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Title: The Brothers Dalziel
       A Record of Fifty Years Work in Conjunction with many of
              the Most Distinguished Artists of the Period 1840-1890

Author: George  Dalziel
        Edward Dalziel

Release Date: April 17, 2015 [EBook #48721]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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[Pg i]

THE BROTHERS DALZIEL

A RECORD OF FIFTY YEARS' WORK

1840-1890

[Pg ii]
[Pg iii]

[Pg iv]

LONDON:
PRINTED BY DALZIEL AND CO., LTD.
CAMDEN PRESS, 110 HIGH STREET, CAMDEN TOWN.

[Pg v]

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER VI.
CHAPTER VII.
OUR PUPILS.
THE PRINTING OFFICE.
LIST OF FINE ART AND OTHER ILLUSTRATED BOOKS PRODUCED BY AND UNDER THE ENTIRE SUPERINTENDENCE OF THE BROTHERS DALZIEL.
FINE ART BOOKS PARTLY THE WORK OF THE BROTHERS DALZIEL.
INDEX.
TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES.

PREFACE.

Thomas Bewick, who revived the art of wood engraving in England, was apprenticed to Ralph Beilby, as a copperplate engraver, in 1767. About 1770 he began to engrave on wood. The work at first was rough, and chiefly for newspaper advertisements; but he soon saw the capabilities of the material, and he rapidly developed into the great master of his art. The excellence of his wood engraving may be said to have culminated in his "Book of British Birds," the first volume of which was published in 1797. For a century from that date the art of wood engraving has been the most popular as well as the best method for the reproduction of all classes of drawings, and during that hundred years much beautiful work has been done.

Bewick's pupils were all artists in the fullest meaning of the word—John Bewick (his brother), Robert Johnson, Luke Clenell, Charlton Nesbit, Isaac Nicholson, and William Harvey. What a grand start the first half of the century of wood engraving had with such great men!

In the second half—in which we claim to have had our share—were such brilliant contemporaries as John Jackson, John Thomson, the Williams',[Pg vi] J. W. Whymper, Orrin Smith, Mason Jackson, W. L. Thomas, W. J. Linton, J. D. Cooper, C. Roberts, Biscombe Gardner, Joseph Swain, and J. W. Palmer—all true artists, draughtsmen, and painters, as well as wood engravers.

Touching the old cry of defective reproduction, we say that at times there could not fail to be some amount of depreciation, but never such as justified the senseless and vulgar remarks made by certain critics, which can only be passed over in consideration of their total want of technical knowledge of the art, and of the conditions under which much of the work was produced. Coarse epithets have been used towards men who were devoting, with all possible earnestness, their skill to an art for the reproduction of work for popular issues. Wood engraving, being no exception to other arts, demands conditions necessary for the production of perfect work. First, the man who makes the drawing ought to know the capabilities of the material and should work accordingly; second, the engraver should have all the true instincts of an artist; and, third, he must have the full interval of time to perform his work with proper care.

A large amount of wood engraving being done on the rush, it was a common thing to "burn the midnight oil" and the engraver's eyes at the same time, and it is a marvel that so much beautiful artistic work was done under such conditions.

[Pg vii]

We have printed in this book many letters from distinguished artists expressing their satisfaction with our rendering of their drawings, with one object—to place beyond all doubt that if wood engravings were produced under the conditions named, the results would always prove satisfactory.

We have a letter before us from Sir Edward Burne-Jones, in which he says: "I was quite unprepared for such fidelity."

By the introduction of the various "processes" by which artists' drawings are nowadays made applicable for reproduction, the days of wood engraving are practically over, and we have to bow to the new light which we had long felt would come; and we need hardly say that, for the reproduction of good pen work, with the new process by line etching, the results are perfect.

Also, when we look at the reproductions of tint drawings by such men as William Small, De Haenen, the Pagets, Caton Woodville, W. L. and C. Wyllie, Edgar Bundy, Jacomb Hood, and many other artists of distinction, by the half-tone process, and when we think (beyond all this fine artistic work) of the vast mass of wonderful illustration given to the public, week by week, of every conceivable class of subject, direct from the camera, in which the draughtsman has no part at all, and this work is generally of singular beauty and truth—we feel that our occupation is gone. In saying[Pg viii] this we wish to add that we hail with satisfaction the marvellous results from these many ingenious adaptations of photography, and the consequent wide spread of the art of illustration, which has ever been our greatest delight.

In preparing the contents of this book it would have been impossible to give the many specimens of our work but for the kind and liberal spirit with which our requests were responded to by the various publishers who had entrusted us with their commissions from our very earliest days. Our best thanks are due, in the first instance, to Messrs. Adam & Charles Black, for the loan of two engravings for the "Abbotsford Edition of Scott's Novels," which were amongst our first important works; the Art Union of London, for a specimen of Kenny Meadows'; Messrs. Macmillan, for specimens from "The Ingoldsby Legends," "Tennyson's Poems," and "Alice in Wonderland"; Messrs. Bradbury & Agnew, for selections from Richard Doyle's work; Messrs. George Routledge & Sons, for specimens from "Gilbert's Shakespeare" and various "Fine Art Books"; Messrs. Herbert Virtue & Co., for several from Millais' "The Parables of Our Lord" and "Dalziel's Bible Gallery"; Messrs. Blackwood & Son, for "Lays of the Scottish Cavaliers," by Sir J. Noel Paton; Messrs. James Nisbet & Co., for "Lays of the Holy Land;" Messrs. Longman &[Pg ix] Co., for Tenniel's "Lalla Rookh"; Messrs. Smith, Elder & Co., for "Framley Parsonage" and the Cornhill Magazine; Mr. James Hogg, for "London Society"; Messrs. D. Appleton & Co., for "Poems by W. Cullen Bryant"; Mr. John Hogg, for "Poems by Robert Buchanan"; Messrs. Chapman & Hall, for many illustrations to the works of Charles Dickens; the Proprietors of the Graphic, for "The Sisters," by G. J. Pinwell; and to Messrs. Ward and Lock, for "Dalziel's Arabian Nights" and "Dalziel's Goldsmith."

Mr. Alexander Strahan has our warmest thanks for much help which he kindly gave us in procuring many valuable representative specimens of our work from his various publications.

And yet other thanks are due. Before publishing the letters to be found in the following pages, it was necessary to seek the permission of the writer of each, or the executors of those no longer with us. In every case the response has been so kind and so reminiscent, that the interest and pleasure derived from their receipt will remain till the end with

George and Edward Dalziel

Hampstead
1901

[Pg x]

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

[Pg xiv]
[Pg xv] Dedicated

IN KIND REMEMBRANCE

OF THE

MANY FRIENDS WHOSE WORKS ADORN THE PAGES

OF THIS BOOK.

[Pg xvi]
[Pg 1]

THE BROTHERS DALZIEL.

CHAPTER I.

We were members of a family of twelve children, and, with one exception, we were born at Wooler, Northumberland, the youngest having been born at Newcastle-on-Tyne. Our father spent a great part of his time in horticultural pursuits, and in middle life took up art as a profession. He also held a commission in the Northumberland Militia. His sons, eight in number, inherited strong artistic tastes, which they all carried out professionally, except the youngest, Davison, who applied himself very successfully to commerce. The eldest, William, whose art work was chiefly devoted to heraldic and occasional ornamental decoration for MSS. books, also painted a little in still-life subjects with remarkable fidelity; while the second son, Robert, devoted himself to art, and obtained a fair reputation as a portrait painter. He also studied landscape painting for some time under Thompson,[Pg 2] of Duddingston, and having practiced his art successfully both in Glasgow and Edinburgh, he came ultimately to London, where he died, having attained only his thirty-second year. The next brother, Alexander, was a youth of rare artistic promise, and, had he lived, must of necessity have made a great name for himself as a designer and draughtsman in black and white; but early in life, while living in London, he caught a chill, which terminated in consumption. He, having returned to his mothers house in Newcastle-on-Tyne, died before completing his twenty-third year.

The next brother, George, early in 1835,[1] being then nineteen, came to London as a pupil to the late Charles Gray, an engraver on wood, with whom he remained four years, and on the completion of his engagement, he commenced operations on his own account, though continuing on the most friendly terms with Gray. A few weeks later he was joined by his brother Edward, and from that day we two have, for a period of over fifty-five years, worked hand in hand together, as "The Brothers Dalziel."

[Pg 3]

Alexander Dalziel,

OUR FATHER.

BORN, MAY 22, 1781; DIED, JUNE 30, 1832.

From a Bust, Modelled by his Second Son, Robert Dalziel.

"Alexander Dalziel, born at Wooler, in the County of Northumberland, on the 22nd May, 1781; married at Lamberton, North Britain, on the 4th day of January, 1805, to Elizabeth Hills, born at Mornington, North Britain, on the 11th May, 1783."

—Extract from Family Bible.

[Pg 4]

In 1852 our brother John became associated with us. He was a skilful and highly accomplished engraver; but his health, unfortunately, gave way, and early in 1868 he was compelled to give up all artistic work and went to reside at Drig, a delightfully picturesque locality, surrounded on the one side by the Cumberland Lakes and hills, and on the other by the broad sea, hoping that the fine bracing air of the North would restore him to health, but unhappily the change came too late, and he died in the summer of 1869.

In 1860 our brother Thomas, who had been educated as a copperplate engraver, joined the "Brotherhood," and from that time devoted himself entirely to painting and drawing on wood, contributing much excellent work to the various books we produced. Among them may be mentioned "Dalziel's Arabian Nights," "Dalziel's Bible Gallery"—of which we will have much to say further on, and a beautiful edition of "The Pilgrim's Progress," as well as many very charming drawings for nearly all the Fine Art Books created by ourselves, or produced under our entire supervision.

[Pg 5]

Elizabeth Dalziel,

OUR MUCH-BELOVED MOTHER.

BORN, MAY 11, 1783; DIED, FEBRUARY 4, 1853.

From a Picture by her Second Son, Robert Dalziel. Painted about 1837.

She was one of the brightest, the best, and kindest of women—a true embodiment of all that is good and just.

[Pg 6]

In the early part of our career, that is to say during the Forties, we George and Edward, worked very much in association with Ebenezer Landells, one of the original projectors and proprietors of Punch, and from whom (the other original proprietors having resigned their shares in a then unprofitable speculation) Messrs. Bradbury and Evans, the printers, acquired a two-thirds share. Subsequently the entire property passed into their hands. We may here state that while in association with Landells, we engraved the picture, "Foreign Affairs," which was the first drawing contributed to Punch by John Leech.

Landells was a man to whom illustrated literature, journalism in particular, owes much. It is an old story, well known at the time, how he parted with his interest in Punch, and how he lost the proceeds in the Illuminated Magazine, which was edited by Douglas Jerrold. Among his thousand and one journalistic ventures, he was the first to project and produce the Lady's Newspaper, but in this, as in other things, he was before his time and failed. He it was who suggested to Herbert Ingram that an artist should be sent to follow the progress of Queen Victoria on her first journey to Scotland; Landells undertook the commission, and it was the success of, and great interest taken in these pictures that had much to do with making the Illustrated London News. The Queen was so much pleased, that she bought all Landells' original drawings. He worked very much with Herbert Ingram, and it was through him that we were engaged upon the second number of the Illustrated London News. It was for him that we engraved the prospectus block for Punch, also the covers for that journal drawn by[Pg 7] "Archie" Henning, William Harvey, and John Gilbert, as well as the "H. K. B." drawings every week for "Master Humphrey's Clock." In fact we were largely indebted to him for much sincere help at a time when such help was invaluable, and at his house we had the advantage of forming the friendship of Douglas Jerrold, the Brothers Mayhew, Mark Lemon, and others connected with the foundation of Punch.

George Dalziel.

BORN, DECEMBER 1, 1815.

From a Picture Painted by his Brother Robert.

Date about 1841 or '42.

[Pg 8]

Landells was a man brimful of ideas and full of energy. One hardly ever met him but that he had some new project which was "certain to be a fortune"—a fortune that never came to him.

His connection with the Illustrated London News continued until Herbert Ingram's departure for America, from which place he never returned, having been drowned on Lake Michigan. It is a curious fact that, when Ingram's body was brought home for interment, on the same day that his funeral took place at Boston the remains of Landells were interred at Highgate Cemetery. We were at the ceremonies. Edward attended the one, while George was present at the other.

An interesting anecdote is told of Thomas Bewick in reference to Ebenezer Landells. When it was proposed to place him as a pupil with that eminent wood engraver, the father of the lad said, "Well, Mr. Bewick, I hope you will make my son a clever fellow." "Mr. Landells," replied the veteran, "I'll do my best to teach him what I know, but if God Almighty hasn't put brains into your son's head, it's impossible for me to put them there!"

[Pg 9]

Edward Dalziel.

BORN, DECEMBER 5, 1817.

From a Picture Painted by his Brother Robert.

Date about 1841 Or '42.

[Pg 10]

This anecdote was told us by Landells himself, in illustration of a principle he was discussing, that unless a lad has a real, genuine love for the art he is studying, no teaching in the world will ever make him a skilful worker. His father not being able to arrange terms with Bewick, Landells did not remain long with him, but served his apprenticeship with Isaac Nicholson (an old pupil of Bewick's, who had opened an office on the opposite side of the way to his old master, in St. Nicholas' Churchyard, Newcastle-on-Tyne), with whom Charles Gray was also a pupil. And it was through those two young men coming to our Father to "learn to draw" that our brother Alexander became a pupil of Nicholson's, with whom he served a seven years' apprenticeship, and proved himself a very skilful draughtsman and engraver. Hence our somewhat close connection with the school of Thomas Bewick.

Landells was a man of slightly excitable temperament, and, as a rule, very demonstrative. One morning he called upon his old pupil, Edmund Evans, who was then commencing colour printing works in Racquet Court, saying "he was off to the Derby, and, as the morning looked rather doubtful, would he lend him an umbrella?" This Evans most willingly did, giving the best he had, almost a new one. Landells faithfully returned it the next morning, but the ferrule had disappeared, and the stick was battered down close to the silk. Landells had evidently been through some exciting scenes, and in expressing his high appreciation of the events Evans' umbrella had come sadly to grief.

[Pg 11]

When Landells got a little vexed or worried by anyone, which in his very much varied life he not unfrequently did, his invariable remark was, "Well, stop till I see him again and I'll give him a piece of my mind."

John Dalziel.

BORN, JANUARY 1, 1822; DIED, MAY 21, 1869.

From a Photograph.

During the time that "ructions" were on with his co-partners in Punch, he met Douglas Jerrold in Fleet Street and complained bitterly, winding up with, "There, I've just been to see them and have given[Pg 12] them a bit of my mind," "Ah," said Jerrold, "I'm afraid they would not gain much by that, Landells."

His eldest son, Robert Landells, also an artist of considerable ability in black and white work, acted for many years as Art War Correspondent to the Illustrated London News, and, in that capacity, went through a great part of the Franco-Prussian Campaign.

The years of our boyhood having been spent in Newcastle-on-Tyne, we have constantly been identified as being natives of the Tyneside, and so became much associated with several artists of ability who hailed from that part of the kingdom. Among the foremost of those we would mention William Harvey, the justly celebrated artist and book illustrator, who was himself a favourite pupil of Thomas Bewick, and during his apprenticeship designed and engraved several of the smaller tailpieces to the "Fables," "Natural History," and other works published by his famous master.

William Harvey was born at Newcastle-on-Tyne, July 13th, 1796, and died at Richmond, Surrey, January 18th, 1866. He was apprenticed to Thomas Bewick, 1810, and the high esteem in which he was held by his master is shown in the letter here quoted.

Thomas Dalziel.

BORN, MAY 9, 1823.

From a Photograph.

[Pg 14]

Two years later, 1817, when he had completed his apprenticeship, he went to London, where he studied drawing and painting under Benjamin Haydon, and anatomy with Sir Charles Bell, where he had, as fellow students, amongst others, Charles Lock Eastlake, the P.R.A., George Lance, the fruit painter, and Sir Edwin Landseer. He soon became a most distinguished draughtsman and illustrator of books, his fame rising rapidly. For many years he stood prominently in the front of all others. Amongst his earliest works were "Henderson's Book on Wines," for which he not only made the drawings but engraved them all himself. It is further interesting as being the first work that bore his name. His great ability both as draughtsman and engraver is shown in the reproduction of an elaborate work from Benjamin Haydon's picture of "Dentatus"—which even in these advanced days must be held as a remarkable example of wood engraving, being, strictly speaking, a marvellous imitation of a copperplate, done in the grand line manner. Haydon no doubt induced Harvey to undertake this work to satisfy his own vanity, for he was not a man "who cared for others."

About this time he gave up engraving altogether and devoted himself entirely to drawing on wood.

William Harvey was a great and highly-gifted artist, a true man, a friend and counsellor to us from the time of our earliest efforts to the day of his death. He was a fine conversationalist, brimful of anecdotes, chiefly concerning a notable group of artists, authors,[Pg 15] and men of law, many of whom had gone, and others who were then passing away. As an illustrator he held the town for many years, and in connection with Charles Knight did much to popularise black and white work; but even in his own time what changes took place! He said that in his early days if merely a frontispiece were wanted for a book, John Murray would invite him and John Thomson, the engraver, to dinner at Albemarle Street, that they might discuss the subject fully before beginning the work.

always yours truly
William Harvey

In his more important works Harvey always tried to push forward one or more young and[Pg 16] unknown engravers of promise—in fact he was the young man's friend.

Of course he had many imitators; coming men begin by imitating the manner of the successful men who have gone before. He used to say, "The young man jumps on the shoulders of the old man, looks over his head, and consequently sees much farther along the road." Strong examples of this are shown in the early works of Sir John Gilbert, which alternated in likeness to William Harvey, Kenny Meadows, and George Cruikshank; but in a later stage took on much from the great German artist, Menzel.

The following are a few instances in illustration of young men building up their style by studying the old professors in their art, which we call to mind as occurring in our own experience:

William Harvey felt complimented by John Gilbert gleaning from his works; while George Cruikshank was highly indignant with Gilbert for what he called "cribbing his brains," and threatened to go down to Blackheath and "thrash the fellow." Gilbert, on being told this, only laughed, and said, "I don't think he knows what sort of man I am."

J. Prior, the father of Melton Prior, assisted William Harvey very frequently; and after acquiring a fair style of imitation, did a good deal of work on his own account, which sometimes bore too strong a resemblance to the master. He would say to Harvey, "I know you don't mind." He was right; good-natured Harvey did not mind if Prior got any advantage by it. But, like other men, Prior[Pg 17] ultimately acquired a style of his own, and did much good service in the early days of the Illustrated London News, to which journal his son Melton has long been a valuable power as War Correspondent.

The early drawings of that great art genius, Fred Walker, A.R.A., R.W.S., have a strong family resemblance to those of Sir John Gilbert. J.W. North's early drawings reminded one vividly of Birket Foster, while Birket Foster's style was undoubtedly built upon Thomas Creswick, R.A.—and so on, and so on.

Our connection with Harvey was so close, not only as regards work, but socially, that we can say he was in every sense one of "Nature's best"; lovable to a degree,—and would far more than stand the test of the guiding-lines laid down by his master in the letter printed on page 12.

Among William Harvey's chief works mention must be made of the charmingly fanciful designs for Lane's "Arabian Nights," "Northcoat's Fables," "The Tower Menagerie," several of the books in "The Abbotsford Edition" of Sir Walter Scott's novels, and many smaller books, notably "The Children in the Wood," and "The Blind Beggar's Daughter of Bethnal Green"; also an extremely beautiful frontispiece, as well as other illustrations, to each of the plays in Charles Knight's Edition of Shakespeare's Works. Subsequently he illustrated for us an edition of "The Pilgrim's Progress," in which he displayed all his tasteful fancy in decorating its pages. This book was published by David Bogue. From 1839 to the time of his death, William Harvey entrusted[Pg 18] many of his drawings to our care, as well as in later years constantly working for the various books produced under our superintendence.

On the death of William Harvey, it was proposed that a monument should be erected over his grave in Richmond cemetery, and in seeking subscriptions for that purpose, among others, Samuel Lover, the famous Irish song-writer, composer and artist, was asked to assist and co-operate with a few friends in carrying out the object, when in reply he wrote:

Is not this just the letter we might expect from the warm-hearted Irishman and true poet who could write the following beautiful lines?

The monument was erected, as suggested, in the cemetery at Richmond, Surrey, as well as a[Pg 19] brass tablet in St. Nicholas' Cathedral, Newcastle-on-Tyne, both from designs by John R. Clayton.

Having furnished several illustrations to a book of Irish songs edited by Samuel Lover, and published by John Maxwell, husband of Miss Braddon, we received several kind letters of commendation and thanks for the care bestowed in getting up the work. Among others we may quote the following:

Again, in writing of a drawing to illustrate the "Four-leaved Shamrock," which we had submitted for his approval, he says:

[Pg 20]

Margaret Dalziel.

BORN, NOVEMBER 3, 1819; DIED, JULY 12, 1894.

From a Photograph.

She was the essence of kindness and generosity, a sister-mother to us all, and "Aunt Meg" to everybody.

During all our operations from the year 1851, we were fortunate enough to have the loyal and skilful help of our sister Margaret, who warmly entered into all our plans and worked very constantly upon the most highly finished engravings we produced. As much of the work we were engaged upon was intended for periodical publications, it may readily be supposed that there was, at times, great pressure to meet the requirements of the printer; on such occasions we could always be certain of her ever ready help, grudging neither time nor labour to render every assistance in her power. In all respects she was one of the most[Pg 21] devoted, kind-hearted and sympathetic women that ever lived, and her great excellence of character, we have every reason to believe, was fully appreciated by all those who had the privilege of her acquaintance or friendship.

The Earl of Leicester's Levee.

FROM THE ABBOTSFORD EDITION OF "KENNILWORTH."

By William Harvey.

By permission of Messrs. Adam & Charles Black.

CHAPTER II.

Very early in our career we were, through our friend William Harvey, introduced to Charles Knight, the eminent publisher who did so much as a pioneer in introducing cheap and good literature to the people, as his "Penny Magazine," "Penny Cyclopædia," "Charles Knight's History of England," and many other kindred works bear ample evidence. And not only in literature but in art as well he took a bold and leading part: see his elaborately illustrated edition of Shakespeare's Works, the Bible, "The Land we Live in," and many highly interesting and instructive books. Perhaps the most beautiful of all was the illustrated edition of Lane's "Arabian Nights' Entertainments," a book which must always hold a foremost place among the most tastefully decorated volumes this country has produced.

It was only in association with Landells and Charles Gray that we were at all connected with this work, not having, at that time, any personal transaction with Mr. Knight, though we subsequently did a great deal of work for him, notably in his "Shakespeare" and "The Land we Live in."

Mr. Ramsay, Mr. Knight's sub-editor and literary[Pg 23] manager, used to tell a curious story about one of the literary contributors to these volumes, whose name, for obvious reasons, we will withhold.

In this gentleman's early connection with Mr. Knight, he called and had a serious conversation with Ramsay, confessing his uncontrollable weakness for strong drink, and that his only safeguard was an empty pocket. He therefore begged of Ramsay never, under any circumstances, to advance him one penny upon his work, no matter how hard he might plead, or what story he might tell in urging the necessity for an advance of cash. Ramsay was to be firm and refuse to listen to him, and on no account to let him have money, and that all payment for work was to be forwarded to his wife. Ramsay promised faithful observance, and so matters went smoothly on for a considerable time. But one day M. N. came with a sad, doleful face, begging for an advance of ten pounds. Ramsay positively declined, reminding him of their compact.

"Yes, yes, that's all right, old fellow," he answered; "but this business is quite away from everything else. I don't forget the injunction I laid upon you, but this is altogether different; it is a case of the most urgent necessity." Then he went on and told a sad, touching tale of his boy having died suddenly, and the shock having brought on a serious illness with his wife, while, unfortunately, he was totally without funds to meet the unexpected demands upon his purse, or procure a nurse to attend upon her, as well as the comforts that were absolutely necessary under the circumstances.

[Pg 24]

For a time Ramsay stood firmly out, always reminding M. N. of his own proposition, but the man was so impressively urgent, appealing again and again on the score of his wife's critical condition, that at last Ramsay's scruples gave way, and M. N., lavish in his thanks, left the office with the ten pounds in his pocket.

It is, perhaps, needless to say that M. N. was not seen in Fleet Street for many days, and when he did turn up, shaky and dilapidated in appearance, it was only to load Ramsay with the most crushing abuse for having broken faith with him, and when Ramsay tried to shelter himself under the pathetic tale he had told about his sick wife and dead son, he only replied:

"D—— the sick wife and dead son! Why didn't you stick to your promise? I told you distinctly that it was possible I might come with some trumped-up story of urgent necessity, and a lot of such rubbish, and now see what a hole you have let me into. My son is perfectly well, and as healthy a lad as ever lived, and as for my wife, well, she was never better in her life, and is only suffering from the misery brought about by your unaccountably bad behaviour to me. I tell you, Ramsay, you are a traitor and a false friend, who has used me shamefully—shamefully!"

With these words M. N. left the office, but returned within half an hour seeking condonation, begging that Ramsay would overlook the foolish words he had used in a moment of unjustifiable irritation, and further show his good feeling by[Pg 25] advancing him a trifle—say, a sovereign? No? Well, then, let it be five shillings? Still no! Ramsay was obdurate, and M. N., muttering, "Cruel man! Cruel, cruel man!" went away.

Mackay, as the Bailie Nicol Jarvie.

FROM THE ABBOTSFORD EDITION' OF "ROB ROY."

From a Painting by Sir William Allan, R.A., F.R.S.A.

By permission of Messrs. Adam & Charles Black.

In the year 1842 or 1843, through the kindness of the late Clarkson Stanfield, R.A., we were introduced to Mr. William Dicks, who officiated as[Pg 26] art agent for Mr. Cadell, the Edinburgh publisher, then issuing a very elaborately illustrated edition of the Waverley Novels, which he named "The Abbotsford Edition," and employing on the work many of the very first artists of the day, both English and Scotch. We were entrusted to engrave a large number of the drawings. Among the first of these was a wonderfully life-like portrait of the Scotch actor, Mackay, in the character of "Bailie Nicol Jarvie," painted by Sir William Allan, R.A. and P.R.S.A.[2] The engraving of this portrait gave such entire satisfaction both to Mr. Cadell and Mr. Dicks that we were constantly employed upon the undertaking until its completion.

Among the artists whose drawings we had to engrave during the progress of this edition of the great "Wizard of the North's" novels, we may especially mention William Harvey, Clarkston Stanfield, R.A., Sir J. Noel Paton, P.R.S.A., John Franklin, Edward H. Corbould, Sir David Wilkie, R.A., Alexander Christie, and Robert McIan.

[Pg 27]

Children in the Wood. By John Franklin.

FROM CUNDALL'S SERIES OF CHILDREN'S BOOKS.

Through the friendship that sprung up with several of these gentlemen, and our connection with the Institute of the Fine Arts,[3] we became acquainted with many of the young artists who were introducing a new and more realistic feeling into the black and white work of the day. Among them were John Tenniel, at that time just returned from his studies in Germany, and strongly impressed with German Art, and what was termed "The Shaded Outline School"; Alfred Elmore, R.A.; Fred Pickersgill, R.A.; F. W. Topham; Edward Duncan; George Dodgson; John Absolon; all, except the Royal Academicians, members of the Old Water Colour[Pg 28] Society, and the New—now called the Royal Institute of Water Colour Painters—besides many others who have since risen to great eminence in their profession.

