Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-06-03

mants that for weeks Mt a time they
vsa1d never see him much less observe
Mn at work. Copying pictures owned
~ Vie great man, generally old mas
terra was Gle sole means the pupils EN-
ployed to make progress.
THE SOCIAL. SIDE.
In 1853 the Royal academy was
founded and Reynolds naturally was
the unanimous choice for the honor of
the presidency; the next year the king
1t was George II. now, who succeed
ed 10 the throne-made the famous
painter knight. and Reynolds added
the Sir to his name. 1t has been said
that at o'clock each day Sir Joehua
gave himself up to his social engages
ments. and mingled with the great
world or with chosen few of his intf-
mates. rms coterie numbered such
men as DR.. johnson, Goldsmith, Sher-
idan. Burke. Fox, Boswell and a host
Oh others, bishops and church dignita-
ries, and of courEe many noblemen. act
ors ana town swells. There had been
formed several convivial associations
wnere tnere were pleasures Of a ma
terlal and an intellectual nature. II
was an epoch of hard drinking and a
man who could not put away his two
bottles was thought little ut to assoc
ciate with gentlemen. The famous Lit
erary club was formed in 1864, and the
There was Il Thursday Evening club.
which met at the Star and Garter. the
Savior-faire, the Beefstead, the Dilet-
tamil society and still others where
there was always a feast OF reason and
Il How OF soul. AT many OF these meet
ings the ponderous DIR. johnson would
give forth. whereupon everybody sat
and listened. Occasionally some fear.
less wight would interrupt the great
man. and then would he pour forth q
torrent of invective, seemingly heavy
enough to our ears now and often
stupid and windy. But Sir Joshua held
his own at these gatherings. and with
his ever-present ear trumpet was an in
tereSting figure.
His personal appearance at this time
is thus described by 4 contemporary:
In his stature Sir Joshua Reynolds
was rather under the middle size. OF a
iior!d complexion. round.sh. blunt fea-
lures, and a lively aspect extremely
active, with manners uncommonly
| polished and agreeable. In conversa-
ton his manner was perfectly natural,
simple and unassuming. He most
heartily enjoyed his profession. in
winch he Was both famous and Illus
trious. and agree with Mr.. Malone,
who says he appeared to him to be the
happiest man he had ever known"
Although n mon eymaker and con-
stantly at his easel, he was not without
| He has been said to have been penur-
lous. but ii is not fair to charge him
Win TINS. He supported his sister and
naturally made provisions for old age
| To DIR. Johnson he was ever generous.
| ana ne always kept open house for his
friends. Much as he was pleased Mt
| the honors Of knighthood he seemed to
| value even more highly his election to
| The mayoralty of Plympton, in his ma
| i've Devon. and his receiving from the
| University of Oxford an honorary de-
| gree OF i. G. l.. paled before this pro-
vincal distinction.
Sir Joshua never married. although II
was rumored that he was in 10, (. with
the fair Angelica Kaufman, n Swiss
painter who came to England and had
IL great social as we'll as artistic sue
! cess. some of which was due to Rev
holds. But If he missed the joys OF
| matrimony he was not without plenty
with which to occupy himself, for he
was so in love with his art and so faith
| iul To 1t that he would probably have
| been but an indifferent benedict at best
| He was. however, fond of the world
| Night after night he went to the houses
| of the fashionables, to the society Of
| his comrades in the clubs, and he was
| always the center of group of adj
mirers. for he was n brilliant tall<er
| and. what is almost better. n salts
| factory listener. There were dinners MT
| wits and gifted men and women; there
| We're theatre parties, with admission to
| ne dressing rooms and greenrooms for
the distinguished president of the Royal
academy and his friends, and there
were gaming parties for play was at
It's height in those days and everybody
INDUCED. or the more harmless whist,
at which Sir Joshua took Il hand. There
were the ceremonies or the opening of
me Royal academy each year. when
the president accompanied the king on
the occasion of his visit. and there were
the famous discourSes that Sir Joshua
delivered before tile students at the
Royal academy. All these happenings
completely filled the life of the painter
ana doubtless made the 1i,ne-paas
quickly enough to Danish any thoughts
of matrimony Artificial as were the
times. however and though in pose or
dress the great painter made conces-
sions in his pictures to the manners OF
his day. 1t was never at the expense Of
his art, for he gave to all he did the
best that was in him. and he worked
with great seriousness. and honestly
endeavored to truthfuly render his
sittcrs.
Sir Joshua died at the age Of II, on
February %. 1892, and was buried in ST.
PauIs cathedral, beside the greatest Of
English architects. Christopher Wren.
Among his pall-bearers were three
dukes, an earl and several lords. The
greatest Of the land attended the OBJ
scduies. He left fortune of G100,000
an immense sum for those days Burke
said of him: Everything turned out
fortunately for him; from the moment
| of his birth TO the hour Of his DEATH"
Such. indeed. was the fact. No man
ever lived more normal, healthier or
more consistent life. From the begin
ming he was true to all his Ideals
| honest TO himself modest, cheerful, in
x MI n M