New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-26
PAINTED BY CRUIKSHANK..
ONE OF HIS FOUR WORKS IN OIL NOW
OWNED IN THIS CITY.

teenth and the early part OF the present century
consisted almost entirely OF extreme exaggera-
ton of distinguishing features and peculiarities
Among the most notable Of the carcature artists
OF this period Gillray. Woodward, Bun
bury Rowlandson the two Heaths the DoyIes
Gather and SOM Hablot X. Browne CPhiz).
Thackeray, the unfortunate Seymour (who COM
mitted suicide at early age), Hood, Leech
and Robert and George Cruikshank
The last named of these. George Cruikshank
was in many ways the most remarkable. His
Industry was mary ilous his works were legion
and his name a household word wherever art Is
admired. Born in 1892 he began at very early
age to draw for chidrens books, thus starting
MS phenomenal career as an illustrator OF books
and becoming Of the most pungent carl
caturists of his day. diligently pursuing his art
until his death in 1878 in his eighty-seventh
year. His most widely known illustrations arc
those he made for the works OF Dickens and
Answorth, Uncle Toms Cabin" for his Comic
Almanack." his Omnibus etc. to which may
be added the numerous brochures which his
pencil adorned All the popular writer's of his
time sought him out to make plates for their
books and a catalogue Of his illustrations makes
two quarto volumes
Thackeray himself an artist thus writes
about him: Look at one of Mr. Cruikshanks
works and we pronounce him an excellent hui
morist. Look at all. his reputation Is Increased
In a sort Of geometrcal progression. as whole
diamond is a hundred times more valuable than
the hundred splinters into which 1t might be
broken would be- A fine rough English dia-
mond is this about which we have been writing
Cruikshank had horror in his mature and de-
cnng days Of anything like intoxication. and
he became a rabid teetotaler and, in fact almost
a monomanac on temperance. He used his
pencil to express his repulsion for alcoholic
drinks and to further the cause Of temperance;
witness his Gin Trap" THE Gin Juegernaut,
and that wonderful series OF plates. THE Bot
tie" of which over million copies were sold.
and the tabloaus made into plays were present
ed in eight London theatres simultaneously. His
most pretentious work in the cause Of temper
ance was a huge painting representing the wor-
shin OF Bacchus, In which many hundreds OF
figures exuuisitely drawn, were represented en-
gagged In the alteration Of the drunken deity.
This picture was purchased FOR Il thousand
guineas by the London Aquarium Company.
George Cruikshank, strangely enough. painted
only four pictures in oil Mr.. Bouton. the we'll
known publisher and bookseller in West TWEEN
ty-eighth st, has had one OF the four fo: many
years In his possession. 1t is a small picture
called THE Chess Players" Mr.. Bouton was
probably better acquainted with George Cruk-
shank than any other man in this country
now living, and he tells this story OF his rela-
lions with Cruikshank:
Il knew Cruikshank both as n friend and "A
business acquaintance. our intimacy extending
over a long period OF years. 1t began when |
vas quite "a young fellow upon ny first visit
to England laughable incident impressed
the occasion Of my first call on the artist
firmly upon my mind. CruIkshank al that
time resided I'm house adjoining the
ner of Mornington Crescent. and when was
ushered into his little parlor | found him en-
tertaining the late John b. Cough. the cele-
bratcd temperance lecturer, who was evidently
regarded by the host as a guest OF considerable
importance. feeling apparently shared by Mr..
Cough himself After some minutes Of ami
mated conversation our ears were suddenly as |
sailed by the music Of brass band. We stood
translxed by this Eruption Of melody. but not
for long. for Cough. radiant with pleasure,
crossed over TO Crukshank. c.aspcd both his
hands and shook them effusiyely. saying This
IL a great mark Of consideration and most
unexpected honor
"'What do you mean Quercd Crukshank.
Cough pointed to the window. outside Of
which the brazen music being beloved
forth. Crukshank's face was a picture OF as
Constituent mixed with amusement and he
looked earnestly into Coughs face TO detect
any signs Of incipicnt insanity. Then, throw
Ing himself into the nearest chair. he gave vent
to long and continued laughtcr-sO loud indeed, |
that it almost drowned the music outside.
my dear fellow he got out at last. that
band is what call a 'groen-baiZc' band,
set Of peripatetic noise makers with which Lon
doncrs are afflicted They are not screnading
you, but are footing and banging for penny |