the other hand had the power of reward
ing me in princely manner. by his conversation
on the fine arts but as to the sketching grounds
where we studied nature l think our discoveries
were about equal, for he was a famous explorer
Of retired and beautiful hooks in the local see
merry. vi Uduy OCCdslOUS, WUeu tue W6dtUeT
was favorable we visited the Little Falls, before
breakfast land once, ! remember, he captured not
less than thirty rock-fsh) on the afternoon of
the same day, we have taken drive in his open
carriage, and each produced a sketch and in
the evening, would follow an elegant dinner at
the legation, and long, and to me, very instruc-
tive conversation upon art, illustrated with his
treasures 10 the way OF eDgraviDgs, etcbings,
drawings and paintings. His ability as an artist
was remarkable, and he produced water color
drawings and oil paintings with equal facility,
and that facility was great. He painted pictures
chiefly for the pleasure the employment afforded,
and | have seen him destroy his productions by
the dozen; and among the pictures which now
possess and which rescued from the floor of
his studio, | may mention a seaside and a view
of Killarney in water colors, and market women
in the rain and portrait of himself 10 oil. The
only things from his own pencil which be seemed
TO value were series of effects in color which
he had copied from the old masters in the lead
ing galleries of Europe.
The state dinners which Mr.. Champion gave
were grand affairs big men, Senators and foreign
diplomats attended them, and OF course they
were often stupid but the private dinners were
enjoyable. II was ut one Of these that met
young Bulwer, before he had blossomed into
poet as OUen Meredith be was at that time an
attache to the legation, and when | afterwards
read his first book OF poetry, was simply as
tonished, for / had not anticipated mind OF
such strength in such quiet little body as he
had appeared to me, and when | afterwards saw
him gazetted as the Viceroy of India, and head
and front of the Afghanistan war, my amazement
knew no bounds. The two gentlemen who acted
as MIR. Champions chief secretaries during his
residence in Washington were John Savile Lum-
ley and Philip Griffith, both of whom have since
distinguished tbemselvea in the diplomatic SER
vice. The first was an artist and an angler, and
accompanied me in one of my fishing tours to
New Brunswick. Mr.. Griffith was a man of
high culture and distinguished for his conversa-
tional powers.
Among the men of note whom met at Mr..
Crampton's table was Sir Edmund Head, whom
had seen before at Fredericton, New Bruins
wick. and from whom had received some favors
bearing upon the salmon streams of the Province.
He was fond of art, and an adept with the pencil,
and one day, after be had been looking over my
sketches from nature, he joined Mr. Champion
IN complimenting them and told this truth that
my finished pictures did not by any means equal
my studies in the fields and woods. Some of
my autumn subjects he fancied in particular, and
my vanity was such at the moment that told
him to help himself to all he wanted. He
promptly and cordially complied with my re.
quest, and since then i have frequently had &C.
casion to regret my fit of liberality, although
glad that anything from my pencil should have
been taken to England.
Among the hobbies that Mr. Champion en-
ployed to crafty his taste, while in this country
was the forming of collection of European carl.
catures and when W. M. Thackeray was In
Washington, two large boxes of these comicaI
raaaiyad hr !
the novelist was present at the opening. Fresh
as he was from London, Mr.. Thackeray found
many things IN this collection which be had
never before seen, and for two days he devoted
almost his entire time to their examination. The
result was that, at a subsequent dinner, given by
MIR. Champion, the deponent enjoyed a most
learned and entertaining conversation between
the host and his distinguished guest on the his
tory oil pscatorial sarcasm and in few months
thereafter, an article made its appearance on the
subject, in one of the British quarterlies, FROM
the pen OF the celebrated wit and novelist
Another thing which attracted the special after
ton OF Mr.. I'hackeray, during his visit to The
metropolis, was the residence itself of Mr.. Cramp
ton, on the Heights Of Georgetown. The build
ing was large, and had all the comforts of az
old-iashioned mansion, and it stood in the mids
of grove of splendid oak trees, commanding q
superb view Ol w asnl0gtOD and the broad bosom
of the Potomac. 1t was for many years tbs
home of the late John Carter; after Mr.. Cramp
ton left 1t, it was occupied by the French Min
listers. Count S0rtiges and NJ MERCER, having
been burned while in the possession of the lat
ter, and the locality became the property o
Henry d. Cooke, the Governor of the District
OF Columbia.
The art treasures which Mr.. CHAMPION de
lighted to gather around him consisted chiefly
as already intimated, of line engravings, etch
iDgs, and water-color drawings. HIS engravings
were numerous, some of them exceedingly fine
bat the entire collection was not equal to tina
which formerly belonged to George P. Marsh
his collection of etchings however, was unsur
passed in this country and was especially rich il
Rembrandts, and in the way of water-colors
bis collection was very valuable and rare Hi
favorites were David Cox and Copeley Fielding
and be owned some Of their best productions
The arrival of q new picture from England. fol
he was constantly receiving them, was quite an
important event at the Legation, and connected
with one of them, have this anecdote. Or
the day it was received, Mr. Champion wrot,
me: THE David Cox is arrived and nv cool
has discovered live lobster, which | shall be
glad If you will partake of in the shape of .
salad. at seven o'clock this evening"" / went
and almost the first thing be told me was the
story of the unpacking. At the moment the pic
ture was taken out of the box, at the front door
one of our stalwart Wastarn sana.ors mad ~;