Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-14

margins Of the plates fancful sketches OF
the queer people that he had met IN his
travels. These, IL they had been preserved.
would have given to art collectors rare ex-
amples of Whistlerian art at an early Pc
riod. Unfortunately they were always re-
moved by the other engravere, and the mar:
gins of the plates restored to their original
condition. The only authenticated specimen
of whistler's work while in the survey is
picture of Anacapa Island In Santa Bar
bara channel. 1t is a desolate shore with
precipitous bluffs. and forms a part of the
map of that section. Whistler In making
this engraving has also pictured the fight
OF small flock of birds who seem to be
leaving the dreary spot This map with the
engraving Of the island is now preserved
among the specimens q Whistler's etchings
in the art department of the Library of
Congress.
The period of Whistler's employment at
the United States coast survey ended In
about three months. and, If he formally re-
signed. the fact does not appear in the rec
ords of that bureau. AS at West Point. his
failure to recognize rules and regulations
placed him among the class of updesirables.
and while at the survey he did not belong
to the ranks of the inefficient for his ability
was unquestioned. His lack of appreciation
OF the fact that such work must be con-
Quoted on business principles contributed to
the severance of his connection with the
government service.
Appearance of the Man.
His comrade. Lindenkohl remained In
the employ of the survey until his death,
which occurred in the summer of 1904. In
q personal interview the writer was given
many interesting incidents connected with
his experience with Whistler. who is de-
Scribed, in 1854. as a man of unusually at
tractive personality and possessed of more
than an ordinary amount of masculine
beauty. At this early age there was much
OF the artist and bohemian shown in his
dress and manner of living. His blue black
hair was worn long and gave one the i'm
preston that each separate hair had been
curled. Fancy waistcoats were his delight.
ard his dark sack coat was left open so that
the effect of the waistcoat could not be COW
cred. His favorite hat was a soft crush hat
with a wide brim. His manners were engag-
ing and his temper was sunny and free from
much of the harShneSS of later years.
Whistler's Washington home is now in
the business section of the city, for the resi-
Dental section has moved to the northwest.
The old building at that time occupied by
the survey still remains on Capitol Hill and
is now known as the Varnum Hotel. At
the present home of the survey the routine
work of the craftsman and engraVer occu-
pies the attention of those who have the
ability for these pursuits and are willing 10
give the work of day for the compensa
ton given by the governments At West
Point as in the time of Whistler. the weed
ing process is still going on. and the ineffi
cient are dropped from the roster Of that
institution. The success Of Whistler as an
artist and as an individual is probably
greater than the success of any of those
with whom he was associated in those early
years. Genius. like miraculous events,
seems unexplainable by the ordinary meth
DDS of reasoning. If success is to be meas
ured by the impress made upon the time
and generation, the life Of Whistler became
great factor upon theNart Of his period
through his failure to succeed In the life
Of soldier or as an employe Of the govern
ment.