New-York tribune., 1909-07-11

Just about the time that John Everett Millafs ,
entering the Royal Academy little boy about
two years older than he entering business.
The older boy would much rather have gone to the
Academy but his father would not hear Of his
trying become artist This not because
he did not care for art. for he drew himself. and
It was from him that his inherited his artistic
taste but he knew that IT was bad business. and
he had not money enough to support his son II he
failed to make a living. In this he was quite
right, as the afterward said Art Is still a
bad business, but 1t much worse in England
then than 1t is People did not even have very
much respect for who painted pictures and a
noted artist had just about that time been driven
by poverty to commit suicide. Under the circum-
stances it is no wonder that a sensible father did
not want his son TO become artist.
But the son could not be expected to be so sen
sibIe. and precious did his art seem to him that
when he found that his father was planning to put
him in a firm where he would be kept busy from
dawn 10 dark and have time left for drawing he
took matters into his hands. If he must so
into business, he determined that he would at
least save a little of his time for the things he
cared for. So. having heard of place which
seemed more satisfactory than the ono his father
had selected for him, he went OF alone to see II
he could get it. lie was only twelve and half
and so small that his future employer. Mr.. James,
called him Willie Winkie. his first name being
william and was inclined to take the whole mat
ter as a joke But the little fellow was so earnest
that Mr. James consented to try him. and the
father. after having talk with Mr.. James. con-
sented TO the arrangement also.
Mr. James turned out 10 be just the employer
that Willie Winkle wanted. In fact, he was an
artist himself and kept brushes and colors in a
cupboard his Office. All these things were IN
the end made to Willie Winkie. and when IN
the course Of a year two Ar. James went out OF
business he visited WllIies father and pleaded the
little boys cause we'll that for few weeks the
father wavcred. Then his old fears revived. and
ne determined put his son into business house
AZ once Again the boy took matters into his own
bands and found another employer who did not
regard drawing as a crime and permitted him 20
pursue art in a back room in moments OF leisure
one day he painted picture OF an OLD apple
| woman named Hannah and every one In the once
admired Il so much that the news OF It reached the
Young painters father and he. greatly disturbed.
went 10 the employer and said that his son had not
( enough TO do. and II more could not be found 20
occupy him he must set him another berth he
also talked his very seriously about the diin-
cultos of the artistic profession and went over the
| story OF Haydon the poor artist who had killed
| himself But Willie WinkIe. who was now sixteen
| and half and old enough to be called by his
| proper name. which was William Holman Hunt,
! vas not 10 hc moved. He admitted the danger and
| tho didcr,lty but an artist he determined 70
| be III YOU kept me AT business until were
| twenty-one" he said 10 HIS father Il should then
become an artist. with but poor chance OF accom-
| rlisbing ANYTHING know the profession is
| self to IT, I have promises Of work 70 start With'
| and what 7 gain from this Will be enough 70 heip
| me with my Etudentship
| Seeing that the case was hopeless. MT. Hunt no"
| allowed his son 10 do as he wished but FOR lohs
| tn,e he saw no reason TO change his opinion
about the rashness OF his course The hrst dsc"ur
| sRement was failure secure admission 10 tht
| ROYAL Academy. This happened not once ou'
| ,u,icc and quite convinced Mr. Hunt that his son
was only courting disaster by his pursuit OF art
| He tried 10 persuade him 20 return 10 business
but the young artist. not without many mlssVihss
| cf his own begged for six months more
| And now came a wonderful bit OF encouragement
| one day as he was drawing at the British Museum
a beautiful boy OF fifteen in black velvet tunic and
| white tiIrned-d down collar came and stood oy MS
| side The discouraged student knew him wen
| He was John Everett Mllais. the wonderful ana
| highly favored boy who had been carrying OF an
| the honors at the Academy during the years or MS
own servitude in business. Millais said nothing
| hut examined the drawing closely and went away
| Later IN the day the two boys met IN another
room.
| ..I say" said Millais. "are you not the fellow
doing that good drawing in No. IL room lou
| ought 10 be at the Academy"
THAT Is exactly my opinion" Hunt answered
..put unfortunately the council have twice decided
otherwise"
you Just send the drawing you are doing now
and worm be I'm like a shot advised MiHais
They had some more conversation and Hunt
went away with a lighter heart than he had had