John Absolon being then engaged on a set of illustrations to Collins' Poetical Works, to be published by David Bogue, he placed many of the drawings in our hands to engrave, which was the commencement of a long and intimate friendship—not only with the artist, for it also opened up a connection with Bogue which enabled us to produce some very creditable works together.

Early in 1851 John Franklin, many of whose illustrations to "The Abbotsford Scott" and the "British Ballads" we had engraved, placed in our hands some drawings he was making to illustrate a series of Fairy Tales, edited by Sir Henry Cole, then known to the literary world as "Felix Summerly," to be published by Mr. Joseph Cundall of Bond Street, who was an enlightened publisher with strong artistic taste, his great idea being a desire to raise the character of children's picture books. This was about the time that Van Voorst published "The Vicar of Wakefield," with Mulready's illustrations; one of the first high-class books of the period, which was so highly thought of that Mulready said he had commissions offered to him for pictures from these designs sufficient to keep him at work for the remainder of his life. It was at this time that Cundall induced Mulready to make a set of drawings for a child's primer: and very beautiful they are.

This series of Fairy Tales was continued, with[Pg 29] pictures by Frederick Taylor, P.R.W.S., H. C. Horsley, R.A., and other artists of high repute.

Sleeping Child and Lamb. By William Mulready, R.A.

FROM A BOOK OF POEMS BY THE REV. T. J. JUDKIN.

Our connection with these two London publishing houses, added to the work we were doing for Mr. Cadell of Edinburgh, tended considerably to increase our responsibilities. And this may be the most convenient place to state that it was at Mr. Cundall's we were first introduced to Mr. George Routledge, who had called for the express purpose of asking Mr. Cundall to recommend a "good man" to engrave a small drawing on wood, a portrait of Sir Robert Peel, which he then had in his pocket.[Pg 30] The commission was entrusted to us, and thus commenced a connection and a friendship which continued with unabated confidence and harmony for a period extending over forty years.

George Routledge, a strong-minded, clear-headed man of business, in his early days used to go personally to the larger north country towns, and get orders from the booksellers. His capacity in this branch was said to be something marvellous. An old Quaker bookseller, of Darlington, told us that Routledge never said, "Will thee buy this book?" but that it always was with him, "Thee must take it"; and as his wares were always good, the results were said to be many times beyond those of any other man "on the road." In the publishing business, he, in combination with his partners, William and Frederick Warne—both clever, energetic men,—made a force which developed their vast business so rapidly that Henry G. Bohn, the big publisher of that day, felt so jealous of their great success, that he used to say, "Well, it has taken three strong men to do it." After having produced sets of pictures by various artists, to many sorts of books, the most important of which was a small octavo of Longfellow's Poems, with illustrations by John Gilbert, they invited our co-operation, assistance, and direction in such matters, and it was then determined to do another edition of the same poems, more extensively illustrated by the same artist. They agreed to give us one thousand pounds for the pictures, which was to include Gilbert's charges as well as our own. The book proved a great success from every point of[Pg 31] view, and to this day holds its own as one of the most beautiful examples of Sir John Gilbert's work as an illustrator. After the first edition many other poems were added, including "Miles Standish," all having Gilbert's illustrations to them.[4]

The book when first completed created a sensation. We remember asking Routledge what he thought of it. He was a pure business man. His reply was:

"We will wait and see what the trade has to say about it first—see whether they will subscribe[Pg 32] largely, and then I will tell you what I think about it."

Edmondson, the binder, was so in love with his part of the work that, holding the volume in his hands, he said, "It is a beautiful book! a very beautiful book!" then added, in a slightly condescending tone, "And a good book inside, too."

William Warne dying rather early in life, Frederick Warne, his younger brother, separated from the Routledges, after the sons of George entered[Pg 33] the firm, and built up a large publishing house of his own. We were on the very best of terms with all of them, and continued to work for both houses for many, many years.

Evangeline.

FROM THE POETICAL WORKS OF LONGFELLOW.

ILLUSTRATED BY SIR JOHN GILBERT, R.A., P.R.W.S.

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

[Pg 34]

Frederick Warne, a really clever, many-sided man, has now retired, but his three sons—all men worthy of their father—continue to conduct their large business on the old lines.

Of the many illustrated books which it has been our lot to superintend and issue to the world, there are two for which we are to a great extent exclusively responsible: these are "The Spirit of Praise," a collection of hymns, and "Golden Thoughts from Golden Fountains," a collection of such literary extracts from favourite authors as the title of the book will fully explain—one of us having spent much of his leisure hours in collecting and arranging their contents. The first of these volumes was originally published in the usual quarto form, with decorative borders and initial letters, printed in gold and colours, and subsequently much enlarged by the addition of many hymns as an octavo volume. The other, "Golden Thoughts," was in its main lines uniform with the first edition of "The Spirit of Praise." In both of these books are many of our own contributions, both in pen and pencil, in addition to several very fine examples of A. B. Houghton.

"The Abbotsford Edition" of the Waverley Novels did not prove a marked financial success, and when the property was acquired by Messrs. Adam and Charles Black, Edward H. Corbould, R.I., was commissioned to do a large number of illustrations for their new edition of these books, nearly all of which were entrusted to us to engrave.

In the early part of Queen Victoria's reign Corbould held a high position as a painter in[Pg 35] water colour, and was one of the original members of the "Royal Institute of Water Colour Painters"—then called the "New Water Colour Society"—and so highly was his artistic ability appreciated by the Prince Consort that he was selected as art tutor to the Royal children. Perhaps no better selection could at that time have been made; for, though somewhat severe in style, he was a good draughtsman, painstaking, and of a kindly, genial disposition. He was ever full of amusing anecdotes of the sayings and doings of the Queen, Prince Albert, and his pupils.

Corbould did not appear to think it possible for any of those young people to commit a fault. In his eyes they were all sweetness and the perfection of goodness, "being," as he said, "without the least appearance of affectation." When asked if any of the young Princes or Princesses were clever, he invariably evaded a direct answer by saying:

"Er—well, you see, the Princess Royal makes up for the shortcomings of all the others, she is so very clever. Er—er—they are all clever and very nice."

During Corbould's connection with the Royal Family, on one occasion he wrote to us saying the Prince of Wales had got a scrapbook, and he was commissioned by the Prince to say how pleased he would be if we would give him some proofs of our engravings to put into it. We sent a large parcel, and in return Corbould wrote that the Prince was delighted with our contribu[Pg 36]tion and wished him to express his "Warmest thanks to Messrs. Dalziel for their great kindness and liberality."

During the early part of our career we became associated with Mr. Samuel Carter Hall, who was originator, editor and at that time proprietor of the Art Journal, and in a somewhat desultory fashion did a considerable amount of work together. Among other matters, we engraved many of the illustrations for "A Book of British Ballads," which was edited by Hall and published by Messrs. How and Parsons of Fleet Street. The drawings by Sir J. Noel Paton, P.R.S.A., John Franklin, W. B. Scott, E. H. Corbould, Henry Warren, and other artists, passed through our hands. When the great International Exhibition of 1851 was in preparation, and during the time it was open to the public, Hall published a series of profusely illustrated supplements to the[Pg 37] Art Journal, showing the various classes of objects exhibited. On this work we were very liberally employed. These supplements were subsequently put together and published in one large, handsome quarto volume as an Illustrated Catalogue of that great and important Exhibition.

Many other catalogues, official and non-official, were published of the Exhibition, which contained a marvellous amount of every conceivable class of handicraft and ingenious device, but certainly, for comprehensive completeness, none of them at all approached the very beautiful volume which Mr. Hall gave to the world.

When we had finished our portion of the engravings, he was so grateful for the help we had given that he volunteered the promise that no other wood engravers should ever be employed upon his works. But perhaps it is only characteristic of the man to say that this promise was never carried out.

As already stated, we engraved a very large number of drawings for Mr. Hall with undeviating approval, and we were much gratified by the following passage in a letter addressed to him by E. M. Ward, the Royal Academician, on our submitting a proof of an engraving we had executed:

[Pg 38]

Almost as a matter of course we became associated with Kenny Meadows, a clever, erratic genius, and an artist of great ability. He had a wonderful and strangely fanciful imagination, and perhaps will be best known in time to come by his "Illustrated Shakespeare" and his "Heads of the People"; there is one other work which is not likely to be forgotten, "A Head of 'Old Father Christmas,'" which did good service for a Christmas number of the Illustrated London News. He was intimately connected with Orrin Smith, the distinguished wood engraver; their earliest work being character sketches and heads of the people done for Bell's Life in London, which was somewhat a pioneer in illustrated journalism. Meadows at that time was generally known as "Iron Jack," from the fact of his robust health, which he attributed entirely to a simple style of living in his early life, much of which was spent in a lighthouse, where, he declared, they never had enough to eat. He said, "I used to devour my food like a ravening wolf."

No amount of alcohol ever appeared to hurt him, and to those who suffered from excess of indulgence he attributed it entirely to over-eating in their early days, before the constitution was fairly and properly formed.

[Pg 39]

"Or sweetest Shakespeare, Fancy's child,
Warble his native wood-notes wild."

"L'Allegro" and "Il Penseroso."—Milton.

By Kenny Meadows.

By permission of the Council of the Art Union of London.

[Pg 40]

We were so closely connected with him that when he was first asked to work for Punch, he stipulated that we should have all his drawings to engrave. This arrangement did not last long, for he was of a very uncertain nature, and changeable in his moods. His friendship was not of the kind that would stand much, if any, strain, and after he had "imbibed" a little, he not infrequently became "nasty." Once at a public dinner, on the name of Punch being mentioned, he started from his chair, saying, "Gentlemen, I am Punch!" which really was more than insulting to several Punch men who were present.

At one of the early Illustrated News dinners, Herbert Ingram, speaking of the great success of the journal, said, "And, gentlemen, we all share in the credit of producing this wonderful paper." Meadows was immediately on his legs, saying, "Yes, but have we all shared and shared alike in the recompense?" "Yes, Mr. Meadows," said Ingram, "we have all shared alike, according to what we put into the venture."

While Meadows worked for the Illustrated London News we engraved many of his drawings and saw much of Herbert Ingram and his partners, Nathaniel Cook and William Little. Ingram was the founder and principal proprietor of the paper; a man of strong character, self-willed, but both generous and just. We were in the habit of suggesting and procuring subjects for them.

We had induced Richard Doyle to make twelve drawings of the months for the Illustrated London Almanack. Nathaniel Cook disputed our charge, but we stood out. Ingram sat quiet whilst the talk went on. At last he said, "Have Messrs. Dalziel done the work well?" "Oh! there is no dispute about that; the work is well done." "Then," said[Pg 41] Ingram, "pay the money and let there be no dispute about it."

That is a single, but a true, illustration of the sort of man Herbert Ingram was.

Meadows used to say that Nature put him out, and so it did. Looking at his raised hand with pointed finger, he would say, "I cannot see a hand as I would draw it."

The first time Meadows met John Leech after he began to draw on Punch, he raved about the drawings, said Leech was the greatest man who had ever drawn on wood, that he, Meadows, ought to retire from art altogether and seek some other occupation, that his light was out, and much more to the same purpose. But as the bottle went round, the feeling gradually changed, and it ended in Meadows praising his own work and telling Leech that he must alter his style altogether if he ever hoped to take a position as an artist—that his work was mere commonplace drivel, and that he must put imagination into his work "such as I do in mine, sir."

But judged by his time, Meadows was a very clever man with much quaint fancy. Many of his initials are singularly pretty, and his "Shakespeare" will always have a place in the history of black and white work.

In Kenny Meadows' days, the artist in black and white had not thought of the advantages of drawing from the living model; neither William Harvey nor Sir John Gilbert ever drew from Nature, and George Thomas was one of the first, if not[Pg 42] indeed the very first, to draw on wood direct from life. This was about the early part of the Crimean War, and his subjects were chiefly of sailors and their doings, and very clever they were. It created something of a sensation at the time, for the idea of an illustration being drawn from the life had not before been heard of except in special cases. No doubt Mulready had life models for his "Vicar of Wakefield" drawings, and later on Millais never drew without the life, nor did any of the pre-Raphaelite School, but this was the gradual and natural development of a new method, and innumerable drawings by the younger artists which passed through our hands were all drawn direct on wood from the life.

After spending much time and labour in experimenting, as well as spoiling a great many blocks, we succeeded in getting fairly good photographs for the engraver's purpose on other pieces of wood, and so the valuable original drawings were preserved. This success was obtained about the beginning, though not at the very beginning, of our operation on the Bible illustrations. Then followed, as a matter of course, the constant practice of making drawings upon paper which were photographed on wood. By this means nearly all the exquisite drawings in black and white made by Leighton, Poynter, Houghton, and many other of the artists who worked in association with us have been preserved, and now adorn some of the public permanent galleries.

[Pg 43]

A Ball-Room. By Frederick Walker, A.R.A., R.W.S.

FROM "LONDON SOCIETY."

By permission of Mr. James Hogg.

[Pg 44]

Among the early drawings by John Leech that passed through our hands were those he made for Thackeray's "Irish Sketch Book," which were probably copied from Thackeray's own pencil work, for he was not above having help on his drawings, the result not always being such as he expected. One day he said to Joseph Swain, "Why don't you engrave my drawings to come out like John Gilbert's—his work always looks so strong and mine so weak and scratchy?" Swain tried other helping hands, but seldom with satisfactory results. It was in this way that Fred Walker's connection with Thackeray began, Swain having induced him to work on the author's drawings, which he did on one or two, but very soon declined to go on with them. Walker asked that he might make original drawings direct from the story in his own manner, to which Thackeray agreed; and the result was a fine set of drawings for "Philip" and for other stories, as well as a close friendship between author and artist, only broken by the death of the great novelist.

We engraved many of Leech's drawings, notably the first he did for Punch—"Foreign Affairs" (as before mentioned). It was a full page, and had to be worked at from the moment it came into our hands till it was given to the printer.

John Leech, speaking of Frith's picture of "The Derby Day," could not understand how it was that Frith, in this carefully thought out and elaborate work, had missed one of the most notable facts at such places—inasmuch as he had not depicted anyone of the crowd smoking a pipe or cigar.

[Pg 45]

A Lay of St. Dunstan. By George Cruikshank.

FROM THE "INGOLDSBY LEGENDS."

By permission of Messrs. Macmillan & Co.

The vain, versatile George Cruikshank believed himself another "Admirable Crichton." He really thought he could do anything, and that most of his time having been spent as an illustrator was the result of circumstance and not of choice. He was impressionable in the highest degree, and depending on the subject under notice, immediately realised and expressed his ideas of what "should be done,[Pg 46] and what he would have done if things had favoured him for a career in that direction." Once, the question being of a naval character, he said, "It was by the merest chance that I did not go into the Navy; and with my knowledge of such matters, no doubt I would have been a Rear-Admiral." He was great, also, on the Army, and no doubt felt that had circumstances drifted him in that direction, he would have become another Duke of Wellington. No man ever had greater faith in self than the clever, excitable George Cruikshank.

On the occasion of his exhibiting a small oil picture at the British Institution, called "The Dropped Penny," the fact that it was purchased by Prince Albert no doubt called extra special attention to it, to the extent that it might have been sold many times over. One gentleman was most anxious to have it; or, if this was impossible, would he make a replica? This George declined to do, but undertook a commission, only on the understanding that choice of subject and of size were to be left to him. This was readily agreed to. "The Dropped Penny" was a little thing about 18 by 24 inches. It was a comic picture—two urchins in church, one of whom having dropped a penny on the stone floor is about to pick it up, but they are observed by the Beadle.

When the new work was completed, the gentleman was invited to see it. He found, to his amazement, a picture 16 feet by 20 feet; subject, "The Raising of Lazarus."

[Pg 47]

The Lord of Toulouse. By Sir John Tenniel.

FROM THE "INGOLDSBY LEGENDS."

By permission of Messrs. Macmillan & Co.

George always thought his true forte was the Grand Historical, and with much cause, when we think of his wonderful illustrations to Harrison Ainsworth's "Tower of London," "Windsor Castle," and other romantic histories.

In the illustrated edition of the "Ingoldsby Legends," published by Messrs. R. Bentley & Son, we had the good fortune to engrave nearly all the drawings contributed by John Tenniel and George Cruikshank. During the progress of the[Pg 48] work we saw much of the latter gentleman, who was an exceedingly entertaining companion, being always ready with some anecdotes or reminiscences of his experience. Amongst his many grievances (and George Cruikshank's stock was an assorted one) he complained bitterly of the treatment he had received at the hands of Charles Dickens, with reference to the authorship of "Oliver Twist." Cruikshank maintained "that he had not only suggested the subject to Dickens, but that he had also given him the entire plot, sketched the characters, arranged all the incidents, and, in fact, constructed the entire story; so much so, indeed, that the book was, to all intents and purposes, HIS; for all that Dickens had to do with it was TO WRITE IT OUT, and any man who could hold a pen might have done it better"; concluding with, "I am only sorry now I didn't do it myself." Those were the old man's identical words, as spoken to us.

On one of his visits he related the following interesting circumstances in connection with his famous publication of "The Bottle."[6] This was a series of pictures, the first showing a young, well-conditioned mechanic, sitting in his small, comfortably furnished room surrounded by his wife and three or four children; then followed in order how, in consequence of a constantly increasing habit of intemperance, they sink gradually down in the scale of life, until they go entirely to ruin; his sons to penal servitude, and his daughter to degradation, while both his wife and himself die in the greatest misery and want.

[Pg 49]

The Wedding Day. By George Cruikshank.

FROM THE "INGOLDSBY LEGENDS."

By permission of Messrs. Macmillan & Co.

When on the eve of publication, Cruikshank obtained permission to submit the etchings to Dr. Blomfield, the then Bishop of London. The[Pg 50] Bishop took great interest in looking at the pictures, and asked many questions as the series was turned over, expressing his great admiration in the warmest terms. Then turning and looking Cruikshank full in the face, he said:

"And am I right in coming to the conclusion, Mr. Cruikshank, that you are a staunch total abstainer?"

Cruikshank, in relating this incident to us, said he never in all his life felt himself in such an awkward position, for he was obliged to confess that he did indulge in a little alcohol—occasionally—and that in great moderation.

"You astonish me, Mr. Cruikshank!—you very greatly astonish me!" said the Bishop. "For how a man who is able to depict so forcibly all the misery, the horrors and degradation arising from the indulgence in strong drink as you have done, and himself indulge, even in a moderate degree, is a mystery which I cannot understand."

"On my way home," continued Cruikshank, "I felt so inexpressibly ashamed of myself, and how true the Bishop's remarks were, that I resolved at once to begin the change which I had long contemplated, and I subsequently succeeded in bringing about the desired effect.

"It so happened that a few days after my interview with the Bishop, I received an invitation to dine with a gentleman who was famous in Society for the recherché character of his frequent dinner parties, where the wines were of the choicest brands and most tempting quality, and[Pg 51] everything was served in the most dainty and perfect fashion.

"Now is the time, I said to myself, to prove my strength of purpose. I was successful in resisting all temptation, and left the house after spending a delightful evening without having tasted a single drop of any other liquid than water.

"The next morning when I went into my study," continued Cruikshank, "I patted my head and said, 'George, old boy, you have done well! You have succeeded, George. You have gained a gigantic triumph, and now you must go on, unflinchingly, and conquer!'—and I did. From that day no alcohol of any description ever crossed my lips, and never shall! Never! I'd rather die first!"—here the gallant old fellow posed himself in a dramatic attitude, and throwing out his left arm, and striking his right hand sharply upon his breast, cried in his ringing voice, "Fire!"

During the latter half of his active life he gave much of his time to the cause of temperance, and no doubt his influence had very great effect. At one of his lectures on the subject at Exeter Hall he held up a brand new "pot" hat of shiniest kind and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, this hat as you see it represents George Cruikshank, the temperance advocate, as he now is." Then throwing the hat to the ground, the brim being undermost, he jumped on the crown, crushing it flat, then holding it up to the audience, shouted, "And this represents George Cruikshank, the drunkard, as he was!"

[Pg 52]

The old man stuck to his resolution for the remainder of his life, and even on his death-bed, when his medical attendant, the late Sir W. B. Richardson, himself a staunch total abstainer, prescribed that small quantities of brandy should be taken—of course medicinally—he persistently refused to drink it, and so died at an advanced age, firm in the determination which he had formed many years before that not a drop of alcohol of any description should ever pass his lips again.

The first drawings by F. R. Pickersgill that came into our hands to engrave were for "Poems and Pictures," an early "fine art" book, published by J. Burns, of Orchard Street, which contained designs by many of the leading artists of the time, including several by W. Dice, R.A., Cope, R.A., Creswick, R.A., and others. Our connection with Pickersgill—one of the kindest and best of men—soon ripened into a close friendship, and it was to him that we gave the first commission at our own cost for a set of drawings to illustrate "The Life of Christ," desiring to follow the example of Rethel's "Dance of Death," which had just been published in Germany at a very small price.

Our first Part contained six large pictures, printed with a flat tint, the price being one shilling. The second Part, "The Miracles of our Lord," contained the same number of pictures, and at the same price. Our attempt to produce high class art at what was then thought to be a nominal price was not responded to. Other interests were too strong for us; and although we tried the aid of some first-class[Pg 53] publishers the scheme would not take. We well remember calling on a well-known publisher of Scripture work, who, admitting the excellence as well as the cheapness of the publication, summed up his refusal to purchase copies with the remark, "I really cannot afford to set your cask of wine alongside my barrel of beer."

The Adoration of the Maji. By F. R. Pickersgill, R.A.

REDUCED COPY FROM ONE OF HIS PICTURES FOR "THE LIFE OF CHRIST."

Published for the Brothers Dalziel by Messrs. Chapman & Hall.

[Pg 54]

Pickersgill made drawings for many of the fine art books produced under our care. He also made a series of large drawings on the subject of "The Lord's Prayer," the text of which was paraphrased in verse by Dean Alford; the book being published by Messrs. Longman & Co. He also contributed many beautiful drawings for our Bible Series.

A friend of Pickersgill, the Rev. T. J. Judkin, an eloquent preacher and clever amateur artist, and a pupil of Constable's, produced a Volume of Poems to which many of his artist friends contributed drawings, amongst whom were F. R. Pickersgill, R.A., W. Mulready, R.A., Clarkson Stanfield, R.A., E. M. Ward, R.A., and W. E. Frost, R.A., all of which we engraved for him.

F. R. Pickersgill, R.A., J. C. Hook, R.A., and W. E. Frost, R.A., formed a trio in their student days, working much together, and all illustrating the same subjects—chiefly passages from Spencer's "Fairy Queen," and Italian or Venetian History, basing their style very much upon the Early Italian School. Later in life a closer tie existed between two of these artists, Pickersgill marrying Hook's eldest sister.

Pickersgill told us a somewhat comical experience[Pg 55] Hook had with the Council of "The Art Union of London," who were then procuring a set of drawings on wood by various artists. One subject having been entrusted to Hook, he sent his drawing in, and was asked to call at a stated time, which he did. He saw at once there was something wrong, as the gentlemen sat looking at each other. At last one mustered courage to speak, saying:

Fairy Dance. By W. E. Frost, R.A.

FROM A BOOK OF POEMS BY THE REV. T. J. JUDKIN.

"We like your drawing very much, Mr. Hook, but—er—doesn't it want colour?—er—where—er—where is your bit of black?"

"I don't want a bit of black," said Hook.

"Oh, but we must have a bit of black. There's Mr. B——, now, he always gives a bit of black."

[Pg 56]

Hook, feeling fearfully annoyed, took up the drawing, and dipping his finger in a glass of water, smeared it over, saying:

"There, gentlemen, there is your 'bit of black,'" and throwing down the drawing, left the room.

The following short letter from Mr. Hook, which bears upon this subject, will be of interest:

In a conversation with Richard Doyle he told us that his father (who was the celebrated "H.B.," a political caricaturist during the thirties and forties) always urged his sons to practise drawing from memory, taking all sorts of subjects; that in their walks they should always try to remember one or more figures they had seen, and immediately on their return home, make the best drawing they could in pen and ink; also to frequent the National Gallery or other important picture exhibitions, remaining in front of any one picture that might attract their attention until they had fairly mastered the subject, and then to make the best recollection of it in pencil or colour as they felt inclined. He highly approved[Pg 57] of this method, and felt he had derived great benefit from the process himself.

"O breaking heart that will not break,
Oriana!
O pale, pale face so sweet and meek,
Oriana!
Thou smilest but thou dost not speak,
And then the tears run down my cheek,
Oriana!"

—Tennyson.

By F. R. Pickersgill, R.A.

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

[Pg 58]

Doyle had a facile pencil when once fairly at work, but he was singularly deficient as to the value of time, which appears strange in one who produced so many elaborate drawings; but little reliance could be placed upon him even when working for periodical publications. On one occasion when illustrating a story by Thackeray, the number had to be issued short of certain pictures that had been arranged for. Thackeray was a good deal annoyed and asked Doyle if he could give any reason why he had not done the drawings. He replied in his cool, deliberate manner: "Eh—er—the fact is, I had not got any pencils."

The matter of pencils was always one of some trouble and difficulty with Doyle. The following letter is a fair example of what was a not infrequent occurrence:

[Pg 59]

My dear Sir

I send two large drawings for Jack, and on Tuesday I expect two more, which will make seven.

On Thursday I leave town for 12 or 14 days, and when I return I hope it will not be too late to send the remainder.

Ten, I think was the original number of large drawings we agreed upon, but you said you would rather have less of them and more small ones, and consequently I determined on having eight large and twenty or thirty small. I shall not however, be strict as to number, but will do as many as you can give me time to do.

As I may safely say that more than half are now done it would be agreeable to me if you will let me have half of the L.S.D. at your earliest convenience.

I remain

Very Truly Yours

Richard Doyle

As I have worked two of the blocks, I have got into a mess with rubbing out. I shall be glad if you will send one me or two more.

We gave Doyle a commission to do a Panorama of an Overland Journey to the Great Exhibition of 1851, which it was intended should be published before, or immediately after, the opening day. We need hardly say the drawings were not done to[Pg 60] time; in fact, the last of them was not finished until just on the closing of the Exhibition, consequently the publication was a dead failure.

"Scotland."

FROM "AN OVERLAND JOURNEY TO THE GREAT EXHIBITION OF 1851."

By Richard Doyle.

Published for the Brothers Dalziel by Messrs. Chapman & Hall.

It is greatly to be regretted that Doyle did not see his way to complete this work at the date agreed upon, and while the great excitement about the Exhibition was at fever heat, for the characteristic humour which is so peculiarly his own, and so cleverly depicted in the various Nation[Pg 61]alities forming the Panorama, must have secured for the work a very extensive circulation, and thereby have added greatly to his reputation.

When Doyle retired from contributing to Punch, we gave him a commission to illustrate all the popular Children's Nursery Tales. He expressed himself delighted to undertake the work, and "Jack the Giant Killer" was to be the first. This was done, and published by Cundall and Addy of Bond Street. "The Sleeping Beauty" was the second, but the drawings for this book came so lingeringly to hand that the idea of a series was abandoned, and the blocks were put aside for some time. Those we[Pg 62] had, however, were considered so beautiful, and so full of quaint fancy that we decided to enlist the co-operation of J. R. Planche to set new words to them, which he did very charmingly, and the book was published for us by Messrs. G. Routledge and Sons, under the title of "An Old Fairy Tale Told Anew." Those two stories were all Doyle ever did for the series; and their production extended over several years instead of a few months, as would have been the case in the hands of a more business-like artist.

