New-York tribune., 1896-10-04

been familiar to the readers of Punch" II would
perhaps be fair to give Du Maurier's own esti-
mate Of the fine flower OF his great predecessors
art.
John Leechs pretty woman" he declares, In
admirable paper on the illustration OF books
which was publishad I'd several years ago. was
just a daisy as the Americans say. She was
the love of my salad days; she wore a crinoline
and pork-pe hat ,or ALI ugly). and chenille
net for her hair and above each ankle was some
times displayed little frill which has long
ceased 10 be there. 1t was not a happy
period for female costume. But for all that,
what d darling she was" No doubt John
Leech's pretty woman a darling. but cle
was dethroned by Du Mauriers in almost the
twinkling OF an eye 1t is true that il took some
time to live down the costume to which Du Mau-
rier feelingly refers. He could not all at once
revolutionize the feminine side OF Mr.. Punchs
gallery. But he could alter the woman within
the garments; he could put new type Of beauty
in place OF that which Leech had enshrined In
the hideous costume Of his time. and this Du
Maurier accomplished as fast as he could. He
brought upon the scene his own immortal pref
~ woman" type so exquisftely companionabie
that it is doubtful II any one has really tired OF
her constant appearance upon the scene OF Mr.
Du Maurers journalistic activities. She has
long been loved. and partly. we believe. because
her inventor has loved her himself. Hear hm
describe the object Of his admiration:
In book Illustration think the pretty woman
q very important person. and although
IT is hardly for mo To speak of her, II seems
somewhat unfair 10 leave my pretty woman OUT
In the cold do hope the reader does not dis
like her-that is IL he knows her. | am so fond
~ her myself or rather. so fond OF what want
her to be- She is my piece de resistance, ana
have often heard her commended. and the praise
NJ her has sounded sweet In mine ears. and gone
straight to nv heart for she has become to me
~ n daughter She Is ra her tall. | admit, ana
q trine stiff but Englishwomen are tall ana stih
inst now and she is rather too serious; but tnat
IL only because find II so difficult. with mere
s,roke I'm black ink, to indicate the enchantins
little curved lines that go from the nose 10 'hs
mouth corners. causing the cheeks 10 MAKE
s,,,,e-ard without them the smile Is incom-
nIo,e merely n grin. So | have had 10 give UP
the smile when the author has not absolutely
irsis, od upon IT, And as for the height, nave
often begun by drawing the dear creature HUE
and found that by one sweep OF the pen 'addihS
a few inches to the bottom of her skirp na's
improved her so much that it has been imPos-
sible to resist the temptation-the thihs Is 81
easy and the result so satisfying ana i,''"''
ate | beg the readers forgiveness for inns OUT
burst of senile paternal egotism. ii shah ho'
occur again"
That last observation Of Du Maurier pears
upon a vein I'm his work which mas 'oid nea':rS -:
in his favor despite his own pro'es. as"iu. a;,' -,
dulgence in it, Three-fourths OF 'he "en
significance Of his work as an ar'is'' ILL.,
fourths OF the beauty Of his work as W
may he ascribed to the sunny p Ielnpe' az hi a
Ala.
career There is a Iightness. depth, huN'o
and pathos about his Writings; az ~ - 20
about his drawings which you feei mus, sPinls
from his nature alone. Leave out OF MS u S",'
catures the Du Maurier of II all ana you nav {
merely a lot Of comical types. Leave the M 1u
Maurier out OF the novels. ana tney wouu 'ys
half their effect The same n,sn. ns W sn" but II
pictures or books of any man OF genius, pIt 'T,i !.
annles with special force To the author OF irli'
by'' Peter Ibbetscn.' The Marian, ana an
endless line Of prodigiously funny drawinss.
He is true to nature. always You may hnd IN
English society the prototypes OF his sir rorsiaS
Midas. his Duchess OF Towers, his Postethwa are Nv
! and Mrs. Cimabue Brown He Is cose ~ ou'
server and most accomplished drausn. -,
With his clear artistic vision ana MS a"lil'' eu
| technique he has told the truth ABOUT the o. o.
jects of his satire But he has also tnroWn ~.
| them the mantle Of his own individuaht!' ne me
| has kept himself invariably between his pupnc
! and his personages. without disturbing the o"e
| or doing injustice to the other.
| When his novels are approached the sanie
| close connection between Du Maurier and his
II
| material is perceived. but there Is a difference
| between his art and his literature. The one Is
| based on life and has the fascination or tne
| artists personality added to it. The other -
| creat ted out OF his imagination. and throbs Win
J n fire that is partly Of human life and parity OF
| spiritual imaginative origin. 1t Is not neces-
| sarv to traverse IN detail here the books whiyn
| have brought him renewed fame at very neaty
4 the close of his career But II may he pr'en!
| pointed out that In hic novels as In MS draw
| ings Du Maurier has been perhaps the moS.
original man Of his time. No one else has strucN y.
/ so entirely new note. Moreover that note 10
80 personal 1t is 80 involved as We have sho",' =,
! i'm the mans very soul and experience. that ~
| is incredible that any one should ever follow ~
! his footsteps The idea Of Du Maurier schvv ~
! IL preposterous No one has ever successiuI,!
! initiated his style in caricature. no one mas a..
tempted to emulate him in the writing OF ncuo,,
He stands alone. as he has stood for more .ah tms
| thirty years as he promises to stand Tor m.t ~.
| longer period. 1t is hard to believe tnat ar .,r
! books at any rate. II not the pictures, VIII e'
lose their hold upon sensitive minds Ihe'e
a depth OF tenderness In the former; there Eli, 70
beauty as Of happy or sOrrowfu hours IN SUM- su,,,
! woodland places and hallowed scenes OF s,Iohs hs
| friendship ard enthusiastic work. whlcm "a -
| makes palmer to the Imagination, does NOR ~ ~
| make alive and appealing. than coulo =" "
| dawn in words OF mere approval.