The Bryan daily eagle. (Bryan, Tex.) 1895-1898, 1897-08-12

fictnrA vat Tor the fnrn. While ME- |
sally Supplied the Figure.
About two years ago a handsome old
lady, Miss Blanche sully Of phIladei
phia, visited Washington. She was
the guest Of her sister. the late Mrs
John II. Wheeler. 2S Grant place. thai
city. In 1887 this lady was beautiful
GIRL and had an experience no Other
American girl ever enjoyed. Her faith.
er. Thomas Sully. Americas greatest
portrait painter. had been engaged b.
the Society Of 81. George and 81. An.
drew Of Philadelphia 10 palm the por.
trait OF the young queen OF England
Blanche sully. his daughter. accompa
MED her father on this interesting mis-.
sion. Both were quartered at Wind.
sor Castle. and Queen Victoria con.
scented 20 pose for the portrait until N,
face was finished After that the
royal robes were placed on the should.
ers OF Blanche Sully. and she stood foi
hours In the position a. indicated n
the steel engraving now In the posses,
sion Of Col. Sully Wheeler OF Wash,
lngton, the grandson OF Thomas sully
This steel engraving was the original
executed In London under the super
vision Of sully himself. and was owned
by that artist until he gave Il 20 hli
daughter. Mrs. Ellen sully Wheeler
for many years an honored resident o.
the nations capital. Mrs. Wheeler had
two sons. who now live there. Col. Sui.
" Wheeler and Maj. Woodbury. Wheel
sr. These gentlemen recall many in.
tidents connected with the painting O;
this portrait especially In connection
with the queens jubilee.
Mics Blanche suily was then .
charming girl. and the head Of her
painted by her father. gives evidenc,
Of rare beauty and refinement sh,
found the coronation robes OF IN,
young queen a burden. welghi0g fortl
pounds, and probably became yer,
Tired OF her gorgeous borrowed plum
age. but when the task was done ant
her fathers portrait was hung In IN,
Royal Academy. a similar portrait wal
ordered for buckingham Palace. ant
Queen Victoria gave Blanche Sully /,
splendid diamond slgnet ring and az
autograph letter thanking her for thl
trouble she had taken. Sully receive,
$4,000 for the portrait he painted fol
the Society Of 81. George and st. An
drew, and was munlhccntly paid foi
those he painted for his English pa
irons. After his return 10 this c0un
try no spent much time with hli
daughter Mrs. Ellen Sully Wheeler
and during one OF his Visits painted 6
charming group. which represents Mrs
Wheeler with her two babies. now stal
wart citizens Of the District
When the war began Sully wheelel
was In the United States navy and gal
lantly served his country throughou
that memorable struggle. The othe
Joined the Coniederates and fought a.
bravely for a Lost cause. They wen
again reunited after peace resumed he
propitious sway.
Gen. Alfred sully. the son Of the ar
list. was a brlgadler general In tn
Federal army and was frequently quar-
tered AZ Washington. lie was a grad
uate OF West Point and a participant
In the Indian wars. the Mexican wal
and distinguished himself In seyera
engagements In the late war. rislnl
from the rank Of captain to brigadler
general. Col. Sully Wheeler and MAJ
Woodbury. Wheeler own many splen
did specimens Of their distinguished
grandfather's art. There Il no hne
collection OF portraits In any one fam
ny connection In the District OF Co
lumbia The flesh tints In sully's por
traits retain to wonderful degre
! their original colorlng. A the year
. 60 by his fame increases. and he
J easily hrsi among the American M
= lists.