We cannot help feeling that much excellent work has been lost by Doyle not carrying out this scheme, and fancy what exquisite things he would have made of "Cinderella," "Jack and the Bean Stalk," etc., etc.

[Pg 63]

FROM "JACK THE GIANT KILLER."

By Richard Doyle.

Published for the Brothers Dalziel by Cundall and Addy.

[Pg 64]

Notwithstanding his tardiness, so long as Doyle continued to draw upon wood we were in constant communication with him, engraving his productions.

[Pg 65]

The Arrival at Cologne. "The Passengers Passing their Examination."

FROM "BROWN, JONES AND ROBINSON," BY RICHARD DOYLE.

By permission of Messrs. Bradbury & Agnew.

[Pg 66] Among these may be mentioned many of the illustrations he did for Charles Dickens' Christmas Stories, as well as those he made for Ruskin's charming fairy tale, "The King of the Golden River," Leigh Hunt's "A Jar of Honey from Mount Hylba," and the entire set for "Bird's-Eye Views of Society," published in the Cornhill Magazine. We also engraved a large number of his "Brown, Jones and Robinson" pictures. He proposed to us a scheme for doing a companion volume: "Brown, Jones and Robinson in the Highlands of Scotland," but through his dilatory disposition, and the many and varied engagements we had at that time on our hands, the project was not carried out.

Although we had been accustomed for several years, through our connection with Ebenezer Landells and the Illustrated London News, to work upon Sir John Gilbert's drawings—perhaps among the very first was a small drawing of "Cupid Delivering a Love Letter," published in an early number of Punch—it was not until 1851 that we came into active communication with him. Our first personal interview was to ask him to make two drawings, a title page and frontispiece to "Praise and Principle." He took a small foot rule out of his pocket, measured the size of the two wood blocks, and said, "The price will be thirty-five shillings each, but I could not possibly give them to you tomorrow; but the next morning you may rely on having them." The drawings were duly sent, and with them an account for the[Pg 67] sum named; also a letter to say he had made a mistake in the price, and that all future drawings of the same size and character would be two guineas each. This promptitude, it is worthy of remark, was a striking characteristic of the man, for during the many years that we were in constant intercourse with him, and engraved many hundreds of his drawings, we have no remembrance of him ever being a day behind the time he promised to send in his work.

Evening on the Lago-Maggiore.

FROM "BROWN, JONES AND ROBINSON" BY RICHARD DOYLE.

By permission of Messrs. Bradbury & Agnew.

[Pg 68]

The drawings for "Praise and Principle" were followed by many sets of illustrations, generally eight in number, for books issued by the Messrs. Routledge.

As an example of his peculiar method of book keeping in those early days the following letter will be interesting:

[Pg 69]

"His mother she prepared a feast—
Great stores of venison and wine."

"The Salamandrine."—Dr. Charles Mackay.

By Sir John Gilbert, R.A., P.R.W.S.

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

Early in 1852 we were commissioned by Messrs. Ingram and Cook, who had then added a book publishing business to their other operations, to engrave the pictures for an édition de luxe of Dr. Charles Mackay's beautiful and fantastical poem "The Salamandrine," which Sir John Gilbert had undertaken to illustrate; and it may be confidently said that of the thousands of drawings which he afterwards made he never surpassed the charm[Pg 70] and grace of his manipulative skill as shown in this exquisitely decorated volume. The book was very beautifully got up and most perfectly printed. Of our labour and part in the production, perhaps it may be sufficient to quote a short note Dr. Mackay wrote to us on the subject:

Following "The Salamandrine," began the most important works of our lives, and it was through the enterprise of Messrs. Routledge and Warne that we were enabled to produce so long a list of "Fine Art Books," some of them on commission, and many others entirely on our own responsibility. These also brought us many important commissions from such houses as Messrs. Longman & Co., W. Blackwood & Son, Smith, Elder & Co., J. Nisbet & Co., Appleton & Co., New York, Roberts Brothers, Boston, and several other publishers of high standing both in England and America.

[Pg 71]

Lucy Gray, or Solitude.

"To-night will be a stormy night,
You to the town must go,
And take the lantern, child, to light
Your mother through the snow."

—William Wordsworth.

By Sir John Gilbert, R.A., P.R.W.S.

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

[Pg 72]

An important feature in Sir John Gilbert's practice in this branch of his art was his marvellous power of design, and wonderful dexterity in execution. On one occasion during the progress of his work he spoke of a drawing that had given him some trouble. He said, "Would you believe it, sir, I was so dissatisfied with it that I absolutely rubbed it out." He was asked one day whether he ever made an alteration on any other drawing for "The Salamandrine." He replied, "Was there ever any evidence of such a thing?"

But the greatest work of his that passed through our hands was Staunton's "Shakespeare," also published by Messrs. Routledge, the publication extending over four years. Vast as it was, he never disappointed us as to time, and when we take into consideration the number and elaborate character of the drawings, his regularity in sending them in was really surprising. The system adopted was to leave the tailpieces at the end of each Act to be drawn according to the size of the spaces left on the pages, and it was our custom to send a set of sheets of a Play down to him by special messenger with the understanding that he was to bring the drawings, four or five, as the case might be, back with him the same evening, which he always did: many of them being so elaborately and so carefully finished as to prove that Gilbert literally had the subjects at "his fingers' ends."

The following letters are of interest as expressing Gilbert's opinion and impression on seeing the first number of this important work:

[Pg 73]

King Lear.

ONE OF SIR JOHN GILBERT'S EIGHT HUNDRED AND THIRTY-TWO ILLUSTRATIONS TO THE WORKS OF SHAKESPEARE.

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

[Pg 74]

On the completion of the first volume, he says:

That the printing of some of our books was not at all times faultless, the following note from Sir John Gilbert will testify. In acknowledging a volume of India proofs, he says:

[Pg 75]

King Lear and Fool in a Storm.

Lear. "Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow!
You cataracts, and hurricanoes, spout
Till you have drench'd our steeples."

—Shakespeare.

By Sir John Gilbert, R.A., P.R.W.S.

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

[Pg 76]

About this time W. Harrison Ainsworth was editing "Bentley's Miscellany," and published some of his own works through that journal, Sir John Gilbert making the illustrations to "The Lancaster Witches," which were entrusted to us for engraving and printing. In sending a cheque, Ainsworth wrote:

Again, in another letter accompanying a set of drawings by Gilbert, illustrating "The Constable of the Tower," he says:

While the illustrations to "Shakespeare" were in progress we had two sets of engraver's burnished India proofs taken by skilled hands, under our own special care, before the wood blocks were delivered[Pg 77] to the printer. One set, we are pleased to say, is now the property of the British Museum, where they will remain in all their original beauty.

Thursday Evening

Dear Sirs,

I have just had a glance over the number of our Shakespeare's just issued, and cannot resist writing to you at once to express the very great gratification it has given me. You have indeed done your part of the work nobly, it does you the greatest credit and confirms me in the belief I always have had that no one can engrave my drawings like you can. I have written to George Routledge to the same effect.

Believe me yours truly

John Gilbert

[Pg 78]

Sir John Gilbert died at his house, Vanburgh Park Road, Blackheath, on October 5th, 1897, in his 81st year.

His brother, Mr. Frederick Gilbert, writing on his death, says, "My brother, Sir John, had a long and distressing illness, but we are thankful to think not a very painful one—he died very peacefully."

A friend of Sir John's called upon him a few months before his death and found him hard at work, and making a favourable remark about the picture he was engaged upon, the veteran replied, quite seriously, "Well, yes! I think I'm improving."

"And I am told, Sir John," continued the friend, "that you have never painted from the living model."

Sir John turned his head, with an amused look about the eyes, saying, "Well, to tell you the truth, I cannot remember the time when I did so."

The writer of a highly appreciative article in the Magazine of Art, says, "Though Sir John Gilbert painted art in every branch, it is only in one, and that not in the public estimation the one by which he defies the rivalry of all comers, that he showed himself head and shoulders above the draughtsmen of his time.... Distinguished as he was as a painter, it is in virtue of his achievements in black and white that he takes his[Pg 79] place among the few masters, not of his age and country only, but of all time, who through the medium of the hand and printing press have ranged themselves among the highest.... He may be voted old-fashioned for the moment, but real art rises superior to mode or vogue in taste: it has time upon its side.

Lear Fantastically Dressed with Flowers.

By Sir John Gilbert, R.A., P.R.W.S.

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

[Pg 80]

"Added to innumerable illustrations made for the London Journal, it is estimated that Sir John Gilbert made at least 30,000 drawings for the Illustrated London News.[7] He sent 50 pictures to the Royal Academy, 20 to the British Artists, 40 to the Royal Water Colour Society, 40 to the British Institute, and produced about 270 works which have never been exhibited. Added to this stupendous list of works he contributed 110 drawings to the Illustrated Edition of 'Longfellow's Poems,' 50 to Dr. Charles Mackay's 'Salamandrine,' 832 to Staunton's 'Shakespeare,' several to 'Lays of the Holy Land,' 'The Book of Job,' and 'Wordsworth's Poems,' as well as a liberal contribution to the long series of books known as 'Dalziel's Fine Art Books.'"

In referring to Gilbert's book illustrations a recent writer says, "There is no sign of haste, though many are sketchy; still, there is nothing which suggests that greater excellence would have attended greater elaboration."

CHAPTER III.

Much has been written about "The Golden Period of Illustration" as it existed in the early Sixties, represented by wood engraving and the admirable drawings done for that process by such artists as Sir John Millais, Fred Walker, A. Boyd Houghton, Dante G. Rossetti, G. J. Pinwell, Sir E. J. Poynter, Lord Leighton, Sir E. Burne-Jones, F. Sandys, and other notable artists.

Our opportunities were favourable. We were equally fortunate in being so intimately connected with men possessing such exceptional talent, and it must ever be a great satisfaction to us that we were in a position to avail ourselves of their brilliant ability.

Our co-operation with Sir John Millais began about midway in the fifties, when, at his request, Moxon, the publisher, brought one of the Tennyson drawings for us to engrave, and continued for many years, during which time a large majority of the drawings he made for wood engraving were entrusted to us. These included his work for the Cornhill Magazine, Good Words, and the majority of those he did for other serial publications, including the illustrations to Anthony Trollope's "Orley Farm," "The Small House at Allington," and "Framley Parsonage." This artistic association only ceased when he discontinued doing this class of work.[Pg 82] During the entire time we gave the most perfect satisfaction to Millais, who frequently expressed himself in the warmest, and to us extremely flattering, terms of appreciation.

We subsequently discovered that it was to Richard Doyle we were indebted for our introduction to Millais, who was then living at Bowerswell. Perth, where Doyle was on a visit, and noticing the delicate character of a drawing he was at work upon said he believed the Dalziels were the only engravers who could do justice to such elaborate manipulation. Upon this Millais requested Moxon to place the drawings in our hands, and so satisfied was he with our first performance, that all the remaining drawings he made for this edition of "Tennyson's Poems" were given to us.

Previous to Mr. Moxon entrusting Millais' drawings to us, he had placed all the subjects with the different artists, but found great difficulty in getting the work from them. He gave us a list of those waited for, and placed the completion of the engravings in our hands, asking us to look up the artists, which brought us in close communication with those engaged upon the work.

He also asked us to superintend the printing of the book, which was being done by Messrs. Bradbury and Evans, who certainly bestowed the greatest care upon its production, but no sheet was sent to Press until we had signed it as "approved." The number printed was 10,000 copies, which were done at the old hand press, for at that time cylinder machine work was not considered good[Pg 83] enough: but all that has long been changed—the finest and most elaborate work being now produced in this way.

The Lord of Burleigh.

Tennyson.

By Sir J. E. Millais, P.R.A.

By permission of Messrs. Macmillan & Co.

This edition will always be known as "Moxon's Tennyson," and will stand out as a landmark in the history of book illustration. In the work of the younger men engaged on it, beyond the extreme beauty of their designs, there was an evidence of earnestness to search after truth that went so deep into nature as to give the work a stamp of superiority: and this advance in art—for it was an advance—we endeavoured to follow and to promote to the best of our power.

[Pg 84]

Locksley Hall proof

The outline of the daughters head is too thick from this' in....ssion I cannot see her mouth but will wait for the next, the nostril is too large, and the mother's face is too full of little fine lines, take away the fuzzy lines indicating the upper lip—Clear the eye enlarging the upper lid by making this line of the eye less thick bad right There are some little scratches on his fingers holding the envelope [Pg 85] thus which may be taken out, In the shading of the daughters hands on her side, there are some black veins which may also be eradicated—There are other little corrections if you compare these touched proofs, with others as the blocks are—I rush now I am very hard at work painting but will attend to the Coleridge & Byron designs at my first liaison—Hoping to hear from you soon believe me yours very truly

Dalziel Brothers. John Everett Millais

[Pg 86]

The volume was published by Mr. Moxon at £1 11s. 6d., but the public did not respond as had been expected, consequently a large stock was left on hand. These were sold to Messrs. Routledge and Co., and, with the stock, the entire set of the wood blocks went also. The price of the volume was reduced to £1 1s., and it sold out immediately. On this success Messrs. Routledge wished to produce a new edition, but Tennyson's terms were too high to leave any margin of profit to the publisher. This doubtless was the cause of the book being so long out of print; but the property having since passed into the hands of Messrs. Macmillan they have reproduced this very interesting book.

On November 23rd, 1856, Mr. Holman Hunt, on receiving the proof of a drawing he had made for Moxon's edition, writes:

[Pg 87]

From "The Talking Oak."

Tennyson.

By Sir J. E. Millais, P.R.A.

By permission of Messrs. Macmillan & Co.

[Pg 88]

Although we were in communication with Dante Gabriel Rossetti at an earlier date, when we engraved a small drawing[9] which he made in illustration to a poem, "The Maids of Elfin-Mere," by William Allingham, published by Bell and Daldy, in a volume entitled, "Day and Night Songs"—Rossetti's artist co-workers in this book were J. E. Millais and Arthur Hughes, all the drawings being engraved by ourselves—we did not come in contact with him again until we received the following letter:

The Millais drawings here alluded to are those made to illustrate passages from Byron and Coleridge, mentioned later on. His own was the St. Cecillia which Rossetti did for the "Illustrated Tennyson."[10]

It would be obviously out of place for us to comment upon the difference in treatment which we gave, and that of other engravers who were entrusted to operate upon some of the drawings he made for this book, or to remark upon the comparisons of certain critics writing upon the subject; we can only affirm that Mr. Rossetti expressed himself both verbally and by letter as being well pleased with our work. Writing on the receipt of two finished proofs, he says:

[Pg 89]

1 April

14 Chatham Place
E.C.

Dear Sir

Many thanks for the two proofs kindly sent—both of them now highly satisfactory & well repaying all your pains.

Yours faithfully
DS Rossetti

That Rossetti was a man difficult to please in his literary work as well as in his art, the following is an apt illustration:

In one of the "Allingham letters," he says:

The Ballad of Oriana.

Tennyson.

By Holman Hunt.

By permission of Messrs. Macmillan & Co.

Mr. W. M. Rossetti, writing of his brother's social peculiarities, says:

[Pg 91]

St. Cecillia.

THE "PALACE OF ART."

Tennyson.

By Dante G. Rossetti.

By permission of Messrs. Macmillan & Co.

Though we never had any personal interview with Rossetti's sister, Miss Christina Rossetti, we had considerable correspondence with this gifted lady, extending over several years, she having written some short poems which helped to adorn the pages of one or more of our Fine Art Books. We also published her charming little Nursery Rhyme Book, "Sing Song," which was very tastefully illustrated by Arthur Hughes. The manuscript of this book was somewhat of a curiosity in its way. On each page, above the verse, was a slight pen sketch, drawn by Miss Rossetti, suggesting the subject to illustrate, but of these Mr. Hughes made very little use, and only in two instances actually followed the[Pg 92] sketch. The book was published on our behalf by Messrs. George Routledge & Co.

On one occasion when Mr. Arthur Hughes sent in some of the drawings which he had made, one of the pages of manuscript was missing, and on this being pointed out to him he sent the following note:

"July 31, '71.

"Dear Messrs. Dalziel,—I am sure that I put in the rhyme of 'Dancing on the hill tops.' I am very careful with them—going two or three times through them before packing up. I don't remember which was 45, but the four figures representing the Seasons is to the poem of the Months, beginning 'January, cold, desolate'; and as well as I can remember the poem for the drawing of a man with fagot and basket meeting his child—it goes thus:

'Dancing on the hill tops,
Singing in the valleys,
Laughing with the echoes,
Merry little Alice.
If her father's cottage
Turned into a palace,
And he owned the hill tops
And the flowering valleys,
She'd be none the happier—
Happy little Alice.'

—and had a pencil sketch at top of a child on a pointed hill.

"I am just about finishing a batch of these—belonging to last week, alas!—but I am also finishing the frontispiece of the Carols. These shall come very soon.

"Believe me,
"Faithfully yours,

"Arthur Hughes."

[Pg 93]

Hallelujah.

THE "SUNDAY MAGAZINE."

By Arthur Hughes.

Published by Mr. Alexander Strahan.

[Pg 94]

We had for a long time cherished the idea of doing an important series of illustrations to "The Parables of Our Lord." This occupied much anxious thought and careful consideration, for we felt it would be useless attempting the subject unless the drawings were made by an artist of acknowledged high-class ability. We found our chief difficulty in fixing upon one capable of treating the subject with sufficient dignity, and at the same time likely to avoid the old conventional style in which at that time Biblical art was treated. As many of Sir John Millais' charming drawings had been passing through our hands—among others we would mention some exceptionally beautiful work illustrating selected passages from poems by Byron and Coleridge, as well as his exquisite drawing of "The Finding of Moses"—it seemed to us that he would be a safe man to consult on the subject, and likely to give us something more original in treatment than any other artist who was doing this class of work.

Millais entered warmly into the subject and very readily undertook the commission, as the accompanying letter will show:

[Pg 95]

The Pearl of Great Price.

FROM "THE PARABLES OF OUR LORD."

By Sir J. E. Millais, P.R.A.

By permission of Messrs. Herbert Virtue & Co., Ltd.

[Pg 96]

Monday Bowerswell
Perth

Dear Dalziel,

At last I have finished "The Pearl of great price"—you will at once see there is a tremendous lot of work in it., & I have put a little more white in parts than perhaps is good,—but I could not help it, as I require to alter a good deal. I know very well you will give it all your attention & after all that you have done I feel sure it will be rendered a [Pg 97] facsimile = the head of Lucy Roberts is just what I wanted which is very fortunate as I could not suggest alterations—

Yours sincerely,
John E Millais

Messrs. Dalziel brothers

Millais produced several of the drawings very promptly, but, as time went on and he became more popular—the demand for his pictures daily increasing—longer intervals gradually took place between the delivery of the drawings, and it was not until the end of 1864 that the last was sent in. Even then he had only made twenty drawings out of thirty, which he at first undertook to do. At the same time he requested us to release him from the remainder of the agreement, and to this we[Pg 98] had no choice but to comply, though we did so very reluctantly, feeling that the world of art would be so much the poorer.

In 1862 we accepted an offer from Mr. Alexander Strahan, and twelve of these pictures were published in Good Words Magazine. Later, in 1864, the entire series was published for us in book form by George Routledge & Sons. But we are sorry to say they did not receive that liberal recognition from either the public or the critics which their undoubted excellence ought to have commanded.

When we conceived the idea of doing an Illustrated Bible, of which we will have much to say further on, Millais was one of the first artists we consulted on the subject. He warmly approved of the project, and promised his most hearty and liberal co-operation; but like many other equally hearty promises from artists of note, they were never fulfilled, not, we are sure, from any want of sympathy with the subject, but owing entirely to the pressure of other engagements. At last his undertaking on this work simmered down to a positive promise of one drawing, and that to be "Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden," but though he was often solicited, and always promised to set about it immediately, he never made the drawing, nor do we know that he went so far as to make even the slightest rough sketch of a design for it. To us this was an inexpressible disappointment, as without that picture it was obviously impossible to commence the publication.

[Pg 99]

The Unjust Judge.[11]

FROM "THE PARABLES OF OUR LORD."

By Sir J. E. Millais, P.R.A.

By permission of Messrs. Herbert Virtue & Co., Ltd.]

[Pg 100]

Bowerswell Perth.
14 Jany. 59.

Dear Sir,

Nothing can be more exquisitely rendered than the "Importunate Widow". There are two or three little trifles wh. I will tell you when I come up. It appears to have been better cut than any other I have ever seen, you have only to show it to any artist, & he will at once see how it is executed—The two I am about are the "Ten Virgins". I will try & send [Pg 101] you one next week. I am only sorry that I cannot turn them out faster. I am charmed with yr. work.

Faithfully y^rs,
John Everett Millais

This, with many other similar disappointments of help which we had confidently relied upon, caused the project to hang fire, until at last, in 1880, we resolved to abandon the idea of an Illustrated Bible, and publish some of the engravings we had made in a folio under the title of "Dalziel's Bible Gallery."

That our difficulties in carrying out the elaborate project we had formed began at an early date, the following extract from a letter by Sir John Millais, dated February 8th, 1863, will show:

The "publisher who first made the proposal" here referred to was Mr. Joseph Cundall, who was not at that time in business as a publisher, but had formed a project of publishing an "Illustrated Bible." His progress in the matter merely consisted in his having commissioned the several artists named by Millais, with two or three others, while his actual purchase was three small drawings of minor importance. These, with his "priority of claim," we subsequently purchased from him. We never used the drawings, however, not considering them favourable specimens.

In a letter, which is without date, showing how earnestly Millais laboured and how anxious he was to give his most perfect work in producing the charming series of illustrations to "The Parables of Our Lord," he says:

[Pg 103]

The Leaven.

FROM "THE PARABLES OF OUR LORD."

By Sir J. E. Millais, P.R.A.

By permission of Messrs. Herbert Virtue & Co., Ltd.

[Pg 104]

Further on in the same letter he writes:

Sir John was at all times ready to help a brother or sister artist, and avoid as far as possible running in competition, as the following few lines will show.

In a letter dated February 8th, 1863, he writes:

In reference to the engraving of "The Lord of Burleigh" he says:

Millais, on returning proofs which we had submitted for his touching or approval, invariably made such favourable remarks on our portion of the work as the following:

In reply to a letter of ours asking for a further supply of "Parable" drawings, Mrs. Millais writes:

Mrs. Millais, writing on another occasion to account for the non-delivery of drawings, says:

On our sending Millais complete copies of "The Parables" he wrote the following letter:

"Now, Randolph, tell thy tidings,
However sharp they be."

"Edinburgh, after Flodden."—Aytoun.

FROM "LAYS OF THE SCOTTISH CAVALIERS."

By Sir J. Noel Paton, P.R.S.A.

By permission of Messrs. William Blackwood & Sons.

[Pg 108]

The following is an extract from the Preface to the first edition of the book:

During the years from 1858 to 1863 we engraved several grand drawings by Sir J. Noel Paton in illustration to a fine art edition of Professor Aytoun's "Lays of the Scottish Cavaliers," published by Messrs. Blackwood of Edinburgh. In a letter, dated October 8th, 1858, he says:

[Pg 109]

"Yet a black and murky battlement
Lay resting on the hill."

"The Execution of Montrose."—Aytoun.

FROM "LAYS OF THE SCOTTISH CAVALIERS."

By Sir J. Noel Paton, P.R.S.A.

By permission of Messrs. William Blackwood & Sons.

[Pg 110]

On returning parcels of touched proofs, he wrote the following letters:

[Pg 111]

37 Drummond Place
Edinburgh
April 27. 1859.

Gentlem...

I am sorry to find myself again convicted of culpable negligence, in having left your last beautiful proofs to lay unacknowledged.—As before, excessive occupation, tempered with indisposition is my excuse. The blocks [Pg 112] may now be considered quite satisfactory—and I sincerely wish there were a dozen more of my drawings in your hands.

In much haste—
Very truly yours,

J. Noel Paton

Messrs. Dalziel

[Pg 113]

"On wheels of light, on wings of flame,
The glorious hosts of Zion came."

"The Song of Bethlehem."—Campbell.

FROM "LAYS OF THE HOLY LAND."

By J. R. Clayton.

By permission of Messrs. James Nisbet & Co.

[Pg 114]

"The Lays of the Holy Land" was projected by Mr. Watson, then the head of James Nisbet and Co., who, mainly under our guidance, made a very wise selection for the figure subjects. Tenniel's are exceptionally fine, "The Destruction of Sennacherib" being perhaps the most important. The "Song of the Jewish Maiden," by F. R. Pickersgill, R.A., is one of his best, and there is a lovely drawing, "Ruth and Naomi," by J. H. Powell, but the one picture that stands alone is "The Finding of Moses by Pharaoh's Daughter," by Millais. The strength and power as well as the treatment are so original as to give it even in this fine collection a marked degree of undoubted prominence. Wolf has several exquisite examples, so has Birket Foster. Of our own drawings we will only mention "Tears for Jerusalem" and "The Raising of Lazarus." There is also a very beautiful drawing, "The Song of Bethlehem," in a fine decorative manner, by J. R. Clayton.

Clayton has been our friend and comrade for over fifty years. We met as fellow students at the Life School at Clipstone Street, when Edward Duncan was President and Treasurer, and Charles Keene, John Tenniel, George Boyce, H. T. Wells, and Arthur Lewis were amongst the regular workers.

[Pg 115]

The Finding of Moses by Pharaoh's Daughter.

FROM "LAYS OF THE HOLY LAND."

By Sir J. E. Millais, P.R.A.

By permission of Messrs. James Nisbet & Co.

[Pg 116]

This much-gifted, many-sided man began his artistic work as a sculptor with Sir Charles Barry, and under the influence of Sir Gilbert Scott, attaining much knowledge in architecture and ecclesiastical matters, he soon developed a decided taste for decorative work. During this period, however, his wonderful facility for design found an easy outlet in drawing on wood. Our early connection with him began on the Illustrated London News, for which he did much beautiful work, notably some illustrations to "New Songs Written to Old Tunes," by Dr. Charles Mackay. He also illustrated an edition of "Krumacher's Fables," translated by Dr. Hy. W. Dulcken, a dear old friend, who was then one of the managers of Ingram and Cook's book branch of the Illustrated London News. Clayton also did a set of illustrations to "Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress." We had the benefit of his work in many of the "Fine Art Books" on which we were from time to time engaged. He did the figure subjects for "Herbert's Poetical Works," and, in companionship with Sir John Tenniel, made most of the figure subjects for "Pollock's Course of Time."

Clayton's taste for decorative work gradually took the form of stained glass, and his success in that way became so extensive that the art of Book Illustration sank into the background. Although not really one of the P.R.B., he was of them, and with them in all their ways and works. If the Royal Academy had a more extensive scale of fitness for the honour, there is no man to our knowledge whose great ability as a true artist better deserves the distinction of R.A.

[Pg 117]

There's nae Luck About the House.

FROM "HOME AFFECTIONS WITH THE POETS."

