New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-13
AN ARTISTS LETTERS
RIVERSIDE LETTERS. BY George u Leslie. II.
= With llustra ions by the Author. Svo pp.


ure's ways in garden and field. In this new
volume he continues in the same attractive vein
MS comments on the habits and customs of plant.
bird and man, with many amusing anecdotes ard
pleasant interludes of reminiscence. The at
mosphere of the book is of health in mind
and heart, of out-of-door joyousncss and sim
picity. The author in his observations OF
flowers and animals looks through eyes OF af-
lection, as well as through the spectacles Of the
artist Plants and creatures alike his friends,
to hc cared for, considered and visited after the
fashion of humankind for the sake OF agreeable
companionship His garden and his little green
house beside the Thames are his own beloved
possessions. to be invaded IS little possible
by rough handed mnions." Like all true
adorers of flowers he cares most for the natural
olossom which in too many cases has been tort
ured into something Enthusiastically unlike itself
by the nurseryman Even roses he thinks. have
been little spoiled by cultvators, the dog
rose, the sweetbriar or the damask being still
far ahead in pure loneliness OF the whole herd
Of modcrn-bred roses" 1t is well sometimes to
make plea for the natural flower No one who
in the sunny days OF spring has seen the (now
rare) single white peony blooming beside the
Haunting double one but must have turned from
the last to revel in the beauty of the hrst-for
beautiful beyond rivalry it is. with its great
snowy cup and its golden heart. But in world
wherein one flower actually succeeds another as
loveliness of a blossom which is no longer in
vogue. Such praise Will appeal only to the few
people who, like Mr.. Leslie. find true CANA
raderie in a garden. His structures on the con-
ventonal arrangement Of cut flowers for dec
orativc purposes are more applicable to the re-
gion OF London than Of NcwYork; but il is worth
while to quote this dictun OF one who is u Royal
Academician well gardener: "A few set
Off and telling their best worth hundreds
squandered by vulgar opulencc."
There odd bits OF open-air lore scattered
through these letters which will be new TO most
III ban readers Not many, for example. are cog
infant Of a simple fact which Landseer once point
ed to I.cse-that all birds, when perched
on trees or bushes. serve as weather-cocks. as
they invariably arrange themselves head to wind.
Sir Edwin remarked that he found this fact most
useful in Devastating, as he could always de-
terminc which way the wind blowing on y
distant hill "a most important knowledge in
dcer-stalknS) 10y observing the birds with his
fiedglass. Leslie notes that a plant in his gar
den, a certain ancuba laurel is to him equally
useful as a thermometer. II is very sensitive 10
cold. and has he declares. its regular degrees OF
misery marked its foliage during the cold
weather in the most unmistakablc manner. ~
have become quite expert at reading this
thermometer" adds our author, and, for my
purposes scarcely need another. first open the
back door, lock at the state of the foliage before
going bed, and from IL know quite we'll
whether to put lamps my water pipes or not
Leslie knew LanGsccr all his life, seeing him
continually at period; and he recalls some
Interesting details concerning that painter OK
lovab.e dogs and horses.
He suffered much from depression Of mind
and when pressed in his wo:k would send round
for me to come and help him in some small way
with his pictures. | used to paint accessories
for him. such as the checks on tartan shawl. or
other objects of still life. I.andsecr al
ways went over my work afterward with big
brush to prevent its looking ZOO neat and finished
He generally persuaded me to stay and lunch
with him, after which he would sometimes go
with me, take a hanson and drive all round
Hampstead or Highgate, to cheer and frcshen
himself up. He could not bear, at these times
of depression. to be left alone, and frequently
stayed and dined with him. after which we
played at billiards or went to the theatre.
Landseer had old servant. his butler. valet
and faithful slave named William who knew
and understood his masters ways and habits
perfectly. Though Sir Edwin would bully this
at times. when he was put out. he thor
oughly appreciated his usefulness and could not
have got at all without him. William was par
tculary assiduous in guarding the outer portal;
could by any possibility gain direct access
to Sir Edwin, not even though appointment
had been made. The answer would invariably
be- Sir Hedwin is not at home" His ROYAL
Highness. the Prince Consolt himself once re-
ceived this answer when he called. ampfed on
that occasion by the assurance that ''he had gone
to a wedding" entire fiction Williams
part the Prince found out, for on walking
N and round he he -.