The Press., 1890-05-22
(Translated from the French.) THE PICTURE SALE.

m6E6l (O0ar to all men, ana necessary 6V0u to genius) causes. Many children grew up around him, whose merry round faces resembled those of the children whom their fathers pencil had so often represented in his pictures, but it was necessary to feed and clothe this charming family. Mme. Teniers. though an excellent woman in all other respects, always spent little more than her husband earned; and Teniers himself was not gifted with that spirit of order and economy which, though not making great artists, yet makes good homes. At the beginning of winter which threatened to be severe this cele- brated painter found himself more pressed than ever, and he began to be unable to supply the necessaries of life. It was need ful to take some step. Teniers collected all the pictures he had painted in the last few months and arranged them in his studio, taking care to place them in the most favorable light. Then he announced in the city of Antwerp that he was going to have general sale of all his works. A amined everything carefully, without hav- ing the least intention of buying anything. The picture dealers, who saw in the paint CTS poverty chance for making a good bargain, tried to lower the prices by the bitterest criticisms.
 "What!'' said one of them, is that all 1? Was it indeed worth while to make us come for such collection I will give you hundred pistoles for the collection" "I would not sell it for thousand" cried Teniers.
 You seem to think yourself genius of the first order, but there are hundreds of people like you in Belgium" "What shall we do?" said another, in a still more ironical manner, "with all these grotesque pictures, which seem every one to be cast ill the same mold? In the first place they are no longer wanted ill France, since the king treated you so scornfully ]; and, as you are aware, there is not a courier who hangs up Teniers even in his ante-room."
 | "That is possible" satd the painter, try ing to hide his vexation, ''but Germany, England and our own country still remain for us''
 "Why," asked the dealer, "why do you cultivate such a style?"
 Because it is the only one in which l can succeed"
 "Well and good but why not put lit tie more dignity into your personages For example, in this Flemish festival be- fore us, look at that tipsy peasant who is trying to dance. Is it possible to have a more awkward, heavy appearance? It is too vulgar-too true to nature. One would think one really saw him, and that is not like picture
 ''I thought that truth and nature were what an artist ought to copy"
 "No, no; you must have the ideal in art"
 'I should be of your opinion if had to paint gods or heroes, or church picture I should then be poet, but here am an historian. I paint what see. Pray is the ideal in place in public house scene An !! credit me, gentlemen, if time does not efface my colors, and if posterity takes a little notice of me, it will say, He was natural and true ; and this praise will be we'll worth any other"
 "Posterity may say what it likes" sharp ly replied the dealer, ''but offer you once more hundred pistoles for the collection. '
 "I would rather burn them or sell them for nothing." Thus saying, Teniers dis. missed the company and declared that the sale should not take place. | Mime. Teniers was in despair. l "What is to be done ?" she said to he1 | husband; "what resource is left to us now You ought to have sold them for 8 hundred pistoles."
 "No," answered he; it is madness for g painter to sell his pictures in his lifetime. '
 "Well, what is your plan ?'
 "To let myself die.
 "Oh! what are you saying ?"
 "Or, at least, to pass myself for dead"
 "But how will you make it be believed that you are dead, when you are not even i'll 9"
 "Do not be uneasy; you will only have to put on mourning, and make our chil. dren wear the same.'
 The painter secretly left Antwerp, and soon ctused the report of his death to be spread by some friends. His wife put on widows weeds !; the little children allowed themselves to be dressed in black, without understanding about it, and the sale of the deceased Teniors' pictures was pompously announced. The public came this time in even greater numbers than 10 the first sale. Nothing was heard on all sides but ex- pressions If admiration and regret. The picture dealers themselves had become sensible.
 "Ah ]" cried one of them, perhaps he who Def. re had criticised the collection in order to have it for hundred pistoles. ''how natural what variety in all these groupes Look at these women, these chil- lren, these old men how lifelike all of it is You can see them laughing, drinking, dancing, and really you would almost be. lieve you heard them singing. An, what talent r
 "Such pictures will no longer be paint ed" said another. 'sTepiers has carried the secret to his grave." And they all dis puted among themselves for the eightsor ten pictures which remained
 "Even if we were to give as much as would cover them with gold, we are sure not to lose on them. In England, Ger many. and even in France, we shall sell them for what we like."
 Pictures only just begun, mere sketches even. bearing the signs of the masters hand. rose to very high price. It..was a matter of dispute who should emrty his
 Little foxes of expense lamp chimneys-they cost a