By Sir J. E. Millais, P.R.A.

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

[Pg 118]

Bowerswell Perth
August 16. 57.

Dear Sir,

Both the illustrations are so perfectly cut that I have nothing to say, and therefore will keep both the proofs, as I should like to have them—Perhaps you may just fine down one or two lines in the "There's nae luck" the upper line of the womans hand Run the shading of the mans shoulder more into the outline also the little girls left leg should [Pg 119] the mans shoe and run a little more decided light down the dogs nose Beyond these trivial corrections I see nothing. I shall be glad to see how the "Moses" drawings cut, these two are most satisfactory

Yours very truly,
John Everett Millais

W^m. Dalziel brothers

[Pg 120]

Edward Duncan, George Dodgson and F. W. Topham, with a few other members of the "Old Society of Painters in Water Colours," formed a club for outdoor sketching, the rule being that at a selected spot all should sit down as close to each other as possible, taking various points of view according to individual taste. One day whilst at work in a field on the banks of the Upper Thames, they saw a sturdy farmer coming towards them looking very fierce and angry. When he got near the party he said:

"What be you lot o' lazy devils a-doing in my field?"

"Sketching, sir, sketching!"

"Is that fit work for men? When the young ladies from Miss Gray's boarding school come down to 'sketch' I say let 'em; if it pleases them, it don't hurt me, an' there be no harm; but when I see a lot of great hulking men like you fellows about such nonsense it makes me fair angry! Why, domn it, you might be doing a lot o' good work o' some sort! I would rather break stones by the roadside for a shilling a day than fool away my time like you be doing. You ought to be ashamed o' yourselves, you ought!"

They tried to explain to him that they made their living by painting pictures. After some strong expressions of doubt the farmer sobered down a little and asked Dodgson how much he would get for the one he was "doing." Dodgson, knowing the sort of man he had to deal with, said:

"Perhaps as much as ten shillings, or maybe twenty if I can find a friend who fancies it."

The answer came, "Thee be a domned liar as well as a lazy lout!" Then with a look of contempt the tiller of the soil stumped away.

[Pg 121]

"From the window I look out,
To mark thy beautiful parade;
Stately marching in cap and coat,
To some tune by fairies played."

"Threnody."—Ralph Waldo Emerson.

FROM "HOME AFFECTIONS WITH THE POETS."

By Edward Dalziel.

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

[Pg 122]

"The Poets of the Nineteenth Century," in addition to the two fine drawings by Millais already named, has many other good pictures; one of the most remarkable, perhaps, is the "Prisoner of Chillon," by Ford Madox Brown. Sir John Tenniel is well represented, the "Death of Marmion" being one of his best. Sir John Gilbert, too, has several: "The Vicar," "To my Mother's Picture," and "Hohenlinden." So pleased were we with the latter design that we offered him a commission for a water colour drawing of the subject. His reply was, "Yes, and it shall be one of my best." And it certainly was one of his most successful as a highly-finished work and will always hold its own. There are also several interesting drawings by William Harvey, J. D. Harding, Edward Duncan, and G. Dodgson; a large number of exquisite examples of Birket Foster, and several figure subjects by J. R. Clayton, F. R. Pickersgill, R.A., Edward Corbould, and Harrison Weir. Of our own many drawings in this book we will mention a small roadside landscape, "Taste," and a single figure, "The History of a Life."

On February 6th, 1856, Mr. Ford Madox Brown, in returning a volume of the Illustrated Edition of "Longfellow's Poems," wrote:

Subsequently, on seeing the volume, "The Poets of the Nineteenth Century," he wrote:

[Pg 123]

"There, ye wise Saints, behold your Light, your Star—
Ye would be dupes and victims, and ye are."

The Veiled Prophet of Khorassan.

FROM "LALLA ROOKH."

By Sir John Tenniel.

By permission of Messrs. Longman & Co.

In "Home Affections with the Poets," Millais again stands pre-eminent in his two contributions. "There's Nae Luck About the House," when compared with his drawing of the "Finding of Moses," is an apt illustration of his wonderful ver[Pg 124]satility, and a proof that in art all subjects were equally within his power.

F. R. Pickersgill has some fine pictures in this book, his "Oriana" being full of tender feeling. Sir John Tenniel, too, is very strong, his "Fair Inez" being the best. Sir John Gilbert and Birket Foster are both very powerful; the former in "When I Come Home," "The Two Angels," and "The Wee Thing"; the latter in his "True Love," "Come Awa', Come Awa'," "My Sister Ellen," and "The Graves of the Household." There is a very clever drawing, "The Sailors Journal," by George Thomas, and a grand picture, "The Shipwreck," by Edward Duncan. Among our own drawings in the collection are, "To Mary in Heaven," Emerson's "Threnody," and "My Mother Dear."

Among the first works of importance by Sir John Tenniel that came into our hands to engrave were several drawings for an illustrated edition of Tupper's "Proverbial Philosophy," as well as his contributions to the illustrated publications issued by the Art Union of London. He also made a great many important drawings for the numerous "Fine Art Books" which we produced; among them we would particularly mention "Dramatic Poems," by Barry Cornwall, and "Pollock's Course of Time"; likewise several exceptionally clever drawings for "The Ingoldsby Legends," published by Richard Bentley.

[Pg 125]

"Poor maiden!" thought the youth, "if thou wert sent."

The Veiled Prophet of Khorassan.

FROM "LALLA ROOKH."

By Sir John Tenniel.

By permission of Messrs. Longman & Co.

One of his most elaborate works was the set of illustrations to "Lalla Rookh." The drawings were all made on the wood with lead pencil, and were fine examples of his varied powers of design and delicate manipulation—such as gave us great pleasure in the rendering. The book was published by Messrs. Longman & Co. If Tenniel had never done any other work than "Lalla Rookh," and those two remarkable books "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass," they alone would have been sufficient to immortalise him. What a piece of work the frontispiece to the former is! What dignity and rare grotesque humour are shown in both these books! What beautiful pictures "Advice from Caterpillar" and "The Father William" make!—[Pg 126]and how perfectly they are all drawn! "Pig and Pepper," "The Kitchen Scene," and "Alice and the Duchess" are among the best.

As a matter of fact, Tenniel did not wish to do the second book, so Mr. Dodgson ("Lewis Carrol"), the author, asked various other artists to undertake the task, amongst them Sir J. Noel Paton, who, being out of health at the time, at once declined, saying, "No, Tenniel is the man." And most fortunately, both for author and artist, he was, the drawings being most grotesque, and the delightful fooling and outrageous fancy beyond description: for instance, "Looking-Glass House," "Tweedle-dum-tweedle-dee-dee," "Humpty-Dumpty," "The Lion and Unicorn," and last of all "Queen Alice." Such pictures were half the battle in the success of these two delightful little volumes.

During the process of completing the illustrations a great deal of correspondence, always of the most agreeable nature, took place with the Rev. Mr. Dodgson, as to their execution and finish. It is well known that he was more than usually critical, both with the drawings and with the engravings. Mr. Dodgson also entrusted us later with the drawings made by Mr. A. B. Frost—a very clever and highly esteemed American artist, who fully entered into the quaint humour of the text—for "Rhyme and Reason" and "A Tangled Tale."

So much was Tenniel engaged at this time that we always regarded his undertaking the pictures, seven in number, for our "Arabian Nights," as an act of kindness to ourselves.

[Pg 127]

Alice in Wonderland.

By Sir John Tenniel.

By permission of Messrs. Macmillan & Co.

Outside his Punch work, we believe nearly all Tenniel's work for wood engraving was executed by us.

[Pg 128]

10 Portsdown Road
Jan^y. 11. 1870.

All good wishes for the New Year!!!

Dear Dalziel,

Are you disposed to undertake the engraving of another little book for Mr. Dodgson?—It is a continuation of "Alice's Adventures," and I am going to work upon it at once.

One line please to say "Yes"—and I'll let you know the size of blocks &c.

In much haste

Yours very truly
J Tenniel.

[Pg 129]

The Sleeping Genie and the Lady.

FROM "DALZIEL'S ARABIAN NIGHTS."

By Sir John Tenniel.

By permission of Messrs. Ward, Lock & Co.

[Pg 130]

Messrs. Bradbury and Evans had at one time the idea of publishing an "Illustrated Shakespeare," and Tenniel was to do all the drawings, but beyond two very characteristic subjects which we engraved the project was abandoned. Doubtless he found the undertaking more than he could carry out when added to his weekly work for Punch and his other engagements.

No matter what other work he had in hand, he always contributed his weekly cartoon to Punch. The moral teaching of these drawings is beyond measure. Whether it be in caustic satire or exquisite pathos, he held the town for over fifty years, proving himself to be not only a great artist, but one who will rank amongst the highest of Britain's worthies.

Sir John Tenniel was never very effusive in his observations, though his remarks were invariably complimentary. The following are two of his letters received on submitting proofs for his correction:

[Pg 131]

The Crawley Family.

FROM "THE FRAMLEY PARSONAGE."

By Sir J. E. Millais, P.R.A.

By permission of Messrs. Smith, Elder & Co.

[Pg 132]

When the Cornhill Magazine, in 1859, was first advertised for publication at the price of one shilling, with Thackeray as editor, the announcement fell like a bomb in the midst of the magazine publishers—Blackwood, Frazer, Colburn, Bentley and others—for nothing of this description had even been so much as dreamt of before at a less price than the orthodox half-crown. The heavy government duty on paper, then only recently removed, may have been some apology for the high price hitherto charged for this class of literature, which at the present day is so far surpassed, if not always in quality certainly in quantity, at less than half the price of the great "Cornhill innovation."

[Pg 133]

Lady Lufton and the Duke of Omneum.

FROM "THE FRAMLEY PARSONAGE."

By Sir J. E. Millais, P.R.A.

By permission of Messrs. Smith, Elder & Co.

[Pg 134]

In 1847 or '48 we were introduced to Mr. George Smith, of Smith, Elder and Co., and for several years executed a fair share of the engravings they required. Amongst the earlier of these works we contributed to "The Jar of Honey, from Mount Hybla," by Leigh Hunt, and "The Dwarf of the Golden River," by John Ruskin. During this period we were not infrequently brought into correspondence with Mr. Williams, literary adviser of the firm. He was a grand old gentleman, with a kind, sympathetic manner, which won for him the sincere regard of all with whom he became associated.

When the Cornhill Magazine was started we were asked by Mr. George Smith (whose courtesy and kindness were at all times most marked during the many years of our connection) to undertake the engravings, as he purposed issuing one or two full page plates with each monthly number. This we did for several years, producing during the time, among the more important works, charming illustrations by Millais, Richard Doyle, Lord Leighton, P.R.A., F. Sandys, and other artists, all of whom, as time rolled on, acquired a prominent position in their art.

Artists not being proverbial for the just appreciation of punctuality, many of these engravings were produced under great pressure, as the following letter from Mr. George Smith will show:

Temptation.—Horace Saltoun.

FROM THE "CORNHILL MAGAZINE."

By Sir J. E. Millais, P.R.A.

By permission of Messrs. Smith, Elder & Co.

[Pg 136]

Richard Doyle's "Bird's-eye Views of Society," which first appeared in the Cornhill, were afterwards published in book form, and had a very considerable sale.

It was also through our connection with the Cornhill Magazine that we were introduced to George Augustus Sala, who was at that time contributing a series of papers and illustrating the articles himself. On our submitting proofs for his correction or approval, he wrote:

[Pg 137]

Lady with Hounds.

FROM "LONDON SOCIETY."

By Sir J. E. Millais, P.R.A.

By permission of Mr. James Hogg.

CHAPTER IV.

Birket Foster was a genuine man; kind and generous to a degree in all the ways of life. He stands as one of England's most popular landscape draughtsmen, and as a painter in water colour of great distinction.

We first knew him as a little boy with round jacket and turn-down collar. Later he came to be apprenticed to Ebenezer Landells to learn the art of wood engraving; but in this he made literally no progress, and Landells considering that as a landscape draughtsman he might be more likely to take a foremost position, the youth's attention was turned to this branch of art with the most satisfactory results. His improvement was very rapid, and all that could be desired by his employer.

Shortly before the termination of his engagement with Landells he went for a holiday to Scotland, where, unfortunately, he had a very bad accident, breaking an arm and receiving other serious injuries, which for a long time quite incapacitated him for work. It was during his illness that the period of his indentures expired, but as soon as he was well enough to resume work he insisted on returning to his duties that he might make up the time that had been lost; and this he did without[Pg 139] any request on Landells' part. On his return we well remember seeing him at work in a little top room in Birch Court, E.C. He was making small drawings of pots and pans, teapots, gridirons, and other such articles for an ironmongers catalogue, and said, in the most cheerful manner, "It is right that I should return here and do this work; it is good practice, and will enable me to draw all these sorts of things with some practical knowledge."

Our first personal business connection with Birket Foster was in 1851, when we commissioned him to make a set of eight illustrations to "Kirk White's Poetical Works" for Messrs. George Routledge and Co. After this he illustrated several small books in a similar manner for us, as well as becoming a constant and very liberal contributor to many of the "Fine Art Books" which we produced. Amongst these we may mention "Wordsworth's Poems," where his many tastefully selected views of the Cumberland and Westmoreland Lake scenery give such a charm to the book; also "Odes and Sonnets," illustrated by a series of very beautiful landscapes which were printed in tints; "Summer Time in the Country," etc. After hundreds of his drawings had passed through our hands we asked him to make a series of larger pictures, which were to be the best and most perfect work he could do, and they were, as far as possible, to be thoroughly representative subjects of rustic English scenery.

Foster most readily undertook the commission,[Pg 140] and was very anxious to commence working upon it, as the following letter shows:

Notwithstanding this, having regard to his other engagements and the elaborate nature of the drawings, he made but slow progress, and fully four years elapsed from the commencement to the completion of the work. During this time he had been elected a member of the Royal Society of Painters in Water Colours, and from the day he exhibited his first picture there, there was an ever-increasing demand for examples from his brush, and a corresponding delay in his completing this commission. It is somewhat interesting to state that the last drawing of this series was the very last he made in black and white for the wood-engraver's purpose.

Instead of the fifty principal subjects and the fifty small vignettes contracted for, at his earnest request we consented to reduce the fifty large pictures to thirty, and forgo altogether the fifty small vignettes.

[Pg 141]

"Come awa, come awa,
An' o'er the march wi' me, lassie:
Leave your Southron wooers a',
My winsome bride to be, lassie.
Lands nor gear I proffer you,
Nor gauds to busk ye fine, lassie,
But I've a heart that's leal an' true,
And a' that heart is thine, lassie."

"Come Awa, Come Awa."—Thomas Pringle.

FROM "HOME AFFECTIONS WITH THE POETS."

By Birket Foster, R.W.S.

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

[Pg 142]

When the thirty drawings were completed we asked him to reproduce the entire series as water colour drawings, of such varied dimensions as he himself might decide, for which we offered to pay him the sum of £3000; but after giving the matter very careful consideration, he said, in consequence of his other engagements, he felt reluctantly compelled to decline the commission.

There is no need for us to dilate on the earnest manner in which Foster carried out these thirty subjects. He gave us such beautiful drawings, so exquisitely manipulated, that we naturally bestowed infinite care in their reproduction, and it was throughout a labour of pleasure and delight to us. We published the work through Messrs. Routledge and Co. as "Birket Foster's Pictures of English Landscape," and it is a satisfaction to us to be able to record that the book was fully appreciated by the British Public.

An important part of our scheme in preparing this book was to have a page of verse, either descriptive of or in sympathy with each picture, so that it might possess literary as well as pictorial interest. When our work was drawing to a completion, we submitted some of the proofs to Sir John Millais; and it is, perhaps, hardly necessary to say that he was charmed with the pictures, and warmly entered into the idea of having poetic descriptions to them. When asked his opinion whether he thought Lord, then Mr., Tennyson would be likely to co-operate with us, he immediately, in the most generous manner, offered to write to him on the subject, saying:

The following letter from Lady Tennyson to Millais will show how the proposition was received:

This letter was accompanied by the following note from Millais:

Ultimately the matter was placed in the hands of Tom Taylor, the dramatic author, who was at that[Pg 144] time art critic to the Times, as well as a liberal contributor to Punch, of which journal he subsequently became editor. He wrote:

Taylor, in undertaking the commission, said:

[Pg 145]

"... Who played
Beneath the same green tree,
Whose voices mingled as they prayed
Around one parent knee!"

"The Graves of the Household."—Mrs. Hemans.

FROM "HOME AFFECTIONS WITH THE POETS."

By Birket Foster, R.W.S.

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

[Pg 146]

In August, 1881, we published an Édition de Luxe of the book, a large, handsome volume, the pictures all printed on India paper. On sending copies to Foster we received the following reply:

Wishing to present a copy of the book to the Emperor of the French, we wrote to his Secretary, and the following letter came as his reply:

[Pg 147]

"I heard a thousand blended notes,
While in a grove I sat reclin'd,
In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind."

"Lines Written on Early Spring."—Wordsworth.

By Birket Foster, R.W.S.

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

[Pg 148]

To which we replied expressing our wish that it should be a presentation work, when again the secretary wrote:

The book was sent to St. Cloud, and doubtless perished in the flames when that picturesque Palace was burnt down during the Siege of Paris in 1871.

Lord Leighton in acknowledging the receipt of a copy of this book says:

[Pg 149]

Birket Foster was a constant visitor at our office in High Street, Camden Town, generally bringing a parcel of drawings with him. On one of these occasions the conversation turned upon water colour painting and the great demand there was for that class of art, when, having seen some of his slight sketches in colour, we expressed a little surprise that he did not "go in" for it. He replied that his wife had suggested the same thing, but—and he shrugged his broad shoulders, saying, "Um—I don't know—but we shall see—we shall see." He did "see," and all the art loving world knows with what result.

Foster's success as a water colour painter was quite phenomenal. There was a mad rush for his work by collectors, and the prices went up as a natural consequence. Down at Witley in Surrey, where he subsequently built a most charming residence, he said to us, "When I sit down in that chair after breakfast it means at least twenty guineas before I get up again."

It was about this time that two celebrated[Pg 150] picture dealers met at the Charing Cross Railway Station: they had taken tickets for Witley, and both knowing they had the same object in view, travelled down together. On arriving at their destination they found only one fly at the station. A. made a rush for it, when B. stopped him, saying, "No, sir; this is my fly. I telegraphed for it from London, but I will be most happy to give you a lift to Fosters; only remember I am first." And he was "first," for he cleared out every scrap Foster had to dispose of, and A. had to go away empty handed.

On Fosters first visit to the Galleries after he had been elected a member of the "Old Water Colour," as it was then called, he was received in a most patronising manner by J. D. Harding, the then President of the Society, who complimented him, and dilated on the great advantage it would be to him being a member of the Society. He also begged him to appreciate this by a close study of nature, adding:

"If you do as I suggest, I have no doubt you will one day take a good place amongst the best of us."

It was Foster's invariable custom to make small water colour sketches for his more important black and white work; sometimes they were partly pencil, or pen and ink tinted. Some little time before he seriously took to water colour painting, a West End publisher frequently asked him for some of these sketches; so he gave his friend a "bundle" of original drawings, for which the publisher thanked him, saying that one day, when he could[Pg 151] afford to do so, he would have them bound in a nice book. It was after Foster won distinction as a painter that he said to us, "Those drawings would now represent a money value of some hundreds of pounds." His mother, a dear old Quaker Lady, who was present, said, "Thee mustn't mind that, Birket. Thee gave him the drawings and they are his, no matter what the value of them may be now."

"The Earth herself is adorning
This sweet May morning;
And the children are pulling on every side,
In a thousand valleys far and wide,
Fresh flowers."

"Intimations of Immortality."—Wordsworth.

By Birket Foster, R.W.S.

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

[Pg 152]

Birket Foster naturally spent much of his time in the country, often locating himself at farm houses, and being of a genial nature always became very friendly with the people. On one occasion an old farmer took the greatest interest in the work as it went on, in fact to the extent that the old boy seemed to feel that he had a sort of partnership in the production of the picture. Some time after this a friend of Foster's, who stayed at the same farm, found the old man most anxious to know all about Foster, but particularly as to how much money he had got for the picture "that we done down here." The friend said, "A hundred pounds at least." The old man was incredulous, in fact he would not believe it. When assured that such an amount was small for a picture by so clever and popular a man, he seemed unable to grasp it, saying, "Why, it would be like pickin' up sovereigns as if they was turnips or eggs; and if it was so, all I can say is, he must ha' sold it to a friend."

After the success of our volume Messrs. Routledge made a collection of engravings from Foster's drawings in their various books, for publication.

[Pg 153]

Here is an amusing letter from Foster on seeing this new work announced:

The Hill, Witley.
Surrey.

30th June 1873

Dear Dalziel

I have just returned from Italy, and write at once to say that I see no objection to Messrs. Routledge sending me a cheque for 50 guineas on to the first title Beauties of English Landscapes, by BF on second thought's I don't like Beauties—Try some other word.

Yours truly

Birket Foster

Messrs. Dalziel

[Pg 154]

When our book appeared the Press was unanimous in its praise. The Times said: "It would be difficult to do justice to these delineations of rural life and scenery without seeming to fall into extravagant praise"; the Academy spoke of "the inherent beauty of the designs"; the Art Journal of "the grace of composition and idyllic beauty"; the Saturday Review of the "subtile feeling for rustic character, and his sympathy for the poor; his curious love for unsophisticated company in sequestered places."

The public responded well, but not in large numbers—the days of large numbers had not then come.

But of all that was said about these pictures we most treasured a letter written to us by John Ruskin, which we regard as "an appreciation" from one of the best and most original writers on art matters of his period.

[Pg 155]

Grandfather Nursing a Sick Boy.

FROM "GOOD WORDS."

By John Pettie, R.A.

Published by Mr. Alexander Strahan.

[Pg 156]

As the work progressed we sent proofs to Foster for approval or correction, and according to his custom he wrote all his remarks on the margin of the India paper. These proofs were all preserved, and they show how completely he was satisfied with the care we had bestowed on the reproduction of his beautiful drawings.

It is a great pleasure to us to be able to state that these touched proofs are now the property of the Trustees of the British Museum, where doubtless they can be seen with John Ruskin's letter and some of Foster's own on application at the Print Room of that institute in Bloomsbury.

Birket Foster spent his latter years at Weybridge, where he died. Surrounded by many old and sorrowing friends, he was laid to his rest at Witley, his beautiful Surrey home.

Having already engraved several drawings for Good Words, we were, early in the year 1862, asked by Mr. Alexander Strahan to undertake the engraving and entire control of the illustrations for this journal, which was being edited by Dr. Norman Macleod, a Scottish minister of great repute and a Chaplain to the Queen. The offices were subsequently removed from Edinburgh to London, and shortly after the house added to its publications the Sunday Magazine, a journal devoted to "Sunday reading." This was edited by another celebrated Scottish divine, Dr. Thomas Guthrie, author of "The City: Its Sins and Sorrows," and other works of a kindred description. A great many of the illustrations for this periodical we also engraved.

This connection naturally enabled us to introduce works by the then most promising artists in black[Pg 157] and white, and by many other men who have since taken a high position in art.

Coach and Horses.

FROM "GOOD WORDS."

By A. Boyd Houghton, R.W.S.

Published by Mr. Alexander Strahan.

[Pg 158]

Alexander Strahan was the originator of the sixpenny illustrated magazine. His Good Words, considering the period of its advent, was equal to anything that has yet been done at that price, and, if measured by the distinguished artists and brilliant writers of whose work it was composed, it is a question whether any of the more recent magazines would equal it in actual merit.

Strahan is a man of great taste, both in literature and in art. We were indebted to him for introductions to a number of highly-gifted young Scotch artists. Amongst them were Orchardson, J. Pettie, MacWhirter, and Tom Graham, all of whom soon became famous and won honours of distinction. Pettie made several fine drawings for Good Words, and he and MacWhirter illustrated a beautiful little edition of Wordsworth's "Poems for Children," for which, by the way, Millais made a charming vignette. Strahan also introduced us to Robert Buchanan, who kindly helped us in some of our "Fine Art Books," concerning which we will speak later.

While engaged upon these publications it often happened that the drawings came into our hands so late that insufficient time was left for engraving. It might be that drawings came to us on a Saturday evening, and we were compelled to deliver the engraved blocks to the printers on the Monday morning. This could only be done by taking each wood-block into two, three, or four pieces, and by two, three, or four engravers working[Pg 159] all the night through upon them; for while any strain might be put upon the engraver, no excuse was permissible for keeping the printing machine waiting for a single hour. But under the circumstances, and by the best available means, we did our utmost with the drawings that were placed in our care for engraving purposes, though we are free to admit not at all times with that success we ever had so much at heart.

Kiss Me.

FROM "GOOD WORDS."

By A. Boyd Houghton, R.W.S.

Published by Mr. Alexander Strahan.

[Pg 160]

As examples of the many complimentary letters we received from artists whose drawings we engraved about this period, we may quote the following:

[Pg 161]

Sigurd.

FROM "GOOD WORDS."

By Sir E. Burne-Jones, Bart.

Published by Mr. Alexander Strahan.

[Pg 162]

Our early friend, the late F. R. Pickersgill, R.A., frequently wrote in high appreciation of the careful manner in which we had reproduced his drawings, but in deference to the wishes expressed by his family we refrain from publishing any of the letters.

When Mr. Alexander Strahan proposed that we should take the entire control of the art part of Good Words, we asked all our most distinguished artist friends to make drawings for the journal. Amongst others was Holman Hunt, who readily offered his co-operation, and also favoured us with the letter here given, which certainly foreshadowed the coming eminence of one who has made a lasting mark on the history of English art.

[Pg 163]

Summer Snow.

FROM "GOOD WORDS."

By Sir E. Burne-Jones, Bart.

Published by Mr. Alexander Strahan.

[Pg 164]

Hunt's letter of introduction was followed by a visit to Edward Jones (afterwards Sir Edward Burne-Jones, Bart.,) at his studio in Bloomsbury. The room was crowded with works of varied kinds, in every sort of method, all showing wonderful power of design, vivid imagination, and richness of colour. We were so fascinated with the man and his art that we at once asked him to paint a water colour drawing, size and subject to be left to him. About that time he had painted a picture, "A Harmony in Blue," for John Ruskin, and it was suggested that ours should be "A Harmony in Red." After some months the result was a most highly elaborated water colour, "The Annunciation." This, of course, was in his early manner, and of great beauty. Later on he made for us a Triptych illustrating the Birth of Christ, the first subject being the "Shepherds Guided by the Star," the centre the "Manger," and the third the "Wise Men from the East." The work was fine in conception and rich in colour. He also made a set of small water colour drawings of the "Seven Days," which were intended for reproduction in our contemplated Illustrated Bible, for which he also made a few drawings on the wood. His contributions to Good Words were very limited. At our request, however, he made slight water colour sketches from some of the few subjects he did do.

The two following letters show that at this time he was quite unknown to the general public, although he was appreciated in the highest degree by those who knew him and his work:

[Pg 165]

Worldly Wiseman.

FROM THE "PILGRIM'S PROGRESS."

By J. D. Watson, R.W.S.

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

[Pg 166]

The following letter alludes to his election into the Royal Society of Painters in Water Colours, one of the three pictures necessary to be sent in being "The Annunciation." This gave him a place for public exhibition.

[Pg 167]

Crusoe Visits the old Captain.

