Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-02-13
An English Painter,

If Mr.. Millais in his youth ever
dreamed that he dwelt in marble halls,
his dream has been fully realized while
he is yet in the prime of manhood.
The home which he has built and made
beautiful is the fitting reward of the
genius which has done so much to adorn
the homes of the nation at large and to
shed honor on English art. 1t is the
reward, too, of hard work /; for among
his many amiable and admirable quail
ties, none is more characteristic of the
man than his indOmitable industry, his
tenacious perseverance. During the
working months of the year, Mr.. Millais
applies himself to his professional
business with single-hearted devotion.
Until the completion of his pictures
makes him free man, the door of his
studio is sealed against all corners.
Even to his intimate friends he reveals
not the secret of his sanctum until the
early days Of April. Meanwhile, his
sympathies with his fellowmen are still
active. If be prefers keeping his head
cool, his hand steady, and his mind
concentrated by spending his evenings
quietly by his own tireside, instead of
dissipating time and energy on general
society, he still finds moments to give
to atfectionate councils over the easels
OF felloW-workers and, however severe
his own work, has never been known to
refuse the aid of advice and sympathy
to those who seek and need it. Some
people say that Millais is getting care
less in his work, and that he paints too
much to paint always we'll i; but what
can exceed in either pathos or finish his
Princes in the Tower or Ef1ie Deans p
which was exhibited privately that the
proceeds might 60 to the Artists Benev.
olent Fund, an institution in which he
takes special interest and to which he
devotes no little care and labor.
When the doors of Burlington House
have closed on the labors of the fore
going year, the doors of his house ut
Palace'gate are thrown open. Let us
enter with ticket of leave, which an
nounces that Mrs. Millais is at home.
Some eight hundred guests pass through
the brilliantly-lighted marble hall, be-
tween its rows of stately pillars, and file
slowly up and down the broad staircase.
along which runs dado of marble. and
on which lies rich Indian carpet. On
the first landing Mrs. Millais and her
daughter welcome the coming and speed
the parting guests, making foreground
worthy OF the scenery beyond. Against
the wall OF the wide landing marble
basin-which has Especial water supply
OF Its OWNS surrounded by ferns and
moss. A sea-lion, with a fish in its
mouth, and water issuing from its nos.
trils, has apparently just risen from its
depths. This curiosity of natural his.
tory, designed by the possessor, and
executed in highly polished black mar.
Die, is SO life-like that one can imagine
Frank auckland claiming it as long.
lost member OF his own peculiar family,
Marble busts by Burns of Mrs. Millais
andtw OF her daughters preside over all
RAISING EDWARDS we turn to the left
and enter the lofty studio, forty fee,
long, which seeras to vanish into the
green woods of the tapestry beyond
ANY curious stranger finding himself
alone In this chamber of art might be
startled, not SO much by the weirdness
OF the lay figures as by the various de.
wees OF the artist, were they suddenly
to reveal themselves. At the end Of
the room q long trap door opens, by
which pictures descend into regions
below. Close at hand there is q wind
ing iron staircase for the artist and his
assistants. To the right heavy curtain
can be withdrawn, showing an immense
folding-door, through which the arr
treasures are carted away to the Koya
Academy on receiving day. In Other
parts of the wall mysterious and invisi.
bic little doors open, serving the pur
pose of bolt-holes for the artist wh.r
flying from a sitter, or a retreat for
the father when making a sudden de-
scent on his family. Meanwhile, the
easel Is superseded by the piano, round
which group of distinguished musi
clans are gathered, ard near them many
members OF the upper ten are airing
their charms and their diamonds in the
Dude light of Royalty.
The host makes his genial presence
felt everywhere. But the crowd in.
creases fast, and the pressure becomes
little difficult to bear. We pass
through the tolding-doors into scene