Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-22

acceptable to a self-engroSSed and somewhat
artificial period, both were seeking, over ON
this side, subjects among those made famous
by the immediate effects OF successful revolu-
ton in the New World. Washington, Jefferson,
Hamilton, Adams, their FIRST objectives no
doubt. Each knew nothing of the project OF
the other. For Gilbert Stuart was then the
fashionable portrait painter Of London. Born
in Rhode Island, bred to career in European
art centers, rpened in the of London
patronage Stuart was far cry away from
Sharples. Clearly artist, James Sharples
lacked the ingratiating gift of flattery that
wins in high places. Sharples gambler
with fortune, a playfellow with chance.
Let us leave the successful Stuart to go along
with this author in her quest of the SharpleS
tribe-James and his wife and three children.
point to remember, since, in the long run,
it Is the whole gifted family that stands behind
the astonishingly rich Sharples output. Mrs.
McCook Knox makes most engaging business
Of this adventure. 1t suggests something Of
the show troupe travelling from place to place.
A point reached, kits are unslung, rude easelS
set up, and the entire clan falls to transferring
faces to paper faces so lifelike as TO stir ex-
cited interest. No quite so casual as this these
performances, since James Sharples had had
enough of foresight to fortify himself with
letters for better foothold than that of the
street corner. 1t was by these swift and Strik-
ing portraits, however, that the art of the fam
fly became established. And, finally, the OBJ
jective was gained. Portraits of Washington,
40 or so of them, and portraits of other celebri-
ties of the day testify to the skill of the
SharpleS family.
The odd turns Of individual interest become,
now and then, sources of interest and delight
to many. Here is a case in point. It is not
clear how Mrs. McCook Knox found James
Sharples worth time and pains. No matter.
Luckily for the rest, however, she did find
him just that. And the pursuit was on.
No better place than this to say that here
Is clearly distinguished pattern OF true re-
search. Work and more work, indefatigable
and patient; pertaining facts, full and au-
thenticated, the sole acceptance. Then, the
full body Of tested material in hand, there
is the heavy task of creating order within it,
Of StreSSing here and easing up there, of ami
mating words with motion and color and
conference, of rounding the whole to estab-
lshed and convincing actually. Homage goes
to the author for exactly this quality of sim
cere scholarship applied to incident in the
art record of a century and half ago.
diary comes to light under the per-
sistence of the author. The bulk of portraits
painted by the Sharples family Is subjected
to rigid scrutiny. And from these two sources
Of information Mrs. McCook Knox re-creates,
not only the strange family itself, but re-
embodies well, significant facts Of that
past as these picture both American and Eng
lish life. James Sharples stands IN rather
severe disclosure. For under a rigid test, 1t
turns out that Of the many portraits of Wash
ington claimed by this competent painter only
. couple or 80, were really the work Of his
own hand. The wife, the children, were
skilled and competent, too. Theirs the bulk
Of the labor. Nothing new about such an
attitude, Is there? Certainly nothing to damn
q man with, else Here, in the altogether,
Is q true chapter of special history. Here,
also, Is a charming story, projected, in part,
by an intimate study of character and per-
Sonality. Here, in picture, are all the WASH
ino ~ incl OiIita int
eSttng are pictures of the Sharples family be-
sideS-a fascinating group. The father him.
self painted by one of the sons, the mother,
James, jr- Felix and Bolinda-moSt alert and
intelligent folks. looking straight across at you.
AS q book, as housing for this finely compe-
tent production, there is nothing to give but
commentator for the fitness in every respect
with which it serves its good purpose. Gath
cred up, the whole becomes a unique feature
in celebration Of our most honored national
birthday.
MRS. FTSCHER's WAR BY Henrietta Leslie
Boston: Houghton Miflin Co.
A BOUT 1914 Husband and wife and son.
= fine family. Prosperous, happy in their
work, interested in music, art, reading, IN
friends and in life itself. The mother English.
The father German in blood, but English In
choice and long residence. The boy half-and-
half, or so at first it seemed.
here Is new war story. 1Ls approach Is
from a new side, the womans side. However,
that comes later. Early in the Spring Of 1914
Mr.. and Mrs. Fischer set out on the holiday
long promised to themselves. tramping trip
through Germany, look-in upon the town
where Carl, the husband, was born; brows-
ing about the old town and then off to the
mountains and woods again. You know what
happened, because just this thing happened to
thousands trying to crowd a way through TO
their homes when the storm broke over Europe.
In some mysterious way Carl Fischer became
separated from his wife, who succeeded IN
getting back to England.
Well, that Is the story story filled with