FROM "ROBINSON CRUSOE."

By J. D. Watson, R.W.S.

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

[Pg 168]

His connection with the Society was of short duration, owing to an unfortunate incident connected with an early exhibit of his. If we remember rightly, the picture was of a classic, semi-nude character, at which some "great lady" had felt very much shocked; in fact, to such an extent that she said it ought to be taken off the walls, as it was quite indecent. This the committee foolishly did, with the result that Burne-Jones at once resigned his membership—a course followed by his friend Sir F. W. Burton, at that time one of their most prominent members. It is only just to state that many years after, both men were urgently invited to return to the Society, and did so. But Burne-Jones never sent much of his work there, for fresh and larger fields had opened up to him at "The Grosvenor Gallery," followed by "The New," at both of which he was a great power. His work was always grand in subject, with the highest aim and noblest purpose. He was elected into the Royal Academy, but these other connections held him so close that he resigned his Associateship to make room for others to whom the honour would be of more importance.

The death of this highly gifted artist, who in himself combined all that is good, kindly, and generous, was universally regarded as a sad loss to the world of art.

Early in the Sixties we had been commissioned by Messrs. Routledge, Warne and Routledge to find an artist—"A new man, sir," as Mr. George Routledge expressed it, who could illustrate Bunyan's "Pilgrims Progress" with a fair amount of origin[Pg 169]ality, and give something better than had ever been done in this way before. This, we naturally felt, was a very difficult task, and fully realised the responsibility that would rest upon us for the success or failure of the work—the number of artists of great ability working in black and white at that time was very different to what it is now.

Abject Prayer. By J. D. Watson, R.W.S.

By permission of Mr. James Hogg. FROM "LONDON SOCIETY."

[Pg 170]

We had had many conversations on the subject as to the most fitting man for the work, when early in the year 1865 Mr. Alexander Strahan sent us two drawings to engrave for a short fairy tale he was about to publish in Good Words. There was novelty and freshness of style, as well as a purity of drawing, in the designs which attracted our attention, and at once suggested the idea that the artist might be competent to undertake the pictures for the "Bunyan." On enquiry we found he was John Dawson Watson, a young man living in Edinburgh, who subsequently became eminent as a black and white artist, as well as a painter in oil and water colours, and a prominent member of the Old Water Colour Society. We at once wrote to him about the "Pilgrim's Progress," asking if he would send us two drawings as examples of the manner in which he would propose to treat the subject. His reply came by return of post, not accompanied by drawings, but saying he was coming to London at once, and would call upon us on his arrival. This he did, and a very pleasant interview terminated by our placing in his hands the commission to do one hundred drawings for this work.

[Pg 171]

"To seek the wanderer, forth himself doth come
And take him in his arms, and bear him home.
So in this life, this grove of Ignorance,
As to my homeward I myself advance,
Sometimes aright, and sometimes wrong I go,
Sometimes my pace is speedy, sometimes slow."

"Life's Journey."—George Wither.

FROM "ENGLISH SACRED POETRY."

By Frederick Sandys.

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

[Pg 172]

It is perhaps hardly necessary here to state how perfectly our confidence in J. D. Watson's ability was indorsed, not only by the publishers, but by the public voice and the pen of the critics; this edition of Bunyan's immortal work being, in a pecuniary sense, among the most successful of the many Fine Art Books issued by the Messrs. Routledge. Immediately on the publication and instant success of this book, we were instructed to secure Watson's services in illustrating De Foe's "Robinson Crusoe" with a like number of pictures. This he readily undertook to do, and, as a series of drawings in black and white, they will certainly compare favourably with any work of the kind this country has produced.

After the "Pilgrim's Progress" and "Robinson Crusoe" perhaps there is no other work where the versatility of his power is so strongly shown as in "English Sacred Poetry," to which book he was a very large contributor, having no less than ten drawings to "Gray's Elegy in a Churchyard," and twenty or more to other poems—"Time and the Year," and "Scene in a Scottish Cottage" being among the best.

On one occasion Watson happened to be at our offices when Birket Foster came in. They had never met before, and on being introduced, seemed mutually pleased to make each other's acquaintance, and left together. This acquaintance ripened into a life-long friendship, Birket Foster marrying Watson's sister.

[Pg 173]

"'My father and my mother
And my sisters four—
Their beds are made in swelling turf,
Fronting the western door.'

"'Child, if thou speak to them,
They will not answer thee;
They are deep down in the earth—
Thy face they cannot see.'"

"The Little Mourner."—Dean Alford.

FROM "ENGLISH SACRED POETRY."

By Frederick Sandys.

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

[Pg 174]

Watson was a kind-hearted, liberal-minded man, and gifted in many ways outside his art. In the early days of our connection with him he often spoke of what he called his "fatal facility," and no doubt that gift told to his detriment. His art was no trouble to him; and this was the root of a certain indolence shown in his later productions which, generally speaking, were far inferior to what might have been expected from his natural powers—though his work was at all times full of tender refinement, beauty and sympathetic feeling.

He did many very clever drawings for the periodicals. One of his finest, perhaps, was for London Society, the subject being the figure of a man on his knees in the attitude of "Abject Prayer."

During the sudden rage that sprung up for water colour drawings his work was much sought after by the dealers. We remember him on one occasion speaking of this eagerness for his pictures, and saying:

"I believe if I were to spit upon a piece of paper and smear it over with my hand they would declare it beautiful, and have a scramble who was to buy it."

On Watson coming to London our connection developed into close social friendship. We had a great liking for his work outside his black and white. The first picture we bought from him was off the walls of the Royal Academy, "A Pet Goat," a small but most highly finished work. He did several water colour portraits of members of our family, and some fine heads, by point work, in sepia-coloured inks. We also purchased several[Pg 175] small water colour drawings from him which he made to be reproduced in colour.

Cleopatra.

FROM THE "CORNHILL MAGAZINE."

By Frederick Sandys.

By permission of Messrs. Smith, Elder & Co.

[Pg 176]

Watson had great dramatic taste; his connection with Birket Foster, and the frequent visits to his big house, "The Hill," at Witley, in association with Fred Walker and two or three other kindred spirits, gave him plenty of opportunity for exercising his favourite hobby. In the plays they got up he was everything, leading business, scene painter, costumier, stage and general manager. He had a perfect knowledge of costume—used to cut out the dresses, and, with the assistance of his wife and sister, did all the "tailoring." These plays were delightful and a joy to all who had the good fortune to witness them.

"English Sacred Poetry" gave an opportunity for beautiful pictures, and in the work of the various artists engaged on it there seems to be a greater unity of feeling than is generally the case where the art is mixed. At the same time, perhaps there is no stronger contrast in method than that which exists between the works of Holman Hunt and Frederick Sandys: for instance, Holman Hunt's beautiful illustration to Dean Trench's pathetic verses, "The Lent Jewels" (which we made the frontispiece to the volume), and the two very powerful drawings, "Life's Journey" and "The Little Mourner," by Frederick Sandys.

Of the many high class drawings which appeared in the Cornhill Magazine, there is no one work more remarkable than that of "Cleopatra," by[Pg 177] Frederick Sandys, which for dignity and grandeur of design must always be regarded as a fine specimen of that artist's work.

"What question can be here? Your own true heart
Must needs advise you of the only part;
That may be claimed again which was but lent,
And should be yielded with no discontent;
Nor surely can we find herein a wrong,
That it was left us to enjoy so long."

"The Lent Jewels."—Richard Chevening Trench.

FROM "ENGLISH SACRED POETRY."

By Holman Hunt.

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

[Pg 178]

Stacy Marks also gave us some of the best drawings he ever made for the wood engraver—notably "A Quiet Mind," "The Ring," and "The Two Weavers." From Harrison Weir we had a set of four drawings, "The Only One." Sir John Gilbert's "Landing of the Primrose" is a fine example, but not so good as his set of illustrations to "A Hymn." There is a grand picture of a storm at sea, "The Watching of Providence," by G. H. Andrews, and Charles Keene's illustration to "Contentment" is a very strong bit of work.

We engraved many of Keene's early drawings and were close friends, working together constantly at the Life Schools in Clipstone Street, next door to which he had his queer little box of a room, where for a long time he did all his work. It was a strange mass of scraps, sketches, studies; bits of costumes, armour, and "all sorts" of oddments in the way of properties. It was his custom to make several studies for each figure he drew, and many of them were pinned to the dilapidated paper on the walls, helping to make up the somewhat picturesque appearance of the place. We were very anxious to produce some large and important work with him, and offered him a commission to do an elaborately illustrated edition of "Don Quixote," one of the conditions being that he should visit Spain, with the view of collecting new material for the purpose. He liked the subject, and would have[Pg 179] undertaken it, but mainly on the ground that he could not bind himself to do any important work within a fixed time, he finally declined our offer. He felt that his best efforts were due to Punch, but even with the proprietors of that journal he objected to be put on any fixed agreement, like Tenniel, Leech, Du Maurier, and others; for, he said, it would make him feel that he must produce a given amount of work in a given time. "No," he said, "I prefer to send in my drawings as I finish them, whatever they may be, and be paid for the work I have done."

"There sits a lovely maiden,
The ocean murmuring nigh,
She throws the hook and watches;
The fishes pass it by.

"A ring with a red jewel
Is sparkling on her hand;
Upon the hook she binds it,
And flings it from the land."

"A Northern Legend."—W. Cullen Bryant.

By Edward Dalziel.

Published by Messrs. D. Appleton & Co., New York.

[Pg 180]

We need hardly say it was a disappointment to us. This was before the "Don Quixote" of Gustave Doré had been given to the world; and we fancy that Art is the poorer by Charles Keene not considering himself free to accept our commission.

Messrs. D. Appleton, of New York, requested us to provide a set of illustrations to the Poetical Works of William Cullen Bryant. They wished for a large number by Birket Foster, who at that time was at the very height of his popularity for black and white work. Out of something like one hundred pictures he gave us thirty-six, all of which are beautiful examples; many of them exquisite little vignettes. William Harvey supplied some graceful pictures; Sir John Tenniel, J. R. Clayton, and F. R. Pickersgill were responsible for several of the figure subjects; while Edward Duncan drew some very delicate little sea pieces.

[Pg 181]

"Once this soft turf, this rivulet sands,
Were trampled by a hurrying crowd,
And fiery hearts, and armed hands,
Encountered in the battle cloud.
      *       *       *       *       *       *       *
"Now all is calm, and fresh and still,
Alone the chirp of flitting bird,
And talk of children on the hill,
And bell of wandering kine are heard."

"The Battle-field."—W. Cullen Bryant.

By Edward Dalziel.

Published by Messrs. D. Appleton & Co., New York.

[Pg 182]

There are many of our own drawings in this book, of which we make mention—"The Battle-field"; "An Indian Girl's Lament"; "Life"; "A Northern Legend"; "The Lady of Castle Windeck"; and "An Evening Reverie."

Harrison Weir sent us some good pictures of animals, notably "The Maiden's Sorrow." Weir, one of our earliest connections, is a gifted and brilliant conversationalist, brimful of anecdote—humorous and otherwise, a genial companion and an old friend.

He is a man of many parts: poet, painter, draughtsman, and naturalist; and how much that word "naturalist" means in the knowledge that fitted him for the varied branches of art which he encompassed in his numerous works! Not the least amongst them being the many children's books he created.

One of the most beautiful books ever entrusted to our care, in which the pictures were to be by various artists, was the "Poems of William Wordsworth." We feel, when looking at the book now, after a lapse of forty years, how happy we were in having the co-operation of such very suitable artists as Birket Foster, Sir John Gilbert, and Joseph Wolf.

[Pg 183]

"There, I think, on that lonely grave
Violets spring, in the soft May shower,
There, in the Summer breezes, wave
Crimson phlox and narcissus flower.

"There the turtles alight, and there
Feeds with her fawn the timid doe;
There, when the Winter woods are bare,
Walks the wolf on the crackling snow."

"The Maiden's Sorrow."—W. Cullen Bryant.

By Harrison Weir.

Published by Messrs. D. Appleton & Co., New York.

[Pg 184]

Wolf came of a family of agriculturists. Bred amid field, woodland and hedgerow, he gathered his love of all things beautiful, animate and inanimate, direct from Nature. From his earliest boyhood he had an intense love of birds, and so strong was his feeling in that direction that he never lost a chance of dissecting and thoroughly making himself master of the anatomy of the specimen under his immediate observation. In maturer life it was not enough for him to give a surface resemblance to a bird; he was one of the earnest men who must go deep down to the very root of his subject. Whatever eminence he gained as an all-round naturalist, it is by his bird pictures that he will always stand out the more prominent.

As a book illustrator he became so popular that no collection of varied art seemed complete without one or more of his exquisitely graceful pictures.

He was a great lover of music, and would often dream away the idle hours, as he called them, on his favourite instrument, the zither; and a propos, surely there was much sweet and even grand music in his groups of birds, such as "The rooks sat high" and "The mother kite watching and guarding her nest."

In our long connection with the firm of Thomas Nelson & Sons, of Edinburgh, we made a large number of drawings and did much engraving for their books. The work was mostly of an instructive and amusing kind for young people. Among the various artists employed upon their publications, Keeley Halswell, who at that time resided in Edinburgh, did a great many drawings. The Messrs. Nelson had an art department in connection with their vast establishment. In this branch William Small was a pupil; and there he illustrated many of their story[Pg 185] books before he came to London to take a first place amongst the most distinguished artists in black and white. Small became an important contributor to the Graphic in its early days, and made many drawings for Good Words and other magazines of Strahan's. He also made a few clever drawings for Buchanan's "North Coast Poems."

"The careless words had scarcely
Time from his lips to fall,
When the Lady of Castle Windeck
Came round the ivy wall.

"He saw the glorious maiden
In her snow-white drapery stand,
A bunch of keys at her girdle,
The beaker high in her hand."

"The Lady of Castle Windeck."—W. Cullen Bryant.

By Edward Dalziel.

Published by Messrs. D. Appleton & Co., New York.

[Pg 186]

We saw much of Mr. William Nelson, the eldest brother, during his visits to London, which were by no means infrequent. He was a man with a large, warm heart, and kindly, genial disposition, and though holding broad views in most matters, he (like the majority of his countrymen in the last generation) looked for many years with the greatest aversion on all things theatrical, and from his early training considered "the door of the theatre as the gate to destruction." At one of his quiet dinner parties Madame Antoinette Stirling and her husband were present, and the talk naturally turned on music and the drama, when he related the following as his first introduction to theatrical entertainments:

"On one occasion I was, very reluctantly, prevailed upon to go to the theatre to see the comic opera, Les Cloches de Corneville. At first I was indifferent to what was going on, but as the play progressed my interest increased so much that at the end I came away delighted at what I had seen, and the next morning, turning the matter over, I found myself none the worse, either bodily or mentally, for having been at the play. Indeed, the performance gave me so much pleasure, that I resolved to repeat the indulgence on every possible opportunity; but that, of course, could not be done in Edinburgh. Feeling that I have lost a great deal of intellectual enjoyment, I make a point of going to a theatre on every disengaged evening I have when in London."

[Pg 187]

"In the mid-water, moving very slowly,
With measured stroke of dripping oars, a boat
Appeared out of the fading mist of the morning."

"The Exiles of Oona."—Robert Buchanan.

By Thomas Dalziel.

By permission of Mr. John Hogg.

[Pg 188]

When James Hogg and Sons removed their publishing house from Edinburgh to London we became intimately connected with them. James, the father, was associated with many of Scotland's best and noblest writers: De Quincey was a friend and companion, also Professor Wilson (Christopher North), and Dr. Brown, the distinguished author of "Rab and his Friends."

The two clever sons, James and John, were both most resourceful men, full of energy and enterprise. James was one of the first to follow the example of the Cornhill by starting a Shilling Illustrated Magazine, London Society, which he successfully conducted for many years. He gave examples of Sir John Millais, P.R.A.; Fred Walker, A.R.A.; John Pettie, R.A.; Tom Graham; Gordon Thomson, and J. D. Watson. Amongst the lady artists were Florence and Adelaide Claxton, whose style of work well suited the nature of the publication. The Christmas Number of London Society held a prominent position for many years.

[Pg 189]

"To seek their bread from public charity,
They and their wives and children—happier far
Could they have lived as do the little birds
That peck along the hedges, or the kite
That makes its dwelling on the mountain rocks!"

"The Deserted Cottage."—Wordsworth.

By Joseph Wolf.

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

[Pg 190]

John Hogg, the younger brother, while publishing many books of a useful and instructive high-class character, also conducted the Churchman's Family Magazine; and when amongst the artists we find the names of Frederick Sandys, G. J. Pinwell, and others, evidence of his capability for the position is afforded. John Hogg is an earnest Freemason, and closely identified with the publications of the craft.

Nursery Rhymes! what delightful subjects they give for pictures, and how often we have had the pleasure of working on them. The first collection we made is very fully illustrated by William McConnell, "a comic artist" of some repute in his day. He was the close friend of the Brothers Brough and of George Augustus Sala, for whom he made a set of elaborate drawings to illustrate "Twice Round the Clock." McConnell was a most prolific artist.

Our next essay on the same subject was a commission from the Routledges, and was issued as "Our Favourite Nursery Rhymes." This was altogether much more important from an art point, many of the best draughtsmen of the time being engaged upon it. J. B. Zwecker made a capital set of drawings illustrating "Old Mother Hubbard"; while J. A. Pasquier, a very clever artist in black and white, and a skilful painter in water colours, contributed several appropriate designs.

We well remember presenting a copy of this volume to Professor Sir Richard Owen, the great naturalist. He said what enjoyment it had given to him: it was like meeting the friends of his childhood. The grand old man's face really beamed with delight as he, in his sweet, quiet voice, said,[Pg 191] "They have not only pleased me, but I will have the further pleasure of showing all my young friends these dear old Nursery Rhymes and Jingles."

"He swells his lifted chest and backward flings
His bridling neck beneath his towering wings;
The female with a meeker charm succeeds,
And her brown little ones around her leads,
Nibbling the water-lilies as they pass."

"An Evening Walk."—Wordsworth.

By Joseph Wolf.

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

[Pg 192]

In conjunction with Messrs. Novello, Ewer & Co. we produced "Our National Nursery Rhymes." The rhymes were set to music by J. W. Elliot, and the pictures were of an important character, A. B. Houghton, G. J. Pinwell, Stacy Marks and others employed thereon being all at their best. As well as many of our own drawings, there were several landscape and rustic pictures by E. G. Dalziel in the collection.

We produced the pictures for two other books for the same firm: "The Sunlight of Song," being a charming collection of sweet songs set to music, and "Christmas Carols." Both were fully illustrated by popular artists. Amongst those for the "Carols" were many most refined and appropriate drawings by Arthur Hughes, who was one of the most earnest of the pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, and who, independent of his painting, did a large amount of black and white work. We are doubtful whether he made any drawings for "The Germ." Our first connection with him was for "The Music Master, and other Poems," by William Allingham, for which he did two drawings; one, a fairy moonlight subject, being exquisitely beautiful. He did much fine work for Good Words, and many fanciful fairy subjects for Dr. George Macdonald's stories, which appeared in Good Words for the Young, amongst which were "On the Back of the North Wind" and "Chamber Dramas."

CHAPTER V.

Fred Walker often said that he wanted to come to us as a pupil, but that we would not have him. When he left the North London Collegiate School, where he was educated, he came to ask our advice as to the method of drawing on wood, and as to the chances of earning money as an illustrator. We advised him to begin by copying, in pen and ink, pictures from the Illustrated London News and other illustrated periodicals, specially recommending the works of John Gilbert and Birket Foster as the best models for style and manner.

He then went to J. W. Whymper, who at that time took pupils to learn the art of drawing on wood. There he studied and copied the works we had recommended, and so quickly acquired the manner of John Gilbert that when he made designs, so close was his imitation that his drawings might easily have been taken for Gilbert's own work. But his own individuality soon began to assert itself, and he quickly developed into the great master he was. During this period he occasionally came to us for advice on various subjects, and we gave him commissions on some boys' books for Routledge and other publishers, including "Hard Times" and "Reprinted Pieces," by Charles Dickens.

On sending Dickens a set of finished proofs[Pg 194] of the latter, we received the following letter in reply:

Walker made many drawings for Good Words. One struck us as being so exceedingly beautiful that we asked him to make us a water colour drawing from it, which he did; and, apart from its being rather crude in colour, it is a charming work, called "A Dinner in the Fields"—a group of rustic children. This, we believe, was his first commission for a picture. His early paintings were not fine in colour. He did not evince much capacity in this direction until he went down to West Somerset, and worked side by side with his friend, J. W. North, whose influence, aided by the lovely colour of the district, brought about a marvellous improvement in both his tone and mode.

Walker was of a very excitable nature, and with his rapidly growing power and popularity, soon got a high sense of his own importance. One day he came to us in an angry, irritated state, saying he had just finished a large water colour drawing that a well-known dealer had promised to come and see, but had failed to do so. "I want, when he comes to-day, to be able to say, 'That picture is sold.' Can you help me in this humiliating[Pg 195] position?" After a few words of consultation, we said, "Yes, we will give you a hundred guineas for it." The picture was not a good example either in subject or treatment. It was a social scene, called "Strange Faces," but had a special interest in the fact that William Harvey, whom we had introduced to Walker, stood as model for the principal figure.

"God knows all he does for the poor baby; how cheerfully he carries him in his arms when he himself is weak and ill; how he feeds him when he himself is griped with want; how he folds his ragged jacket round him, lays his little worn face with a woman's tenderness upon his sun-burnt breast."

"The Long Voyage."—Charles Dickens.

FROM "REPRINTED PIECES."

By Frederick Walker, A.R.A., R.W.S.

By permission of Messrs. Chapman & Hall.

[Pg 196]

His first picture in oil, exhibited in the Royal Academy, was done from his drawing, "A Woman in the Snow," published in Good Words, and engraved by us.

About this time we commissioned him to make thirty drawings on wood the same size as those of Birket Foster's "Pictures of English Landscape." These he willingly undertook, and worked at earnestly; but the great demand for his pictures increased so rapidly that the drawings came less and less frequently, and at last the scheme fell through, after his having given us some eight or ten. All of these were perfect works of their class, and it would have made a grand book had it been completed. Later, we published the engravings with those of other artists, mostly by G. J. Pinwell and J. W. North, first in "A Round of Days" and "Home Affections," and afterwards in an India paper edition, as "Pictures of English Rustic Life," by Frederick Walker, A.R.A., and G. J. Pinwell, R.W.S. One of the designs we had a small water colour drawing of, "Come in out of the Rain"; also one of "Strange Faces," which, being in his later manner, was far better than the original picture.

[Pg 197]

"In the midsummer holidays some of our fellows, who lived within walking distance, used to come back and climb the trees outside the playground wall on purpose to look at Old Cheeseman reading there by himself. He was always as mild as the tea—and that's pretty mild, I should hope! So when they whistled to him, he looked up and nodded; and when they said, 'Hello, Old Cheeseman! what have you had for dinner?' he said 'Boiled mutton.'"

"The Schoolboy's Story."—Charles Dickens.

FROM "REPRINTED PIECES."

By Frederick Walker, A.R.A., R.W.S.

By permission of Messrs. Chapman & Hall.

[Pg 198]

Of these rustic drawings, fortunately, through the aid of photography, several of the originals were saved, some of which are at Kensington Museum, where the beautiful manipulation of the work may be studied—the material and method; the mixture of pencil, point work, in some instances ink, and wash; the delicate colour of the wood, and the skilful use of body colour (Chinese white), all combining to bring about a most beautiful result.

Walker had a fine sense of humour, which was shown in the few drawings he did for Punch.

At a social gathering the commencement of a new story by Miss Muloch was humorously discussed. The opening chapter dwelt much on early childhood. The term, "Sacred Blue Pinafore," being used frequently so tickled Walker's fancy that he there and then made a rough sketch in blue chalk, which we here reproduce. The same evening he made the portrait sketch of his friend, W. P. Burton, a clever but eccentric character, who was present at the time.

Fred Walker's art culminated in the production of his "Harbour of Refuge," one of the greatest English pictures for beauty, pathos, and grandeur ever painted. He said one day to a friend, "look at that little old man sitting against the distant tree: that is a portrait of myself when I get to be as old as he."

We considered ourselves fortunate in securing a few of his water colour paintings. Independent of those already referred to, we may mention "Philip in Church," which was the first picture that brought him into prominent notice, and has[Pg 199] always been considered a thoroughly representative work. It certainly helped to secure his election into the Old Water Colour Society.

A Woman in the Snow.

FROM "GOOD WORDS."

By Frederick Walker, A.R.A., R.W.S.

Published by Mr. Alexander Strahan.

[Pg 200]

"O Sacred Blue Pinafore."

Sketch by Frederick Walker, A.R.A., R.W.S.

A Fancy Portrait Sketch of W. P. Burton.

By Frederick Walker, A.R.A., R.W.S.

[Pg 201]

3. St. Petersburgh Place
Bayswater.

Dec 22. 1863

Dear Mr Dalziel

Accept my apologies for not having before answered your reply.

The picture shall be yours & I am going at it hard as possible—Millais has just left me much comforted both as to that & the photos of your blocks, he made some suggestions however for Philip which will be an improvement—

You will I dare say be glad to hear (in confidence) that I intend becoming a candidate for the Old Water Color Soc^y.—chiefly on the advice of certain [Pg 202] of its members, and should like Philip as the specimen.

This I particularly wish kept snug at present. Millais's advice is strongly in its favor.

I shall be glad to hear from you. I perhaps need not say that something toward the plum-pudding will gladden the heart of

Yours very sincerely
Fred. Walker

E. Dalziel Esq.

Years after, Professor von Herkomer produced a very charming etching of this picture, the same size as the original.

Gilbert Dalziel, son of Edward Dalziel, sat to Walker for the boy in "Philip in Church." Walker took a great fancy to him, and they had many games together. The following is a letter from[Pg 203] him to his youthful model, which will give an idea of the nature of their friendship:

7 Charles St
Manchester Square
Feb. 11 1862

My dear Sir

I begg to enklose the Top as i prom-missed and 1 or too Jew-Jabes which You will kindley giv to youre sister Miss Grace (with mi best compleymints) only on the conditchion that She dont gitt rid of em in less then 5 minites Hopping you are wel as it leves me at preashunt

I remain Dear Sur
Your es

Respketfuly
Fred^k. Walker

G. Dalziel Esquire

[Pg 204]

For the first two years after the picture was finished it was seldom in our possession for more than a week or two at any one time, it being in frequent request, either for exhibition in the provinces or abroad; and not infrequently in Walker's own studio, when he wished to show it to his friends.

With reference to the following letter from Mr. Allen E. Everet, containing an application from the Birmingham Society of Artists that the picture might be exhibited at their rooms, we were given to understand that the Society awarded Walker their gold medal for the best water colour picture of the year. A like honour was bestowed by the Council of the Paris International Exhibition of 1865; in Dublin also, where it was on view, it was awarded a prize.[18]

Perhaps it is hardly necessary to say here that, with the exception of the first two, Walker made the entire series of illustrations to Thackeray's novel of "Philip; his way through the World," or that this picture is an elaborately finished painting from one of these designs. Walker held this gifted author in very high esteem.

