New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-13

Sir Edwin said that he never troubled about his
luggage in travelling William did the Worrying
ard ct all big stations and functions made the
lives OF the guards a burden with his questions:
How about them luggage?' We'll. what's IL
like? says the guard. WHY. it's as black as
hnk with hell on it,. says the anxious valet.
"illiarns street-door formula had little effect
on Leslie who was always welcome guest:
had seldom long to ait before Landseer him
SELF would appear in an old homcspun shooting
Jacket; calico sleeves were tied on his arms like
those that butchers wear. He wore generally an
oio straw hat. the brim of which lined with
green, had his palette and brushes in his hand
anu looked extremely picturesque. reminding me
strongly of some of the figures in Rembrandts
etchings He did not at once speak but would
gaze at me with queer scrutinzing look. full
OF expression for a moment or two his lips be-
ginning to CULVER and move little before the
Words came He was always extremely kind
ana courteous in his manner | was often struck
~ 'ne great difference and politeness which he
invariably showed to any woman. whether a
Iadv or not; in short. his manners were those OF
d "eli-Dr English gentleman. OF his brilliancc
IN society in general have need to tell. but
II may be interesting to know that he
equally polished and amusing a his own table.
though at II besides himself only his sister.
one OF his brothers. or Scme humble individual
Landseer was painfully anxious about show
ing ms work to any one; sometimes he would
only allow you see il as reflected in the large
glass 1t was dangerous to make any remark.
even though it might be in praise as | once
found to my great regret / had EXPRESSED
my admiration for beautifully painted group
or dead ptarmigan hares. etc. in a picture of
ms which also contained many peoples por-
raitS' the next morning l was extremely
tohlshed and mortified at finding the whole
group rubbed out. some rocks and heather being
substituted in its place. l asked him why ne
had done this, as the group had appeared to mo
SO cXausitely painted: he replied: Yes, that's
Just IT, am not going to have the fellows say
than flesh"
rting at once artist and observer OF
Nature Leslie sets down some notes worth re-
memberng about the trees in the pictures of
iltian and OF Gainsborough. He mentions the
graceful wych elm as the tree which the English
artist so frequently introduced. with a nmsy.
conventional sort OF execution" into his back
grounds. Until had been to Sudbury his birth
place, adds Leslie Il never gave GainsborouSh
credit FOR much attempt at truth To nature in
the treatment of his foliage. But in the bcauti-
fully wooded and undulating parks and mead
oWs which abound in that vicinity, the prevail
nS tree is the Wych elm and | was reminded Of
his lovely landscapes and backgrounds on every
side. IL a man has any soul at all. the trees h
knew hes, as boy remain his favor.tcs to the
end OF his life" AS for Ti,ian's favoritc tree
the one oltehest seen in the BACKGROUND Of his
pictures is the sweet chestnut. Leslie says:
These trees. am told. flourish abundantly in
the vicinity of his birthplace. and thus as IN
GainsborouSh's case, the tree familiar to Titan
as boy became the favorite one throughout his
Ions life. He is especially fond of representing
inns tree in its picturesque old age as a gnarled
stump, from which shoots out lusty young
growth OF branch and foliage; habit Of re
Juvenescence which is one OF the great charms of
the sweet chestnut. Titan loved the tree as
well Tor its grand and laurel-ke foliage. its
massive yet graceful form the lustre and rich
ness II the color II its leaves and the swing and
curve of its branches. The foliage OF this
tree VIII not stand any scamping or sketching
treatment; II demands great mastery Of draw
ing and vigorous coloring. the effect of its
grandeur is lost. one seldom sees il represented
IN the works Of the modern inpressonist school
OF landscape painters. who prefer trees such as
the willow or poplar that bc fairly we'll su.,-
gested 10y smudgcs OF tone with dabs of light be-
hiHl llcnI.'