The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-02-16
AMONG THE PAINTERS.

@fS OAh w.
Column Club, that once w~ell-known New
York association OF men Of parts who liked
to meet and dine together. and TO take
thought for longevity. They were serious
minded men, and according to Gen. James
Grant Wilson in his Memorial History of
Now York" Joined in that protest against
the purely social in club life, as represented
in the ~joviality of the parent OF New York
clubdom, the Union Club, which led William
Cullen Bryant, Daniel Huntington, the
portrait painter, and others who desired
1plain living and high thinking" to organize
the Century Club.
= At their meeting they had set upon the
table the emblem of their club, an archi-
tectural column surmounted by a CLASSIC
lamp. BY The terms of their original agree
ment this emblem was TO become the prop
erty of the last survivor OF their number.
II Is an elaborate work in silver.
Upon tho death Of William NJ, Eyarts
only MIR. Bigelow and Mr.. Goodwin were
left Of tho Column membership, and IN
view Of the circumstances OF the formation
of the Century Club, of which both Of them
are members, they agreed TO make the
Century their successor as heir to the Col
umn emblem, and they presented the silver
symbol to that club last year. Members
of tho Century Club thereupon determined
TO have the portraits OF Mr.. Goodwin and
Mr.. Bigolow painted, with the purpose oil
presenting them to the club.
Earnest portrait painters who are In the
habit Of exacting a full allowance OF their
patrons time feel comfortable nowadays
in the precedent Sargent furnishes them.
Sargent Is now requiring very long sittings.
One New York woman, returned from a
visit to London, brings word Of a friend
Of hers at the English capital. a woman,
upon whose portrait Sargent has been
working for four years, AID II isn't finished
vet. At least the painter won't let II go
yet, as be Is not finished with II.
Alden Weir saw in sargent's studio last
summer a canvas which the world will
doubtless hear OF soon. II Ia a group
painting Of the important character OF that
OF THE Three Sisters Of Mr.. George Wynd-
ham," in the Royal Academy Of 1900. which
the Prince OF Wales. now the King. at the
Academy banquet called THE Three
Graces.'
The newer canvas shows a striking ar
rangement. Sargent set for himself the
and one In white against a black screen, q
scheme which under his h~andiwork viii
probably evoke a lively Interest and elicit
much talk.
Mr.. Weir Ia the sine qua non OF one OF the
best OF stories Of the eccentric Whistler.
which has not before found Its way into
print. Weir was one day copying one OF
the old masters In the National Gallery,
when he became conscious of a man passing
70 and fro once or twice behind lin. The
mar paused. and looking over the painters
shoulder murmured: Not bad"
But Weir was engrossed in his work and
gave no heed to the passing comment.
After looking around a bit more the stranger
stopped again and repeated: Not bad; not
bad at all"
courtlv era ciousness Of his characteristic
manner, bowed acknowledgment, and re-
sumed his painting. The stranger, whom
he had not turned far enough around TO
look at, stood still and presently spoke
once more.
I'm Whistler-Tm Whistler he said.
Weir turned full around then, and there
stood the archmak er Of enemies ready TO
make a friend Mr.. Weir found a way OF
ma king himself, known without saying
He was ali afs bility and insisted that the
New Yorker dine with him at his club.
Tho day was by that time spent and paint
ing time had passed, but Weir had planned
10 lea We London at 10 p. VI. and had packed
his luggage prepa ratory to doing so before
going to the gallery. expecting TO dine
quickly end take his trim alone -
Whistler YVES insistent, however, n Weir
went TO his hotel. unpacked and clad him
self for dinner, Whistler agreeing TO call
no Whistler, and another hour went and
still no Whistler and no word from him.
Weir never gets angry. II IL sud, but ne
changed his clothes agnin and his MIND
about his eccentric compntriot at the same
time, and prcpa red for his journey and "a
late snack In lieu of a dinner. And ct that
moment Whistler was announced. he
was III elegance and apologies. The genial
Weir forge We much and started with his
host for the club. concluding that the 10
o'clock trt in would not carry him away
that night after all:
Al the door Of the club Whistler halted
abruptly, remarking that he was no more
a member Of that club and 80 couldn't
take his guest there.
but wen go TO my house. he sid.
rea ssurinCly, and make up Win a supper
of cold "a ND"
The dignifed Weir had become limp by
this time and possibly faint. lie went
along. As they passed In at Whistler's
door Whistler asked the astute butler II he
nae a bit Of cold lamb, and the butler said
he thought so. Whistler asked his guest
10 remain for a few moments In a small
~rcccption room, promising to return Tor him
directly. The minutes heightened, hunger
strengthened, and the host shamefuIly
kept away. Men and women IN eVeIl.ng
dress arrived and passed up stairs IRON
time to time. Weir was left alone. lie
began to suspect Whistler Of many things.
Al last the Apologize host reappearcd
AMI led Mr.. Weir into a company OF his
friends, whom he had invited TO a Luculllan
repast, and the New York guest has been
known to refer to the cvenilg since, not
withs,andiug the cxigenCies OF the moment.
Us a particularly Jolly one.
Al the close of Inc feast Whistler In
dulced In a Roman luxury. Rising, he
tossed an essence into the dishes contain
ing gold fish on the table; and the hsh,
poisoned, rose TO the surface, and, squirting
The perfumcd water over the diners, turned
on their sides and died.
Among the buildings DESTROYED In the
Paterson fire was the former studio OF Julian
Rix, who for years lived aud worked Ia that
CITY. Mr. RiX has been spending his time
this winter In California.
The Salmagundi Club opened Its annual
exhibition Of work by member with the
customary smoker on Friday evening.
The exhibition viii continue through this
week and may be seen by friends OF MEM
bcrs by card.
Medals awarded at the Paris Exposition
are arriving here. n they present some
nj d.