In a note addressed to us, dated December 28th, 1863, we find the following passage:

Our first knowledge of Professor Hubert von Herkomer, R.A., came to us in the form of a parcel, containing two or three drawings, through the post from Southampton. They were not very remarkable, but had sufficient skill to justify us in using his work. His development was wonderful, showing a facility of design and artistic taste far above the average. But in spite of his all-round cleverness he had severe struggles in the early days. He always had dramatic taste, and he told us that it was a chance whether he persisted in his painting or went on the stage.[Pg 206] He is a well-trained musician—a composer as well as an executant; and one time thought of joining a Christy's Minstrel troupe. In fact, he offered himself as "bones," but there was "no vacancy," so he continued drawing and painting, getting decorative work to do at South Kensington Museum, where he did some stencilling on a ceiling, under conditions explained in the following letter:

All this while he was gaining power, and whenever he had the good fortune to sell a picture he immediately "speculated" to the extent of going abroad for fresh study and experience.

The first picture of any importance that he exhibited in London was a large water colour—"Harvesters"—at the Dudley Gallery. It was a very clever work and fresh in style. We advised Mr. Strahan to buy it, which he did for forty pounds. Herkomer also made a full page drawing on wood from this picture for Good Words. On this success he went to Treport. It was at the time of the Franco-Prussian War; and here he[Pg 207] painted a market scene called "Reading the News," which news was evidently adverse to the French. The groups of angry women and gloomy men tell the tale very clearly. When the people got to know he was of German origin, so great was their anger and hatred towards him that he was obliged to beat a speedy retreat for England; but not before he had finished a very clever and characteristic picture, which, with the exception of the colour, holds its own with much of his later work. Upon this he was invited to join the Royal Institute, from which he retired, and later in life became a member of the Royal Water Colour Society.

We were fortunate enough to become the owners of the picture immediately on his return.

It was after one of his successful visits to Bavaria that he built a small wooden studio in the back garden of his house in Smith Street, Chelsea, and there painted, in 1875, his large oil picture, "The Last Muster," a production that will always rank as one of the finest English works. Soon after this he was elected an Associate, and in due course a full Member of the Royal Academy of Arts, as well as receiving several Continental decorations. Subsequently he succeeded John Ruskin as Professor of Painting at Christ College, Oxford. But all this is too well known to be dwelt upon here. Our own personal experience of Herkomer is that he is as good and generous as he is clever, and that whatever service we were able to render him in the past has been recognised by him over and over again.

[Pg 208]

"This is a sweet place, ain't it? a lovely spot? and I wonder if they'd give two poor, foot-sore travellers, like me and you, a drop of fresh water out of such a pretty, genteel crib? We'd take it wery kind on 'em, wouldn't us? wery kind, upon my word, us would."

"Tramps."—Charles Dickens.

FROM "THE UNCOMMERCIAL TRAVELLER."

By G. J. Pinwell, R.W.S.

By permission of Messrs. Chapman & Hall.

[Pg 209]

"They looked like Time and his wife. There was but the one rake between them, and they both had hold of it in a pastorally-looking manner; and there was hay on the old woman's black bonnet, as if the old man had been playful."

"City Churchyards."—Charles Dickens.

FROM "THE UNCOMMERCIAL TRAVELLER."

By G. J. Pinwell, R.W.S.

By permission of Messrs. Chapman & Hall.

[Pg 210]

When G. J. Pinwell first called on us he brought a small water colour drawing with him. The subject was a lady of the "Old Ballad" style, with a decided sense of beauty in it, and in colour looked as if he had been studying the work of Holman Hunt. We recognised at once his cleverness, and that study and practice only were required to develop his great ability.

We first gave him some work on Fun, as is shown by this letter from him:

We also gave him, and obtained for him, work of the most varied kind, such as sets of illustrations for boys' books. He soon became a regular contributor to Good Words, and in its pages over one hundred of his drawings appeared. From several of them he painted water colour drawings, perhaps the most important being a highly finished work: "Landlord and Tenant," which shows his appreciation of character in the landlord, and of deep pathos in the fine group of the poor woman and her children. This picture was painted expressly for us and was never exhibited.

[Pg 211]

The Sisters.

PINWELL'S FIRST HIGHLY FINISHED PICTURE.

Reduced from an Engraving made for the "Graphic" by the Brothers Dalziel.

By permission of the Proprietors.

[Pg 212]

He made a few drawings for "Dalziel's Arabian Nights," but did not go far, as we had placed entirely in his hands our edition of "Goldsmith's Works," for which he made a wonderful set of drawings considering the short time allowed for their production. He, however, lost nothing in force of design or in excellence, the manipulation only being a little less painstaking but more suitable for rendering in the reproductions.

Pinwell always objected to working against time: he held that if a thing was worth doing at all it must be done at his best. He often said that "money was not enough for him."

Amongst his most careful and finished work are the exquisite rustic pictures which we issued in "A Round of Days" and "Wayside Posies," also those to illustrate "Poems by Jean Ingelow," notably the sets for "The High Tide" and "Winstanly." He also did some strong character work for Robert Buchanan's "North Coast and Other Poems," some of a classic and romantic kind for his "Ballad Stories of the Affections," and a small set of illustrations to Charles Dickens' "Uncommercial Traveller." The pictures of "Old Time and His Wife," and "The Tramps," were amongst the best, and for these we gave him a commission to paint water colour drawings, and very exquisite examples they are.

[Pg 213]

"That's where it lies! We get no good by asking questions, neighbour;
Parsons are sent to watch our souls while we are hard at labour.
This world needs help to get along, for men feed one another;
And what do we pay parsons for, if not to manage t'other?"

"An English Eclogue."—Robert Buchanan.

By G. J. Pinwell, R.W.S.

By permission of Mr. John Hogg.

[Pg 214]

When Pinwell was a little boy a lady asked his mother what she intended bringing him up to. She said she did not know, but that he was so fond of drawing she thought he would like to be an artist. "Oh," said the lady, "do not let him be that, for none but the best ever make any money." "But," said Mrs. Pinwell, "why may not my George be one of the best?" The dear old lady, of whom Pinwell always spoke with reverent affection, did not live to see that he was "one of the best"—aye, of the very best—of that wonderful group of young men with whom he was associated; for he possessed some of the finest and highest qualities in a supreme degree; his sense of beauty, his fine colour, his grace of design, his poetic art, being equalled only by his force of character. In much of his work there is a tinge of sadness; but as a rule, and in his water colours particularly, beauty dominates everything.

Outside our close connection with him as an illustrator, our interest in him as a painter was constant from the commencement up to the day of his death—owning his first finished picture and his last, on which he worked the day before he died. His first he called "The Sisters"; his second, a very highly finished picture, was "The Rats," from "The Pied Piper of Hamelin." While this was on the easel we commissioned him for two others from the same poem, "The Children," and "The Piper Bargaining with the Burghers in the Market Place." The latter was never done. "The Children" we lent to the Paris Art Exhibition, where it was hung under a glass roof and "baked" until the colour was all taken out of it, to the extent that he said he would repaint it; but after he had gone so far with the replica he found it so hard a task that he set to work on the first picture, the modelling all being perfect, and restored the colour to its original beauty.

[Pg 215]

"'Say it again,' cried little Jim; and when,
To please his heart, I said the song again,
In through the smoky glass the setting sun
Gleamed sickly; and the day was nearly done."

"The Ballad Maker."—Robert Buchanan.

By G. J. Pinwell, R.W.S.

By permission of Mr. John Hogg.

[Pg 216]

86 Adelaide. Rd

Dear Dalziel

I am very glad you like the Old Clock—and pleased that it will go in such good company, as to the money I will take it as I want it

£150

Yours very
truly
S T Pinwell

[Pg 217]

"Two young ladies, richly dressed, whom he introduced as women of very great distinction, and famous, from Town."

"The Vicar of Wakefield."

FROM "DALZIEL'S GOLDSMITH."

By G. J. Pinwell, R.W.S.

By permission of Messrs. Ward & Lock.

[Pg 218]

One of the last pictures we purchased from Pinwell was "The Old Clock," it being a repeat of one of the rustic drawings he made for us.

At the time of his death we had acquired a great number of his finished works, both large and small. At the sale of the remainder of his works at Christie's we purchased about one third of the collection. Amongst them were two for which he had been commissioned by us—one, a repeat of "The Elixir of Love," smaller than the original, and, although unfinished, much the finer work of the two; the other a water colour repeat of an oil painting of "Vanity Fair," which he had in progress.

Two or three other unfinished efforts in oil, "The Earl of Quarter Deck," "Sally in Our Alley," and "The New Slipper," all go to show that he was a perfect master of the material; and had he lived to complete any of these, his election into the Academy would have been assured.

Pinwell had not the advantage of high culture early in life, but he was a true gentleman; though sometimes rough and brusque in manner, which showed most strongly when he came across or heard of any act of petty meanness, in all the ordinary ways of life he was good-natured, genial and sociable, brimful of tenderness, of a vivid imagination, and generous to a degree. His life was a truly domestic one, spending most of his time at home with a charming wife and a few chosen friends, amongst whom, perhaps, E. G. Dalziel and A. B. Houghton were the closest and most constant. He was the soul of good fellowship,[Pg 219] perfectly human, and sympathetic in the highest degree. Sir John Millais, speaking of him, summed him up in his own emphatic way, saying, "no man could produce work like his who was not a man of exquisite taste and refined poetic feeling."

"Whenever I approached a peasant's house towards nightfall, I played one of my most merry tunes, and this procured me not only a lodging, but substance for the next day."

"The Vicar of Wakefield."

FROM "DALZIEL'S GOLDSMITH."

By G. J. Pinwell, R.W.S.

By permission of Messrs. Ward & Lock.

[Pg 220]

"Then, with a strange trouble in her eyes, Meg Blane
Crept swiftly back into her hut again."

"Meg Blane."—Robert Buchanan.

By A. Boyd Houghton, R.W.S.

By permission of Mr. John Hogg.

Pinwell had all his life been in delicate health, and succumbed to a lung trouble at an early age.

A. Boyd Houghton was perhaps one of the most versatile of the black and white draughtsmen of our time. Amongst his early friends he was[Pg 221] called "The Young Genius," and his first efforts in art showed that he well deserved that appellation. He did not require the model set before him—to look at his subject was sufficient. It was like a "snap-shot" fixed on the brain, and memory was enough for his purpose. He had a vivid fancy, and was brimming over with the finest qualities of the designer's art. Our connection with him was a long and very close one. He was a most delightful companion—his fine sense of humour was coupled with a pleasant tinge of satire, such as comes from a man who knows the world in its various phases of life, but always cultured and refined.

"And, ah! she trembled, fluttering and panting,
While on my knees I fell."

'"The Saint's Story."—Robert Buchanan.

By A. Boyd Houghton, R.W.S.

By permission of Mr. John Hogg.

[Pg 222]

One of his characteristics was his great love of children. It was a pleasure to him to get a party of young people together, and go off to the fields to romp and play all sorts of games and antics. His taste in that way is fully shown in the set of some thirty or more drawings he made for us of "Child Life," which we published, through Routledge, as "Home Thoughts." But he made other pictures of the little ones: "Kiss Me," done for Good Words, is an excellent example.

He had special advantages to assist him in his work on our edition of "The Arabian Nights." He was born in India. His father, his brothers, and many relatives were Indian army men, who had fine collections of articles of virtu, curios, costumes, and every sort of thing invaluable for the illustrators purposes, much of which he placed at the disposal of Thomas Dalziel, thus enabling both to work with uniformity in all necessary details.

[Pg 223]

The Three Blind Men Watched by the Thief.

FROM "DALZIEL'S ARABIAN NIGHTS."

By A. Boyd Houghton, R.W.S.

By permission of Messrs. Ward & Lock.

[Pg 224] There is no doubt that these "Arabian Nights" drawings of Houghton's are amongst the best work in black and white of the period; but strange as it may appear, publishers did not take willingly to his art. Alexander Strahan was almost the only one who fully appreciated his great ability. He used his drawings largely in his various magazines and also bought several of his pictures—one, a large oil, "Sheik Hamel," a truly grand picture. We had a water colour of the same subject, which by many was considered the finer work of the two. Both were painted from the original drawing done for Good Words. One of the most beautiful water colours we had from him was "Coach and Horses," a portrait picture of his wife and two children, now in the possession of his youngest daughter, Mrs. Charles Davis, a lady of refined taste, whose greatest pleasure is to acquire works of her much-loved father. The small water colour of "Useless Mouths," exhibited in the R.W.S., was a subject he was very fond of—people being driven out of a beleaguered city. We had two oil pictures (which he painted with slight variations) of the same subject, as well as "The Daughter of Herodias Dances before Herod." Another, which he named "The Sorceress," was a beautiful young girl being tried as a witch before the tribunal of the Inquisition. Both the latter pictures were exceptionally fine.

We commissioned him for one hundred illustrations to "Don Quixote," which he did most ably. Frederick Warne & Co. published the book for us. His illustrations to "Krilof's Fables" are very[Pg 225] clever. He contributed to nearly all our "Fine Art Books," notably, "Jean Ingelow's Poems," "Our National Nursery Rhymes," "Buchanan's North Coast Poems," and "Ballad Stories of the Affections."

King Zeyn Conducts the Queen-Mother to the Vaults.

FROM "DALZIEL'S ARABIAN NIGHTS."

By Edward Dalziel.

By permission of Messrs. Ward & Lock.

[Pg 226]

Houghton was the essence of kindness and generosity. His impulsive nature knew no bounds. If any case of distress to a brother artist came before him he was the first to offer help. We could give many special instances where he emptied his pockets that he might help those in immediate want.

Although we had done much work with the house of Ward & Lock from their first commencing business, it was not until 1863 that we held any financial interest in what they published. In that year we entered into a contract with them to produce a series of popular standard works, fully illustrated, to be under the able editorship of Dr. H. W. Dulcken, and to be published with the general title of "Dalziel's Illustrated Edition." We were to share equally in the cost of production, and participate equally in the profits, if there were any. Before the first number appeared, Mr. J. Stephens, proprietor of the Family Herald, was so much attracted by the probable success of the scheme, that he begged to be included in the partnership, suggesting that all costs, losses, or profits should be equally borne by the three parties. To this we agreed.

"The Arabian Nights' Entertainments," it was decided, should be the first of the series. Some of the drawings were made by Sir John E. Millais, P.R.A., Sir John Tenniel, J. D. Watson, R.W.S.,

[Pg 227]

The Genie brings the Hatchet and Cord.

FROM "DALZIEL'S ARABIAN NIGHTS."

By Thomas Dalziel.

By permission of Messrs. Ward & Lock.

[Pg 228] G. J. Pinwell, R.W.S., and other artists, but the great majority of them were done by A. Boyd Houghton, R.W.S., and Thomas Dalziel.

This was followed by "The Works of Oliver Goldsmith," illustrated by George J. Pinwell, R.W.S. The work being entirely illustrated by one artist, and he a very great one, gives it a special interest and value. Some of Pinwell's finest black and white is here seen.

"Lord, hearken unto me,
Help all poor men at sea."

"Meg Blane."—Robert Buchanan.

By Thomas Dalziel.

By permission of Mr. John Hogg.

[Pg 229]

"And women barred their doors with bars of iron
In the silence of the night; and at the sunrise
Shivered behind the husbandmen afield."

"Celtic Myths."—Robert Buchanan.

By Thomas Dalziel.

By permission of Mr. John Hogg.

[Pg 230]

Though these two books, upon which we bestowed much anxious care, were very highly appreciated by the press generally, and still more highly by the art-loving world, the public, unfortunately, did not respond so enthusiastically as we had expected, and, as a large debt had by this time been incurred, all further progress in the scheme was abandoned.

Amongst much interesting work in which we were associated with Ward & Lock, was a very charming edition of "The Pilgrim's Progress," containing 100 beautiful pictures, drawn entirely by Thomas Dalziel—thus adding another to the many editions of this wonderful book which we had been called upon to embellish.

Our connection with Messrs. Ward & Lock continued for many years after "The Arabian Nights" transaction had terminated.

It was through an introduction by G. J. Pinwell that we first met J. W. North. He began as a pupil of J. W. Whymper, in whose studio he made many small drawings, most of which were modelled on the works of Birket Foster. North said that all the art teaching he ever got at Whymper's was that when a subject was given him, a print of one of Foster's was placed before him, with instructions to make his drawing in that manner. We were struck, not only with the earnestness of his method, but the beautiful drawing and his sweet simplicity of style. But it is a fact that publishers generally did not care for his work, and, broadly speaking, all the drawings he did for us were in the form of commissions given direct by ourselves,[Pg 231] and at our own risk. Most certainly we have nothing to regret in this; for in different forms he gave us some of the finest English landscapes that have been produced in black and white. Amongst the most important are those which we placed in our "Round of Days," in "Home Thoughts," and in "Jean Ingelow's Poems." And whatever reputation North may have gained in other branches of art, we feel assured that these early works will form no small part of that distinction.

"Silent they stood, each gazing on the dust
Of kindred;—on the well-beloved ones
Whom they should never lie beside in slumber."

"The Exiles of Glen Oona."—Robert Buchanan.

By William Small.

By permission of Mr. John Hogg.

[Pg 232]

From his earliest practice of art he devoted much time to water colour painting, and was elected, on his first "sending in," to the Royal Water Colour Society, where he at once became one of its most prominent members, producing, year by year, landscapes of singular beauty. He also painted several important landscapes in oil, which called forth much attention at the Grosvenor and at the New Gallery, and for some years now has had the distinction of A.R.A. as an affix to his name.

It has always been a pleasant memory to us in having had it in our power to be of some service to this talented artist when he started on "the battle of life."

We became possessed of several of his very charming water colour drawings, one of the most important being two beautiful rustic children looking at a dead robin lying on the snow; another, "An Old Wooden Bridge," the design of which he used in illustrating one of Jean Ingelow's poems; and "A Storm at Sea," which is an exquisite piece of colour.

[Pg 233]

"Then calling to his henchman red,
'Slit me the throat of the Priest,' he said;
'His red heart's blood shall flow before
A gracious sacrifice to Thor.'"

"Hahon."—Robert Buchanan.

By Edward Dalziel.

By permission of Mr. John Hogg.

[Pg 234]

Our first introduction to Jean Ingelow was through Mr. Niles, of Roberts Brothers, Boston, U.S., who wanted some illustrations done for her poems. Some six or eight page drawings were made by J. W. North, and the success of that venture induced us to make terms with her for the elaborately illustrated edition of "Jean Ingelow's Poems," for which we retained the English rights, and which we produced and placed in the hands of Messrs. Longman, her English publishers. The pictures were by various artists—Pinwell is at his very best in "The High Tide," "Winstanly," and many others; so is J. W. North, who gave us numerous examples in his most refined manner. Wolf, Small, and Houghton are all there in good form. There is one fine example of Sir E. J. Poynter, P.R.A., of "Euphrosyne," and there are a number of our own drawings of which it is needless to particularize.

It was in our connection with Good Words that we first came in contact with Robert Buchanan, who was at that time coming right to the front as a popular poet. At our invitation he was induced to write and procure verses to the set of pictures by Fred Walker and others, which were published as "Wayside Posies," and for which he gave us much beautiful work. After this we made arrangements with him to produce an illustrated book, to be called "North Coast and Other Poems," which afforded plenty of scope for pictures of varied kinds. Commencing with "Meg Blane," a strong dramatic story of the sea is fully illustrated by A. B. Houghton[Pg 235] and Thomas Dalziel. "An English Eclogue" has a fine example of G. J. Pinwell; the same may be said of "The Battle of Drumlie Moor," and of the illustrations to "The Ballad Maker" and "Sigurd of Saxony." Houghton's pictures to "The Northern Warning" and to "The Saint's Story" are all powerful works. There are also two very fine drawings by William Small from the truly pathetic story of "The Exiles of Glen Oona."

Music.—A Man at the Spinet.

FROM "GOOD WORDS."

By J. M. Lawless.

Published by Mr. Alexander Strahan.

"Ballad Stories of the Affections" was always a favourite book with us—the fine old ballads giving[Pg 236] such an opportunity for pictures of an imaginative, poetic character. Two of Pinwell's—"Maid Mettelil" and "Young Axelvold"—are of exceeding beauty. Of A. B. Houghton's those for "Signelil, the Serving Maiden," and that for "The Two Sisters" are amongst his best. J. D. Watson has some good pictures, and those by J. Lawson illustrating "Aage and Elsie" are strong dramatic work. As to our own drawings, which are numerous, we will only say that we loved the subjects, and had much pleasure in making the drawings.

Among the many truly gifted young artists who came under our notice at this period was J. M. Lawless. His drawings were of such a refined and accomplished character that he at once took a place amongst the distinguished men of the time. He exhibited some few pictures at the Royal Academy which brought him prominently before the public; one of these, "A Midnight Mass," another, "A Sick Call"—a poor woman has been to fetch a priest, who, with his acolytes, is being rowed across a river; the woman's deep grief, and the solemnity of the entire scene, gives a touch of pathos to the group, and suggests it being a case in extremis. From "A Man at the Spinet," which we give, he painted a sweet water colour. Lawless was regarded as a "coming man," but, alas! like others of that "golden period" of Illustrative Art he passed away at quite an early age.

CHAPTER VI.

"Dalziel's Bible Gallery" is composed of sixty-two pictures, most of which are of a very high order; many quite up to the standard we aimed at when planning our project for an "Illustrated Bible." Special mention may be made of those by Lord, then Sir Frederick, Leighton, Bart., P.R.A., whose drawing of "Cain and Abel" will always rank as one of the grandest examples of Biblical art of modern times; nor less highly must be estimated his "Death of the First Born." The "Samson" subjects also are very fine, particularly that of "Carrying the Gates"; and another notable subject is "Moses Viewing the Promised Land"; but all his contributions, nine in number, will stand amongst the finest of his works in black and white.

An art critic, in an appreciative notice of works exhibited at the Old Water Colour Galleries, where some of Lord Leighton's drawings were on view, wrote the following words in reference to one of the illustrations done for the "Bible" series:

The following letters will interest the reader, as showing how earnestly Lord Leighton entered into this project of illustrating the Bible:

Again:

[Pg 239]

Cain and Abel.

By Lord Leighton, P.R.A.

FROM "DALZIEL'S BIBLE GALLERY."

By permission of Messrs. Herbert Virtue & Co., Ltd.

[Pg 240]

Dear Sir

I send the block I promised you for the end of this month.—I need not say I trust you will give peculiar care of the modelling of the flesh in which the lightest deviation from the drawing may destroy all anatomical correctness—I should with the execution the facsimiles throughout—nevertheless in passages where the ink has changed [Pg 241] and the shading become spotty you will use your discretion about leaving the effects—in one or two places also thin lines will perhaps require splitting to make them grey—the white troubles are of course only corrections—not high lights.

dear sirs

Yours faithfully
Fred Leighton

[Pg 242]

Why Lord Leighton did not execute so many drawings for our "Bible" as he had originally intended, the following note will explain:

[Pg 243]

Moses Views the Promised Land.

By Lord Leighton, P.R.A.

FROM "DALZIEL'S BIBLE GALLERY."

By permission of Messrs. Herbert Virtue & Co., Ltd.

[Pg 244]

G. F. Watts, R.A., also expressed himself in high approval of the project, and promised his ready help, but ultimately he contributed only three drawings. His letter will be of interest:

Some slight objection having been taken to one of Mr. Watts' drawings, and a reconsideration suggested, he wrote the following letter:

[Pg 245]

Esau Meeting Jacob.

By G. F. Watts, R.A.

FROM "DALZIEL'S BIBLE GALLERY."

By permission of Herbert Virtue & Co., Ltd.

[Pg 246]

Unstinted praise ought also to be given to the ten contributions of Sir E. J. Poynter, P.R.A. For conception of subject, beauty of design, and wonderful manipulation, they must all be regarded as fine examples of Scriptural art. We must specially mention the drawings from "The Life of Joseph": "Joseph Distributing the Corn," "Pharaoh Honours Joseph," and "Joseph Presents his Father to Pharaoh." From the latter design he painted for us a most exquisite water colour drawing. Then, again, "Moses and Aaron before Pharaoh," "Miriam," and "Daniel's Prayer," are all remarkable for purity of treatment.

[Pg 247]

Joseph Presents his Father to Pharaoh. By Sir E. J. Poynter, P.R.A.

By permission of Messrs. Herbert Virtue & Co., Ltd. FROM "DALZIEL'S BIBLE GALLERY."

[Pg 248]

While arranging subjects for illustration for the "Bible" we received the following note:

Sir E. J. Poynter, P.R.A., was born in Paris, 1836; and was educated at Westminster, Ipswich, and Brighton College. He returned to Paris to receive his art training, and entered the studio of Gleyre, going afterwards to Antwerp, where he was fellow-student with Alma-Tadema and George Du Maurier. In Rome he made the acquaintance of Leighton, and for a short time worked in his studio there. He was elected into the Royal[Pg 249] Academy, 1869, and to full honours in that institution, 1876, attaining the highest honour, that of President, November, 1896. This is but a short record of a very brilliant career.

Miriam.

By Sir E. J. Poynter, P.R.A.

FROM "DALZIEL'S BIBLE GALLERY."

By permission of Herbert Virtue & Co., Ltd.

[Pg 250]

We were first attracted to his work, at a minor Exhibition in Newman Street, by a small, but very charming water colour drawing of "Egyptian Water Carriers"—two, half-length, beautiful girls—which we bought, on its merits, not having any previous knowledge of the artist. Several years after, this picture was engraved and included in our "Bible Gallery."

The following letter, remarking upon a proof from one of his drawings for the "Bible" submitted for correction, is one of several we received from Sir Edward J. Poynter during the progress of the work:

[Pg 251]

Eliezer and Rebekah at the Well.

By Holman Hunt.

FROM "DALZIEL'S BIBLE GALLERY."

By permission of Messrs. Herbert Virtue & Co., Ltd.

[Pg 252]

We are tempted here to print a letter received from him in reply to one from us in congratulation upon his election as President of the Royal Academy of Arts:

The Holman Hunt drawing of "Eliezer and Rebekah at the Well" is a work of such simplicity of design and delicate treatment as might be expected from this distinguished artist, whose life has been mainly devoted to Biblical art. Of the three grand designs made for us by the veteran artist G. F. Watts, R.A., we have selected that of "Esau Meeting Jacob," as being a fine example of the artist, who has always worked with the highest and noblest aims. Of Ford Madox Brown's three contributions we have chosen "Elijah and the Widow's Son," as being not only an original conception of the subject, but perhaps one of the most beautiful specimens of manipulative skill he ever produced. He called it an etching, and so it was to all intents, it being perfectly pure line work. Although more beautiful, it is in no way finer than "Joseph's Coat," or "The Death of Eglon."

[Pg 253]

Elijah and the Widow's Son.

By Ford Madox Brown.

FROM "DALZIEL'S BIBLE GALLERY."

By permission of Herbert Virtue & Co., Ltd.

[Pg 254] F. Sandy's one drawing, "Jacob hears the Voice of the Lord," is a very strong piece of work. There are many other important pictures by F. R. Pickersgill, R.A., E. Armitage, R.A., A. B. Houghton, R.W.S., H. H. Armstead, R.A., A. Murch, William Small, E. F. Brewtnall, R.W.S., F. S. Walker, R.H.A., and Sir E. Burne-Jones. There are also twelve designs by Thomas Dalziel, which are regarded by many competent judges to be amongst the best work in the collection. "Hosannah," by S. Solomon, is also a very beautiful work. What joy and fervour of music are expressed in the drawing! We well remember the small picture he painted of the subject; it hung on the line at the R.A., and was looked upon as the work of a coming man.

