The New York herald., 1879-08-11
ART Cn1r1cIsM AND ROMANCE.


Outside OF limited circle Henry Merritt was un-
known; but that circle choice To Ameri-
can readers Merritt will perhaps be remembered as
having married Miss Anna Lea, of Philadelphia, an
artist whose pictures attracted dattering attention
1t the Centennial Art Gallery. Merritt hity-
four years Of age when he married Miss Lea: but
she was the only love of his life and he died in
few months after they welded. He was pic
ture restorer. art critic and story writer. and
man Of unusually nice feeling and taste, though
not at all genius. His restorations were con-
sdered marvellous and. during the last years OF his
life he made quite fortune in his profession. In
two volumes devoted to his life aud works. pub
lished by @. Kegsn Paul 4 Co., London. and edited
by Mr.. Basil Champneys. the widow OF Henry Mer-
ritt gives long and loving memoir Of her husband
which reads more like romance than reality.
Merritt was born in oxford. and the son OF
poor tailor with large family. His mother was
not long in seeing that he had mind beyond that
OF his brothers and sisters. she determined that
he should have some education. He was for time
the only pupil OF young woman. who busted him
with making over curled hair for mattresses. His
mind did not improve under that tutor. SO ho be-
came blue coat boy in the parish school. The poor
child seems to have been more than half fed,
aud often ate roots aud to the cravings
of his stomach. He was employed by woman who
kept stationery shop to collect bills owed by slow
paying collegians. The boy quite successful in
this as he hesitated to dun the debtor when
ever he found him. For example, he walked into
professors room day. and not at ali disturbed at
finding class recitation going on, delivered his
message undismayed-" Please, sir. Mrs. Virgins
sends this little account and would be glad to have
her money, which has been owing three years.
For such valuable services Henry was paid eighteen
pence week. penny of this hard earned
money was spent every week for illustrated
paper. the pictures in which he would copy ut odd
moments. He at one time saved enough pennies to
buy u box OF water colors studio fitted up in
scorner of tho family pigsty. aud there he passed
many happy moments. Finally he apprenticed
to frame maker for seven weary years. During all
that time he studied art diligently. and when ho
won't to London set up picture cleaner In a very
modest way. working in bric-a-brac shops by day
and sleeping in penny lodgings by night When
Miss Lea became acquainted with Merritt he was
prosperous and would have been rich IL he had not
been generous. The young American girl rented
= studio in the same building and accident brought
them together. For ive years hc was her devoted
master and she his enthusiastic pupil. Then she
became his wifo for few short months I'VE are
too happy" he would say; cit cannot last" Mrs
Merritt seems to have q thorough appreciation
OF her husbands talents and OF the great benefit his
career. 1t Is doubtful whether Merritt would ever
have become great painters his faculty seemed to
have been for the appreciation of the work OF Others
He had superior mind and gentle manners. and his
friends grieved sincerely for his loss.