Burne-Jones' "overwhelming" amount of work, as explained in the following letter, must be accepted as the reason why he contributed only one drawing to the "Bible," in which he took such keen interest at its commencement.

Abraham Parting with Lot. By Thomas Dalziel.

By permission of Messrs. Herbert Virtue & Co., Ltd.

FROM "DALZIEL'S BIBLE GALLERY."

[Pg 256]

Yet with all this vast array of talent our "Bible," commercially speaking, was a dead failure. It was carefully printed on India paper, and issued partly in portfolio and partly in book form, but the British public did not respond, some two hundred copies being all that were sold. The balance of the number printed were disposed of at prices which we will not here record. Thus ended a work, begun with the highest aims, over which we spent many years of careful, patient labour, and several thousands of pounds.

Fortunately, many of the best of the original drawings have found their way to the National Collection at the Kensington Museum, where they will remain as records of some of the very finest examples of the black and white work of this period, and to the lasting fame of the artists.

It may be interesting to state that, at the time we were placing commissions for designs to illustrate the "Bible" and other important works in the hands of such artists as Sir F. Leighton, P.R.A., Sir John Millais, P.R.A., Sir E. J. Poynter, P.R.A., H. H. Armstead, R.A., A. Armitage, R.A., Sir E. Burne-Jones, A.R.A., Marcus Stone, R.A., John Pettie, R.A., W. Q. Orchardson, R.A., H. Stacey Marks, R.A., Professor H. Von Herkomer, R.A., G. F. Watts, R.A., Fred Walker, A.R.A., Fred Pickersgill, R.A., J. W. North, A.R.A., and[Pg 257] J. MacWhirter, R.A., all of whom have since attained the highest position in their art, without a single exception not one of them had at the time of our first correspondence entered into the ranks of the Royal Academy.

Jacob and the Flocks of Laban. By Thomas Dalziel.

By permission of Messrs. Herbert Virtue & Co., Ltd.

FROM "DALZIEL'S BIBLE GALLERY."

[Pg 258]

Almost the same may be said of many young artists who were not contributors to the "Bible Gallery," in whose hands we placed commissions long before they had risen to fame and fortune.

Frederick Sandys, on having a proof submitted to him for correction, wrote the following letter:

[Pg 259]

Hosannah. By Simeon Solomon.

FROM "DALZIEL'S BIBLE GALLERY."

By permission of Messrs. Herbert Virtue & Co., Ltd.

[Pg 260]

Our original intention being to publish an "Illustrated Bible," we were desirous that it should be carefully watched through the press, and, if necessary, some few explanatory notes appended. With this object we offered the editorship to Sir George Grove. The following letter is of interest, explaining his reasons for declining the responsibility:

This refusal of Sir George Grove's co-operation, combined with other insurmountable difficulties which came in the way, caused us very reluctantly to abandon our original project.

Being invited to contribute to the Fine Art section of the Victorian Era Exhibition held at Earl's Court in the summer of 1897, we sent a frame containing selections from Tenniel's illustrations to "Through the Looking Glass," some specimens after F. Walker, and a large frame containing about twenty examples from "Dalziel's Bible," by Lord Leighton, Sir E. J. Poynter, Holman Hunt,[Pg 261] Ford Madox Brown, Thomas Dalziel, Sir E. Burne-Jones, and others, with four proofs from Sir J. E. Millais' illustrations to "The Parables." For these contributions the Committee awarded us a Diploma for a Silver Medal.

Daniel's Prayer.

FROM "DALZIEL'S BIBLE GALLERY."

By Sir E. J. Poynter, P.R.A.

By permission of Messrs. Herbert Virtue & Co., Ltd.

[Pg 262]

Among our schemes for publishing high-class works was "The Biblical Life of Joseph," to be fully and carefully illustrated. We consulted Frederick Sandys upon the subject. The following letter will show the feeling with which he received the proposition:

[Pg 263]

Christian Climbing the Hill of Difficulty. By E. G. Dalziel.

FROM "BUNYAN'S PILGRIM'S PROGRESS."

Published by Mr. Alexander Strahan.

[Pg 264]

Of the many books placed in our hands for illustration, "The Pilgrim's Progress," by John Bunyan, exceeded in number all others. That immortal work came to us in every form—published at various prices, from one shilling, with a large number of original outline designs by a distinguished artist, to the edition produced by Alexander Strahan, in 1880, at five guineas. In this instance we printed all the larger pictures for him on India paper. There were one hundred drawings, no less than sixty-six of them being by that highly-gifted artist, Fred Barnard, whose dramatic power quite equalled his high sense of humour. Of his large pictures in the book, while all are good, those of "The Giant Despair," "The Man with the Muck Rake," and "The Atheist," are amongst the best. As to his smaller designs, it is difficult to say whether one admires them most for their strength of character or for the delicate and refined touch of his pencil.

[Pg 265]

Old Honest. By Sir James D. Linton, P.R.I.

FROM "BUNYAN'S PILGRIM'S PROGRESS."

Published by Mr. Alexander Strahan.

[Pg 266]

There were other men of distinction to help Strahan with the full-page pictures. E. F. Brewtnall had ten drawings, all good. "The Three Shining Ones" is very refined and original in treatment. William Small's "Slough of Despond," and "At the Gate," are both worthy of this accomplished artist. E. G. Dalziel had five pictures, of which "Christian Climbing the Hill of Difficulty," and "Christian and Faithful Crossing the River of Death," are most remarkable works. John Ralston, another of the clever young Scotch artists who came to London, had three pictures, "The Ladies of the House—Beautiful Reading to Christian," being by far the finest. Sir James D. Linton, P.R.I., had four very powerful drawings, which were typical of all the work of this long-distinguished and painstaking artist, who always gives good sound readings of his subjects: "Old Honest" is an admirable example. Of Towneley Green's four pictures, "The Bundle Falls off Christian's Back," we like best; but all are good. The one picture by Joseph Wolf, "Lions in the Path," is simply grand.

A most important and comprehensive work which Messrs. Routledge entrusted to us was the production of the pictures for the "Illustrated Natural History," by the Rev. J. G. Wood. They were, of course, to be under the superintendence of the author, who was at that time Chaplain of St. Bartholomew's Hospital.

During the publication of the book, which was issued in monthly parts, and extended over a period of nearly four years, it was our custom to go there and see him every Monday morning, accompanied generally by Mr. George Routledge, to receive new lists of subjects, to report progress of those in hand, and to discuss the matter generally. From there we went on to the printing office of Richard Clay & Sons, who were printing the work under our supervision.

[Pg 267]

The Atheist. By Frederick Barnard.

FROM "BUNYAN'S PILGRIM'S PROGRESS."

Published by Mr. Alexander Strahan.

[Pg 268]

Among the many distinguished artists engaged we would first mention William Harvey, of whom we have spoken elsewhere. He did not, however, make many drawings, from the fact that J. G. Wood thought them too mannered and conventional; the same objection was held by the author to Harrison Weir. Although this clever artist contributed considerably to certain sections of the book, J. G. Wood summed up his drawings in a few words: "Always picturesque, but never correct."

Joseph Wolf, a German by birth, made a large number of drawings for the work, and gave the author every satisfaction. By many it is held that his birds are more correct than those by any other draughtsman; certainly his perfect manipulation gives them a beauty that cannot be excelled. There can be no doubt that his contributions are by far the best: take his lions, tigers, or his groups of monkeys and of birds—all denoting the artist of high culture. He was appointed Special Artist to the Zoological Society, and worked very much at their Gardens in Regent's Park and also at their Museum.

While we were preparing the first sheets for the press, a very fine specimen of the gorilla, preserved in spirits, most opportunely arrived at the Zoological Gardens, one of the first, we were informed, that had ever reached this country. Permission was obtained for Mr. Wolf to be present at the opening of the barrel which contained the defunct animal, so that he might have a better opportunity of making notes for his guidance in doing the drawing, one of the best in the entire book, than the indifferently stuffed specimen in the Museum afforded him. Wolf afterwards remarked[Pg 269] that opening the barrel and lifting the animal out of the spirits was extremely interesting, but the effluvia was sufficient to poison a regiment of soldiers—whether he considered it a fact that soldiers as a rule are less susceptible to the influence of poisonous gases than other men, he did not take the trouble to explain.

Monkeys. By Joseph Wolf.

FROM "WOOD'S NATURAL HISTORY."

By permission of Messrs. George Routledge & Sons.

[Pg 270]

From J. B. Zwecker, who was also a German by birth, we had considerable help. He was a highly-educated artist of the Dusseldorf School. He painted in oil and water colour; his work always showed good drawing and design, but was generally heavy in effect. He made a large number of drawings for the "Natural History" and for other publications—his being a ready pencil. He was an accomplished athlete, a genial companion, a kind-hearted man, and an enthusiastic son of the "Fatherland."

Another of the many-sided artists with whom we were connected in this work was W. S. Coleman. On coming to London he called upon us and we were of some service to him, we believe, in introducing him as a wood draughtsman. Beyond his art taste and knowledge, he had considerable skill in a literary way, creating some small books of his own—"A Book on Butterflies," and another on "Birds' Eggs," being amongst the first and best. The Rev. J. G. Wood always said he could rely on Coleman doing his utmost, for when living specimens could not be obtained he would take any amount of trouble in searching for the most reliable representation of the objects required.

[Pg 271]

We must have had hundreds of his drawings through our hands. He painted both in oil and water colour, his landscapes in the latter medium being always very sweet and tender in feeling. In fact, Coleman's work ranges from a careful drawing of a butterfly—as decoration for a Christmas card—to classic or nude figures full life size.

T. W. Wood, an artist, in no way related to the Rev. J. G. Wood, made many careful drawings for the book—principally of birds and butterflies. Though always technically correct, he was deficient in artistic treatment—in fact, a playful artist friend once dubbed him the "Wooden Wood."

The commission to prepare the pictures for "The Natural History of Man" was also placed in our hands by Messrs. Routledge, in the same manner as for the "Natural History," with this difference, that, with the exception of implements—warlike, domestic and otherwise, huts, etc., which were all copied from the best authorities by other hands, the entire set of drawings were done by one artist, J. B. Zwecker, who, having an excellent knowledge of the human figure, was well qualified for dealing with the Kaffir, Zulu and other South African tribes, of which the first portion of the "History" deals so exhaustively. Zwecker always received his lists and instructions direct from the author; our portion being the engraving of the wood blocks and a general supervision of the printing.

CHAPTER VII.

Early in 1865 Mr. Edward Wylam became proprietor of the comic periodical Fun—at that time the only competitor of Punch—and was fortunate enough to secure Tom Hood as editor. On taking up the direction, Hood informed us that one of the stipulations he made with Wylam was that we should be solicited to undertake the engraving of all the drawings. At first we felt some hesitation in accepting the commission, thinking it might considerably interfere with very important works we were then engaged upon; but ultimately satisfactory arrangements were concluded, and our relationship continued in the most amicable manner, without a break for six years. In 1870—Mr. Wylam wishing to devote his entire attention to the development of "Spratt's Dog Biscuits," the patent for which he had recently purchased—we became the sole proprietors of the publication, paying for the goodwill and copyright the sum of £6,000, Hood continuing editor until his death.

[Pg 273]

The Old Year and the New.

FUN CARTOON, 1867.

By Paul Gray.

[Pg 274]

In 1869 Hood commenced the publication of "Tom Hood's Comic Annual," which at once secured a large amount of public favour. The second issue more than covered the slight loss sustained on the first. While the third issue was in preparation we purchased from Hood the title, copyrights, and stock of all literary and artistic matter connected with it for the sum of £600.

Tom Hood was, as perhaps half the world knows, the only son of the celebrated wit and poet, Thomas Hood, the author of "The Song of the Shirt," "The Bridge of Sighs," "Eugene Aram," and many other poems of great beauty and purport.

[Pg 275]

The Chosen Champion. By Frederick Barnard.

FUN CARTOON, 1869.

[Pg 276]

Tom Hood, like his father, was somewhat of an artist, possessing considerable skill in caricature, and giving a comic "twist" to his sketches. Many of his drawings are scattered through the pages of Fun. He invariably expressed himself well pleased with the manner in which they were reproduced. The following is only one of many letters we received from him:

During the many years of our intimate association with Tom Hood, we received hundreds of letters and notes from his pen, but the following is the first and only instance in which he signed his name "Thos. Hood." After this, when he had resigned his post at the War Office and sat down steadily to literary work, he always studiously signed his name "Tom," with the express object that his name might not be confounded with that of his father, or that he should be accused of "making capital" out of his father's name and reputation.

[Pg 277]

FUN OFFICE.
80 FLEET STREET E.C.

Friday.

My dear Mr Dalziel

With joy I'd resort
To dine with the Shandies at fair Hampton Court
On Saturday, were I not bound on that day
To navigate Thames in the opposite way
As one of the crew of the scow "Albert-Victor"
(A steamboat that knowing ones vow is a pictur)
Which is bound for sweet Margate, the shore light beyond,
Being chartered expressly by Spiers & Pond,

(This is Spiers and Pond the bard continues)

To take down a party—and 'mongst others me—
To open their famous new Hall by the Sea.

(This is the Haul by the Sea Again the bard urges on his wild careen)

So I'm forced—though I'd much like to come if I could—
To decline your kind offer.

Yours truly
Tom Hood

E. Dalziel Esq

[Pg 278]

All our transactions with Hood, which continued for close upon ten years, were of the most friendly and agreeable character, leaving behind delightful remembrances of his truly social and sympathetic nature. The letter which we give in facsimile was received in reply to an invitation to join us at an "up-the-river" dinner party, where we promised he should meet a few kindred spirits and spend a very enjoyable day.

Unhappily, Tom Hood died too soon, after an illness of some short duration, against which he fought with great courage. He worked with the assistance of his friend Henry Sampson, to the last—taking part in preparing the number of Fun that was published the day after his death, which took place at his house, in Peckham Rye, on November 26th, 1874.

Subsequently his widow handed us the following letter, with the remark that they were the last lines he ever wrote:

[Pg 279]

Old Father Time. By Gordon Thomson.

A PORTION OF FUN CARTOON, 1871.

[Pg 280]

AN URBAN DELUSION.

Jones knew a thing too much for most people. "Nice bunch o' water-cresses, just fresh in," said his greengrocer. "Oh, ah!" said the knowing Jones; "fresh—oh, yes! after being brought all the way from the country! Not for me, thankee!" For the fact was that the knowing Jones was just off for a day or two in the country himself.

[Pg 281]

AN URBAN DELUSION—(continued.)

But it so happened that the same bunch of water-cress went down by the same train as Jones did, and alighted at the same rural station. "Ha!" said Jones, in a stroll down the country lanes, "now, here comes a fellow with a real fresh country bunch of water-cresses; I will buy them and take them home to town with me the day after tomorrow. That's the way to get the real fresh article!"

By J. F. Sullivan. From Fun.

Among the many men, with whom our connection with Fun and the "Comic Annual" brought us into close communication, who have steadily ascended the ladder of fame—some, alas! no longer with us,—mention ought to be made of Henry S. Leigh, author of "Carols of Cockayne," "Strains from the Strand," and other volumes of verse; a man possessed of rare wit and unquestionable genius, but, unfortunately, without one atom of application or appreciation of the value of time. On one occasion, when some change of contributors was contemplated, Hood wrote:

Yet, notwithstanding his extreme dilatoriness, he was a thoroughly good fellow, and Hood was at all times only too glad to receive any contributions he cared to send, for they were certain to contain some quaint conceit and out of the way sentiment.

[Pg 283]

That or Nothing. By G. J. Pinwell, R.W.S. From Fun.

Mrs. Vicar.—"Thomas, what has become of you lately? I haven't seen you at Church for several months."

Thomas.—"Noa, ye ain't. But I haven't been nowheres else."

[Pg 284]

On Leigh being remonstrated with for non-delivery of promised copy, we received the following:

Of W. S. Gilbert, of "Bab Ballads" and Comic Opera fame, it may not be generally known that all those "topsy-turvy" rhymes were published in Fun: though they were by no means the only work he did for the journal. For a considerable period he wrote a comic paraphrase upon the most popular play produced during the week, as well as an extremely clever series of papers called "People I Have Met." He also wrote several stories for the "Comic Annual." In his selected edition of "Fifty Bab Ballads" he gives the following account of how these happened to be published in Fun:

[Pg 285]

To Even Money! By E. G. Dalziel. From Fun.

Teetotal Wife.—"Ah, when that 'evingly Sir Wilfrid 'as 'is way, 'e'll put that nasty beer down!"

Irreverent Brute.—"Hope he'll put it down to the price it used to was—thruppence a pot."

[Pg 286]

W. S. Gilbert, like many of his fellow workers on the staff of Fun, began life in the Civil Service, he having been for a short time in the Education Office; but the "diurnal drudgery" was not congenial. His impetuous temperament would not brook direction or control, as his most intimate friends were not slow to discover. Immediately on his fairly breaking away from the "ten to four slavery," the first thing he did was to buy a quire or more of foolscap paper, a bundle of quill pens, and a few pieces of boxwood. Thus armed, he commenced to fire away with pen and pencil, for at that time Gilbert contemplated turning his attention to art. His connection with Fun began in his early days, when he sent some of his "topsy-turvy" things to Mr. Maclean, the first proprietor, who, detecting the unquestionable merit, insisted upon their being accepted and published.

Clement Scott, another early and very valued writer on Fun, in a short sketch of his own career, referring to Gilbert, says:

So long as Hood lived, George Augustus Sala was a constant contributor, as were Edmund Yates and Arthur Sketchley; the latter gentleman's "Mrs. Brown at the Play," as well as a long series of "Mrs. Brown" papers, chiefly comments on the current events of the day, were all published in Fun, and had immense popularity.

[Pg 287]

Chelsea Hospitality, under a Cloud. By E. G. Dalziel. From Fun.

Pensioner (to Workman).—"Got e'er a bit o' baccy about ye?"

Workman.—"No, mate!—just smoking the last bit!"

Pensioner.—"Come off that there grass—directly!"

[Pg 288]

Another prominent member of the staff was William Jeffrey Prowse, a journalist of great brilliancy and power, and a "leader writer" and constant contributor to the Daily Telegraph. His advent, under the nom de plume of "Nicholas," was announced by Hood in the following quaint terms:

But Jeffrey Prowse was something more than the ordinary journalist working to order; he was a poet of no mean power. Some of his productions in this way were published after his death at the end of a small volume of "Nicholas Notes," edited by his friend, Tom Hood. Among his best are "To Be, to Do, and to Suffer," a poem showing great ability; and one named "The City of Prague," of which the following are the first and last verses:

[Pg 289]

Park Lane. By E. F. Brewtnall. From Fun.

He.—"What a dreadful noise there is down there with those cabs and things! You can hardly hear yourself speak."

She.—"Yes; almost as bad as being at the opera, isn't it?"

[Pg 290]

Poor Prowse died at the early age of thirty-four. Hood, in a short memoir, says:

[Pg 291]

A Drap o' the Best. By William Small. From Fun.

First Hielan'man.—"She'll pe ta pest wusky I shall have tastit for efermore."

Second Hielan'man.—"So tit I, neither!"

Third Hielan'man.—"Neither tit I, too!"

[Pg 292]

We must not omit to mention Ashby Sterry as one of the staff, and a contributor to Fun's pages of much graceful verse. He is well known for his volume, "Lays of a Lazy Minstrel." Then, Charles H. Leland, who gained considerable reputation as the genial Dutchman, Hans Breitmann. This gentleman contributed very liberally to the "Comic Annual." He is one of the most affable and interesting men it has been our good fortune to be associated with. He was full of entertaining anecdote, a true artist and no mean draughtsman—in appearance, a giant, in manner as simple as a child. On one occasion in America he asked a negro the name of a black man of rather fine physique and superior appearance, who was standing near.

"He Injun," replied the nigger; "he big Injun; he heap big Injun; he dam heap big Injun; he dam mighty great heap big Injun; He Jones." Jones appeared to be the nigger's culminating pinnacle of greatness!

Godfrey Turner, one of the talented young men who, in the early days, did so much towards placing the Daily Telegraph in the high position which it attained among the London morning papers, worked very constantly upon Fun, as well as on the "Comic Annual." Poor fellow! a protracted illness, generally attributed to overwork, incapacitated him during the last two or three years of his life.

Dutton Cook's short stories appeared constantly in the "Annual"—among his very last work being one he wrote for that periodical. Nor must we omit to mention Leman Blanchard, who was the author of more Christmas pantomimes than can well be counted. He did this work for Drury Lane under F. B. Chatterton, and then Sir Augustus Harris, for many years, as well as for many of the Provincial theatres. The able and accomplished editor of Sketch, John Latey, also was one of our most-esteemed contributors.

Henry J. Byron did much good work for[Pg 293] Fun under Hood, but he retired from the staff on commencing a paper of his own, under the title of the Comic News, which unfortunately for the proprietor had but a short existence.

Frank Barrat, Manville Fenn, Austin Dobson, Byron Webber, Moy Thomas, H. C. Newton, and Christie Murray, are the names of others whose work frequently appeared in Fun and the "Comic Annual."

On the death of Tom Hood we complied with his dying request and placed the "Bauble" in the hands of Henry Sampson, who had been a constant fellow worker with Hood for some two or three years previous. One of the first things Sampson did was to introduce George R. Sims upon the staff. It is superfluous for us to comment upon Sims' great ability as a dramatist, a writer of short stories and sympathetic ballads, because the voices of the reading and the play-going world have already proclaimed their high appreciation of his genius. Suffice it to say that it was in the pages of Fun that he found his first opportunity of appearing in print.

In 1893 when Fun passed out of our hands, he alluded to us in the Referee, with which he had long been associated under the nom de plume of "Dagonet," in the following kind words:

Again, Sims writes:

Later, in January, 1894, he kindly wrote in the same paper:

[Pg 295]

Mistress and Maid. By A. Boyd Houghton, R.W.S. From Fun.

Mistress. "Biddy, how is it you did not answer the bell when I rang?'

Maid. "Sure, mem, 'twas bekase I didn't know what you was ringing for, mem!"

[Pg 296]

So long as Sims continued on the staff he was at all times a most welcome contributor, and, with one exception, always to our entire satisfaction. The exception came about from the severity of a criticism which he wrote upon Sir Henry Irving's rendering of Macbeth, the humour of the article not being quite as apparent as it was intended to be. This caused Irving [and his friends] so much annoyance that he commenced an action against us for libel. However, Sims at once acknowledged the authorship of the article, with ample apologies and regrets, and assurance that there was no "malice aforethought," and Henry Sampson did the same as the responsible editor, so Sir Henry, in a very handsome and kindly manner, withdrew from the prosecution, and the matter ended.

For several years George Dalziel (the elder of the Brothers), regularly contributed short stories and verse to "Hood's Annual." Among the latter was a rather lengthy poem, of which we give a few of the verses:

WHAT THE MOON SAW.

George Dalziel.

From another issue of the "Annual" we make a few extracts from some verses which are entitled:

MY BOOKS.

[Pg 300]

George Dalziel.

THE THEATRE OF NATURE.

BOXES.

PIT.

[Pg 301]

THE THEATRE OF NATURE—(continued.)

GALLERY.

AT THE DOOR.

By Ernest Griset. From Fun.

[Pg 302]

During the period that Fun was in our possession George Dalziel was a constant contributor, writing upon the passing events of the day under the general heading of "Dots by the Way."

Few matters in modern history caused greater excitement in the public mind than the many unsuccessful attempts of our troops to reach Khartoum for the relief of General Gordon, and, on the news of how the place had fallen and the brave hero had been murdered by a horde of savage Dervishes, the following verses appeared:

DEATH OF GENERAL GORDON.

George Dalziel.

Again, when the decisive battle was fought under the command of Lord, then Sir Garnet, Wolseley, at Tel-el-Kebir, which practically brought the revolt led by Arabi Pasha to a close, this song appeared:

A SONG FOR OUR BRAVES.

George Dalziel.

For many years we published at intervals several small volumes of short stories, by George Dalziel, some of them having been previously printed in the various issues of the "Comic Annual." These volumes had considerable popularity, the most successful being, "My Neighbour Nellie," "Dick Boulin's Four-in-Hand," "The Story of a Shop," "A Soldier's Sweetheart," and "Only a Flower Girl." We also put together three volumes of verse, with the titles of "Mattie Grey, and Other Poems," "Faces in the Fire," and, later, "Unconsidered Trifles." The first two of these were printed exclusively for private distribution, but the last volume was addressed to[Pg 305] the public through the publishing house of Mr. Elliot Stock. Some few of the poems in each of these volumes appeared originally in the pages of the "Annual."

An Illogical De-duck-tion. By E. G. Dalziel. From Fun.

New Mother.—"Now then, Polly, come and have your hat on, there's a little duck!"

Polly.—"Shan't! Other little ducks don't wear none—there now."

[The rest of the argument is lost in outcries and dissolved in tears.

[Pg 306]

The following lines, printed in "Faces in the Fire," were written as an affectionate tribute to the memory of one of the sweetest and most loveable of women:

MY MOTHER'S SONGS.

George Dalziel.

Of the many art contributors, it will be sufficient if we state the names of the principal men whose works have adorned the pages of Fun and Hood's "Comic Annual." Of these, naturally, the cartoonists take the foremost place. Paul Gray, who held this position on Hood assuming the editorship, was a young Irish artist of very considerable promise, and displayed much fine feeling for black and white work. He also made drawings for some of our "Fine Art Books." He was a man of delicate constitution, and within twelve months of his joining the Fun staff he fell into a consumption and died. Shortly before the sad event, writing to us on other subjects, he said:

Jeffrey Prowse, in one of his poems, makes the following touching allusion to the early death of his young friend:

[Pg 308]

[Pg 309]

Going Home to Love in a Cottage. By F. A. Fraser. From Fun.

The very spot where the Snorkers held a pic-nic. Oh! didn't the ladies cry out in one voice, "I could live in such a charming place for ever, if only——" At the self-same pic-nic, Tilbury Pawkins plighted his troth to Amelia Softispoon. Now they are married, and Amelia has begun trying to live in the "charming place," and Pawkins is going home to a damp cottage and a rheumatic wife as blithely as a newly-married man should.

[Pg 310]

Then came W. J. Weigand, followed by A. Boyd Houghton. Notwithstanding the great ability of the latter, his quality of mind hardly fitted him to join in with Tom Hood's idea of the punctuality indispensable for conducting a weekly periodical. Next came Henry Doyle, a brother of the more famous Richard Doyle—an extremely careful and painstaking artist—who subsequently became Keeper of the Dublin National Gallery, with the distinction of C.B. After Doyle came Fred Barnard, an artist of surpassing versatility and humour. Perhaps it is not too much to say that in wit and true comicality he far outstripped all his predecessors on the journal; but some slight difference of opinion with the editor—or was it some interference on the part of Mr. Wylam, the then proprietor—caused him to secede from the position. Then followed Gordon Thomson, an artist upon the merits of whose productions there was a wide difference of opinion; but he did much good work—the series of double-pages in connection with the Franco-Prussian War being exceptionally strong. His large pictures for Christmas and other Holiday Numbers were remarkable for the varied topical events he crowded into them, and those who remember his "Academy Skits" will know what quaint burlesques they were. Here is an appreciation by one of his most distinguished contemporaries:

Sir John Gilbert said:

Among the general contributors to Fun were many well-known draughtsmen—Professor H. von Herkomer, R.A.; George J. Pinwell, R.W.S.; Hal Ludlow, and "E. G. D." The last named (the eldest son of Edward Dalziel) was a young artist full of promise and great ability. Had he given continued attention to his oil painting he must undoubtedly have taken a very high position. He exhibited many pictures at the Royal Academy, the Grosvenor, and other galleries, but the allurement of black and white became too much for him, and he laid aside his brush for the pencil. He contributed many excellent works to our various "Fine Art Books," as well as to our "Bible Gallery." Unfortunately he died at the early age of 39. Amongst his many admirers was Sir John Gilbert, as the following letter, which refers to his drawings in Fun, will show:

[Pg 311]

Argumentum ad Hominem. By J. Mahoney. From Fun.

Young Graceless.—"Natural selection!"

Old Graceless.—"Certainly! Only the finest specimens of the race survive."

Young Graceless.—"Come now, that won't do! Why, you're over sixty now, and good for another twenty years!"

Among other artists employed on Fun were—William Small; Harry French; "F. A. F." (Francis A. Fraser), and his brother, G. Gordon Fraser, whose sketches of humorous Irish character were for several years a prominent feature in the journal (poor fellow! during the very severe winter of 1895 he was accidentally drowned while skating); E. J. Brewtnall, R.W.S., the water colour painter; F. S. Walker, R.H.A.; George Gatcombe, Harry Tuck; and J. W. Houghton. The last named also contributed the dramatic criticisms, with illustrations, for several years. Jack Houghton is a ready writer of smart, clever verse, and wrote all the rhymed descriptions to Gordon Thomson's "Academy Skits."

Another very talented youth who it was our good fortune to introduce on Fun's pages, both in literature and art, was J. F. Sullivan. He was a student at South Kensington, when he first forwarded some sketches for our inspection; and seeing they gave evidence of considerable ability, we at once availed ourselves of his drawings. Though he had much originality of conception and design, he did[Pg 313] not very readily acquire a "style" of his own, such as is evidenced in his later productions. Perhaps the most notable works Sullivan did were some very clever character sketches—"The British Working-man" and "The British Tradesman." But he was not an artist only, for, during the many years he was associated with Fun, he contributed to it a fair amount of very good verse and general comic matter.

OYSTERS.

"Here you are! the finest natives! best of appetite-creatives.
Come and buy! Taste and try!"

By Ernest Griset. From Fun.

There was a distinct cleverness about the quaint grotesque drawings of Ernest Griset, a young Frenchman, who made his appearance in London[Pg 314] now many years ago. His drawings were at first exhibited in the window of a book shop close to Leicester Square, where they attracted considerable attention. Tom Hood had a great opinion of the artist's ability. They were generally in pen and ink, lightly tinted with delicate colour. We thought very highly of Griset's drawings, and soon enlisted his services, not only on Fun and "Hoods Annual," but upon many other publications—for which we bought hundreds of his drawings, and from them made selections. Tom Hood wrote clever verses to some of these, and we published them in book form through Messrs. Routledge as "Griset's Grotesques." We also got together several of his drawings which had appeared in Fun and published them as shilling books from the Fun Office.

Griset was, and is, a hard and rapid worker. He has been engaged in many other ways as an illustrator; much on "Prehistoric Man." Also as a decorator of public halls, he has done good things.

[Pg 315]

Àpropos to a Proposal. By Hal Ludlow. From Fun.

Frank (just accepted).—"Love thee, dearest? Ay, and when time shall have furrowed these youthful cheeks and dimmed the lustre of your eyes, when age shall have threaded silver amidst these glossy locks and bowed the figure erstwhile straight——"

Laura (hastily).—"Oh, Frank, I hope not! Think how old you will be!"

[Pg 316]

W. S. Brunton, known as "Billy" Brunton, was a young Irishman full of racy humour and odd fancies. He was a constant contributor of comic sketches dealing with passing events of every-day life. It is well known that when the present Earl Dunraven was a young man he was occupied for many years as a journalist, on the London Press. He was of a genial disposition, a fluent writer, and a general favourite among his brethren of the pen, as well as a popular member of the Savage Club at the time that "Billy" Brunton and some few other kindred spirits kept the place pretty lively with their jovial nights and merry Irish rollicking. On one occasion, shortly after Dunraven had come into the title and estates, a small group of "Savages" were standing gossiping in the club smoke-room, when he very quietly said:

"By the way, old chums, now that my position in the world is a little altered, and I have been obliged to change my name, I hope there may be no reserve on your parts, or change of feeling towards me, and that we shall continue to meet and chum together on precisely the same friendly terms, and with the same cordial good-fellowship, that has always existed among us."

"Billy" Brunton, who happened to be one of the group, laid his hand, with a caressing pat, on Dunraven's shoulder, and in an encouraging tone said:

"All right, old man, that shall be all right, so let your mind be entirely at ease on that score. Bedad, I pledge my word for it; and I'm sure I speak the sentiments of every member of this club, that 'although your position in the world is a little altered, and you have been compelled to change your name,' you'll find no change in us—for you shall at all times be treated with precisely the same respect and the same consideration that has always been shown you here; and to prove I'm entirely in earnest in what I say—gentlemen, I propose that Dunraven stands glasses round."

It is hardly necessary to say that the proposal met with approval by the entire party, or that it was responded to by the noble "Savage."

[Pg 317]

Henry Sampson remained editor of Fun and "Tom Hood's Comic Annual" for nearly four years, when he resigned that position to commence a weekly newspaper—the Referee.

Early in the Sixties we made the acquaintance of Edward Lear, who was a landscape painter of great distinction, a naturalist, a man of high culture, and a most kind and courteous gentleman. He came to us bringing an original chromo-lithographic copy of his "Book of Nonsense"—published some years before by McLean of the Haymarket. His desire was to publish a new and cheaper edition. With this view he proposed having the entire set of designs redrawn on wood, and he commissioned us to do this, also to engrave the blocks, print, and produce the book for him. When the work was nearly completed, he said he would sell his rights in the production to us for £100. We did not accept his offer, but proposed to find a publisher who would undertake it. We laid the matter before Messrs. Routledge & Warne. They declined to buy, but were willing to publish it for him on commission, which they did. The first edition sold immediately. Messrs. Routledge then wished to purchase the copyright, but Mr. Lear said, "Now it is a success they must pay me more than I asked at first." The price was then fixed at £120, a very modest advance considering the mark the book had made. It has since gone through many editions in the hands of F. Warne & Co.

Lear told us how "The Book of Nonsense" originated. When a young man he studied very[Pg 318] much at the Zoological Gardens in Regent's Park. While he was engaged on an elaborate drawing of some "Parrots," a middle-aged gentleman used to come very frequently and talk to him about his work, and by degrees took more and more interest in him. One day he said, "I wish you to come on a visit to me, for I have much that I think would interest you." The stranger was the Earl of Derby. Lear accepted the invitation, and it was during his many visits at Knowsley that these "Nonsense" drawings were made, and the inimitable verses written. They were generally done in the evening to please the Earl's young children, and caused so much delightful amusement that he redrew them on stone, and published them as before stated. That is how this clever, humorous book came into existence; a work that will cause laughter and pleasure to young and old for all time. John Ruskin says of Lear's "Book of Nonsense":

John Proctor, the celebrated cartoonist, had retired from his position, and had gone over to Moonshine, the then new "comic," and William Boucher had taken his place, before we became connected in any way with Judy, or The London Serio Comic Journal. Charles H. Ross was the editor when the paper came into our hands in 1872.

[Pg 319]

Madame. By Frederick Barnard.

"She is one of the most amiable ladies I ever met, and has a pleasant smile and a pretty something to say to one and all, and she doesn't mean a word she says. Watch her now softly crossing the floor, no doubt fearful of waking old Mr. Topperton, whose heavy breathing might by the ill-disposed almost be likened to a snore. See, she is carrying a pillow; doubtless it is to prop up Topperton's head, now resting against the hard wooden edge of the chair at a painful angle. Not a bit of it."

"Behind a Brass Knocker" (Judy).—Charles H. Ross.

Published by Mr. Gilbert Dalziel.

[Pg 320] He was a gifted writer of varied powers, a dramatist and novelist of the most sensational order. But above all, Ross was a great humorist, with a manner peculiarly his own. He was also a skilful draughtsman, and we engraved hundreds of his drawings. His pages of humorous pictures, which appeared in Judy, were generally signed "Marie Duval" (his wife's maiden name), and the subjects often savoured somewhat of French origin.

One of the principal contributors to the paper at this period was Ernest Warren, an admirable verse writer. He, too, wrote for the stage. Of his books, many of which were of "The Round Table" series, the most popular were "Four Flirts," and "The White Cat." Another, which had run through the Journal, and was written in collaboration with his friend Ross, was "Rattletrap Rhymes and Tootletum Tales." All three books went through many editions.

"The Bloomin' Flower of Rorty Gulch" was published in the last-named book, and shows Ross's power as a sarcastic verse writer. As a recitation, the poem is very popular, and in the hands of that clever and esteemed actor, E. J. Odell, who has made a feature of it for many years, it is highly appreciated in Bohemian and other circles.

In his "Book of Beauty" Ross says "On Love":

[Pg 321]

Mister Mite. By Frederick Barnard.

"'What is it?' she asks.

"'It is him—papa,' responds Melia; 'he has come back!'"

"Behind a Brass Knocker" (Judy).—Charles H. Ross.

Published by Mr. Gilbert Dalziel.

And see the glowing description of "The Beautiful Gymnast: A Fragment":

[Pg 323]

On the Uselessness of Nursery Lore. By E. G. Dalziel.

"NURSERY MORALS" (JUDY).

Published by Mr. Gilbert Dalziel.

[Pg 324]

One of the most interesting series of stories that Charles H. Ross wrote for Judy, he called "Behind a Brass Knocker." This was done in conjunction with Fred Barnard, who made all of the drawings. It was rather a sad theme—the experiences of a lot of impecunious people living together in a boardinghouse, the poorest of them all being Mrs. Mite, whose shifts and cunning ways are told with a touch of pathos, her crowning trouble being a drunken husband. The work had considerable success in volume form. Fred Barnard's work in this was of his very best kind.

Ross also wrote a series of wonderfully clever articles to accompany a set of drawings by E. G. Dalziel, which were strangely unlike the usual work of this artist—so much so, as to suggest the idea that he must have been under the influence of Gustave Doré at the time. Ross called them "Nursery Morals," which were of a fanciful character. After playfully rebuking "Little Bo-Peep" on her vanity, he concludes:

"On The Giant-Killer," he writes:

[Pg 325]

On Love as a Passion. By E. G. Dalziel.

"NURSERY MORALS" (JUDY).

Published by Mr. Gilbert Dalziel.

He remarks "On the Utter Wrongness of Nursery Lore":

"On Love as a Passion":

[Pg 327]

"Even Mr. Codlin had nothing to urge against a proposal so seasonable. Nelly, kneeling down beside the box, was soon busily engaged in her task, and accomplishing it to a miracle."

"The Old Curiosity Shop" (Household Edition).—Charles Dickens.

By Charles Green, R.I.

By permission of Messrs. Chapman & Hall.

[Pg 328]

In 1888, Gilbert Dalziel, who had been working in the interests of the paper from the day it came into our hands, took over the journal, paying the sum of eight thousand pounds for it. He at once made considerable alterations in the conduct of the paper. Amongst his artistic staff were that powerful draughtsman, W. G. Baxter; Bernard Partridge, one of the most brilliant and deservedly popular black and white men of our time; Maurice Greiffenhagen, whose drawings had graced the pages of Judy from the day of his early studentship; Alfred Bryan, inimitable in his way; Fred Pegram, Raven Hill, F. H. Townsend, and Fred Barnard.

With such a list of artists at work week by week, small wonder that it should now be spoken of as "The Golden Period" of Judy.

In the pages of Judy, Charles H. Ross created the character of Ally Sloper and also of his friend Ikey Moses. In the early part of 1884, Gilbert Dalziel conceived and modelled a new publication, to be called the Half-Holiday, in which Ally Sloper was to be a leading character. It was finally decided, however, to add the Old Man's name to the title, and on May 3rd, 1884, Ally Sloper's Half-Holiday made its first appearance.

Amongst the many quaint features of the paper, perhaps the "Award of Merit" stands foremost. This decoration consists of a very clever design by W. G. Baxter, executed in colours, and has been presented to and accepted by men and women of the highest distinction in all branches of art, science, literature, music, and the professions generally.

[Pg 329]

"'You're the wax-work child, are you not?' said Miss Monflather.

"'Yes, ma'm,' replied Nell, colouring deeply."

"The Old Curiosity Shop" (Household Edition).—Charles Dickens.

By Charles Green, R.I.

By permission of Messrs. Chapman & Hall.

[Pg 330]

Gilbert Dalziel has in his possession a collection of autograph letters, in acknowledgment of the "Award," from some of the most eminent folks before the public during the latter part of the old century, amongst whom may be mentioned—Lord Tennyson, as representing Literature; Sir John E. Millais, Bart., P.R.A., for Painting and Drawing on Wood; Sir Arthur Sullivan, for Music; Sir Charles Russell, for Law; Arthur W. Pinero and Sir Henry Irving, for the Drama; Lord Charles Beresford, for the Navy; and Lord Roberts (when he was in command in India), for the Army.

Charles H. Bennett was one of the most original artists of his period. Alas! his life was all too short. There was an individual stamp about his work—independent in manner and full of deep thought. We had many of his drawings through our hands and knew him well. A more earnest man concerning his work we never met; and, not unlike Pinwell, he held it as a principle that time should never be allowed to enter into the question; the task should be defined, but never trammelled by, "How long will it take?"—whether it be days, weeks or years, for the proper execution of the project. Perhaps his "Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress" will rank as his greatest achievement.

We have already spoken of our connection with Messrs. Chapman & Hall, on that light feat of Doyle's, the "Panorama." There were also a very clever set of drawings for "Fairy Tales of all Nations," by Richard Doyle, and illustrations to Morley's "Oberon's Horn, and other Fairy Tales," by Charles H. Bennett, which we produced for the same firm.

[Pg 331]

"I made my way back to the 'Dolphin's Head.' In the gateway I found J. Mellows looking at nothing, and apparently experiencing that it failed to raise his spirits.

"'I don't care for the Town,' said J. Mellows, when I complimented him on the sanitary advantage it may or may not possess; 'I wish I had never seen the Town.'"

"The Uncommercial Traveller" (Household Edition).—Charles Dickens.

By E. G. Dalziel.

By permission of Messrs. Chapman & Hall.

[Pg 332]

When Charles Dickens abandoned the etchings of H. K. Browne as a means of illustrating his books, the next work, "Our Mutual Friend," was placed in the hands of Marcus Stone, whose father, Mr. Frank Stone, A.R.A., had for many years been a next-door neighbour and a very constant friend of Dickens. Some of these drawings, which are marked with all the refinement and good taste of this popular artist, were entrusted to us to engrave.

We were early engaged on the various editions of the works of Charles Dickens, commencing (through our friend, Ebenezer Landells,) with the wood engravings for "Master Humphrey's Clock," which were soon followed by those for the "Christmas Books" from drawings by Richard Doyle, John Leech, and Daniel Maclise.

But by far the most important commission ever placed in our hands by Messrs. Chapman & Hall was the production and entire control of the illustrations for the Household Edition of the Works of Charles Dickens, which was commenced in serial form in 1871 and completed in 1879, thus extending over a period of eight years. The publishers began the issue with "Pickwick," using the original designs by H. K. Browne ("Phiz"), but immediately after this Mr. Frederick Chapman placed the entire control of the illustrations in our hands. We were to find the best artists we considered suitable for the various works. The first selected was James Mahoney, who had already attained some distinction in drawing on wood. He did in all three books, the first being "Oliver Twist," followed by "Little Dorrit" and "Our Mutual Friend." Mahoney[Pg 333] had a firm, clear style of manipulation, and no one knew better than he how to make work look solid and firm by leaving large masses of white in his arrangement of colour. He painted some good water colours. We had several small examples, the most important of which is "A Bird of Prey," a repeat of one of his designs for "Our Mutual Friend." Charles Green, R.I., made a beautiful set of illustrations to "The Old Curiosity Shop." Every picture is carefully studied both as to character, scene, and subject; the picture of "Short and Codlin," with Nell and her Grandfather, being one of the most perfect. Green painted many very fine water colour pictures, several of which we were fortunate enough to possess.

"On the second occasion of my seeing him he said, huskily, to the man of sleep, 'Am I red to-night?' 'You are,' he uncompromisingly answered."

"The Uncommercial Traveller" (Household Edition).—Charles Dickens.

By E. G. Dalziel.

By permission of Messrs. Chapman & Hall.

[Pg 334]

Again on another occasion:

H. French, a clever and popular artist, the son of an accomplished wood engraver, who came of the Bewick school, did the pictures for "Hard Times," and very good they were.

[Pg 335]

"He stooped a little, and with his tattered blue cap pointed under the carriage. All his followers stooped to look under the carriage."

"A Tale of Two Cities" (Household Edition).—Charles Dickens.

By Frederick Barnard.

By permission of Messrs. Chapman & Hall.

[Pg 336]

F. A. Fraser, a well-known illustrator, made those for "Great Expectations."

A. B. Frost, an American artist of great ability, did "American Notes," and Gordon Thomson "Pictures from Italy." E. G. Dalziel undertook "Reprinted Pieces" and "The Uncommercial Traveller," as well as other short stories. Of "E. G. D.'s" work we will here quote two letters by distinguished artists in appreciation.

[Pg 337]

"'No matter! What do you mean, sir?' was the tart rejoinder. 'No matter! Do you think you bring your paltry money here as a favour or a gift; or as a matter of business, and in return for value received?'"

"Nicholas Nickleby" (Household Edition).—Charles Dickens.

By Frederick Barnard.

By permission of Messrs. Chapman & Hall.

[Pg 338]

But of all the artists engaged on this edition Frederick Barnard held the most prominent position, he having fully illustrated no less than nine out of twenty books.

Barnard ranks as one of England's truly comic artists; but he was not only comic, he was one of the most versatile artists of our time. He unquestionably stands among the foremost illustrators of Dickens. The many drawings he made for the Household Edition, as well as some larger pictures, illustrating the works of the great author, all possess a certain peculiarity: while the drawings are strictly in his own style, there is just enough resemblance to the figures created by H. K. Browne to save you a shock; the Dick Swiveller, the Bill Sykes, and other characters are the same as one had accepted when the stories were first written.

A powerful set of drawings are those for "How the Poor Live," which were commissioned by Gilbert Dalziel, in connection with G. R. Sims' articles, for publication in the Pictorial World.

Again, how grand are many of his designs for the "Pilgrim's Progress," which we prepared for Alexander Strahan; one of the most effective is "Lord Hategood," from which we commissioned him to paint an oil picture. Barnard was no mean painter: perhaps his "Saturday Night in the East End" and "The Guards' Band Marching" are amongst his most important works. He also painted a "Ball-room Scene," of an elegant character, from one of the Dickens' books, that had a very prominent place in the Institute of Painters in Oil Colours.

[Pg 339]

Our long connection with Barnard was of close intimacy and friendship; he was a delightful companion, amusing, and full of bright repartee, and would often "set the table in a roar."

As a mimic and comic singer he was inimitable. A favourite song of his at studio evenings was "I Long to be a Hartist, Mother," written by himself, we believe, and screamingly funny. As a practical jokist, Fred Barnard was simply au fait. On one occasion he called at Soane's Museum in Lincoln's Inn Fields, and asked the porter if Sir John Soane was at home. "Why, lor bless you, sir," said the man, "Sir John Soane has been dead these sixty years." Barnard was staggered at the news and overwhelmed with grief, and beating his breast he cried, "Dead! Dead! Dead! And we were boys at school together!"

His own death, poor chap, was tragic, and a great shock to all who knew him. He was an ardent smoker. One morning, having had breakfast in bed, he requested that he should not be disturbed again for some hours; when the servant went to call him there was no response, and on the door being forced open the room was found to be full of smoke, the bed-clothes smouldering fire. It is supposed that while courting further sleep he lit a pipe, which, falling from his mouth, ignited the clothes; although somewhat severely burnt, his death was, in fact, due to suffocation, and he passed away while in a state of insensibility.

[Pg 340]

George Dalziel

1901

From a Photograph by Grace and Dora Dalziel.

[Pg 341]

Edward Dalziel

1901

From a Photograph by Grace and Dora Dalziel.

[Pg 342]

Thomas BGS Dalziel 1901

From a Photograph by Lovel Dalziel.

OUR PUPILS.

Early in the year 1844 we took our first pupil, Francis Fricker, a very steady, industrious fellow, who was always punctual and reliable. He became a good engraver, and remained with us, without intermission—with the exception of two or three weeks' holiday in each year, which we made a practice of giving to all our pupils—until we broke up our establishment in 1893.

Being all draughtsmen ourselves, we did not take pupils specially for engraving alone; although, from our earliest days, we made it a rule to place any commission that was intrusted to us in the hands of the best artists we could find, whose peculiar ability suited them for the subject in question.

Nevertheless, we established a school to teach our pupils drawing. We got together a good collection of plaster casts—the best obtainable; also other matter suitable for study from the flat and round; works on "Anatomy," on "Beauty," and on "Perspective." We also provided all the materials for working free of cost. The engraver's day at that time was a long one—nine hours—and the drawing only began after the day's work had been finished; and to this, perhaps, is due the fact that all did not avail themselves of what had been planned[Pg 344] for them. The pupils who did attend the meetings, and who doubtless possessed the stronger love of art, benefitted to no small extent.

Among those who availed themselves of these advantages were Harry Fenn and Charles Kingdon, two of our earliest and very cleverest pupils. Soon after they completed their term with us they took ship to Canada, having determined to visit the principal cities there and in the United States of America. This they did, settling in New York City, where they soon found profitable employment.

Harry Fenn took at once to drawing on wood and water colour painting, making very rapid progress in both branches of art, and soon becoming the most popular landscape draughtsman in America. It was he who projected, planned, and made all the drawings for "Picturesque America." It came about in this way. He was dining with the well-known publisher, D. Appleton, who, during conversation, regretted that America did not afford such fine material for landscape art as the Old Country—that there was, in fact, nothing picturesque in America. Fenn said: "Give me the chance and you shall see what a variety of beautiful material you have got in America." The reply was: "Well, you shall have a try if you like. Do a few drawings and let us see." Fenn made a few drawings, which encouraged the publisher to carry out the idea; and he did a work which was, perhaps, one of the most brilliantly successful illustrated books ever published, and the forerunner of several[Pg 345] similar works, all of which were filled with beautiful examples of his skilful pencil. He still continues to be a popular black and white artist, but devotes much time to painting in water colours.

Joseph Pennell, in his "Modern Illustration," says, "Henry Fenn's illustrations to 'Picturesque America' entitle him to be called the Nestor of his Guild, not only for the delicacy, truth and refinement of his drawing, but also because of the enormous success of the publication."

Charles Kingdon, by far the best engraver of the two, was also very popular in America, but he was of a restless nature and had not the persistent industry of his companion. He died young, and in his death the world lost a brilliant young artist. He married an American lady soon after settling there, and it is worthy of mention, so we have been told, that his daughter, who evidently inherited her father's art instincts and good looks—for Kingdon was a very handsome fellow—was a popular member of the celebrated Augustin Daly's company, and became the wife of an American millionaire.

Another of the most industrious and constant workers was George G. Kilburne, who, soon after completing his engagement with us, gave up engraving altogether and took to painting—mostly in water colours—in which he has long held a prominent position in the Royal Institute of Painters in Water Colours, as well as being a very frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy. He was one of[Pg 346] the most satisfactory pupils we ever had. He took up engraving with great aptitude, and from the day he came to us his work was always good. Only the second drawing given to him to work upon was so perfect, that it was published with the set to which it belonged. A peculiarity with Kilburne was that if he were asked to do anything, you found him doing it immediately; with him no time was wanted for preparation. Though he left our studio and forsook the branch of art we taught him, our connection, instead of being severed, became the closer by his marrying the elder daughter of our late brother Robert.

Charles A. Ferrier, a young Scotchman of varied capabilities, who had made some small efforts at wood engraving in his native town of Arbroath, without instruction, came to us to seek employment through an introduction he had obtained to William Harvey. He was a youth of considerable promise and full of enthusiasm for his art. Though the specimens he had to show were very crude, he had evidently been looked upon as a genius by his Scottish friends; but on entering our studio he was indefatigable in his studies, and eager for improvement. Before he had been two months with us he became London correspondent to an Arbroath weekly paper. This letter he generally knocked off during the hour allowed for dinner in the middle of the day. We have reason to believe he turned his attention very much to scientific subjects, and became a Fellow of more than one of the learned Societies. During the whole of his life he has been a staunch[Pg 347] teetotaler, and has worked hard in the temperance cause. He became the personal friend of George Cruikshank, Dr. Richardson, and many scientific people, who preferred him as an engraver because of the knowledge he possessed of the objects he had to work upon. Taken altogether, Ferrier became one of the most remarkable men who had their beginning in our studio.

"W. Y.," a pupil whose name for obvious reasons we will not give, came to us when about nineteen years of age. He was a member of a good county family—a younger son; he had good taste for art and some skill as a draughtsman. By the wish of his elder brother, he was put with us to learn engraving. His development in our art was simply wonderful, his manipulative power was quite extraordinary; it was the one case in our experience where it seemed as if the pupil had come to teach the masters. He was steady, punctual to his long day's work, and in every way exemplary, a gentleman in manner, and a great favourite with all the assistants and other pupils; but it was known to his fellow-workers that at a certain date he was to come into a considerable sum of money, and he had often said that when he got it, "then farewell to industry, to art, and to respectability." His words were: "When I get it I will let fly." And, sad to relate, he did "let fly." He had been working out of our studio for some two or three months, when he suddenly disappeared, and the last we heard of him was that he was spending his time,[Pg 348] and his money chiefly in the immediate vicinity of the Surrey Theatre, and that in an adjacent public-house bar he was seen lighting his pipe with a five pound note. Poor fellow! It was the old, old story—the drink—the drink that did it.

Alexander Aitcheson Dalziel and John Sanderson Dalziel, the two sons of our brother Robert, also, on leaving school, became pupils to learn wood engraving. The elder brother, Alexander, shortly after completing his term, married and went out to South Africa, where for a time he coupled scholastic work with his engraving; but after a bit he gave up art altogether and went on with his teaching only—while John emigrated to America, and settled down in Philadelphia for many years, where he executed a large number of elaborate, highly-finished works, chiefly of a scientific character, much of which has been reproduced in this country. At the time we write he is turning his attention to fruit culture in Colorado.

A. W. Bayes was introduced to us by H. Stacy Marks, R.A., as a young man who had been engaged as a draughtsman at some manufacturing works in the country, and had shown a wonderful capacity for design. We could not say he came to us as a pupil; but whatever progress he made in our studio was the result of the practice derived from the subjects given to him, and owing to the advantage of his seeing a great variety of drawings by the leading artists of the time. He was very in[Pg 349]dustrious and very rapid. He worked with us for many years, until, for the further development in painting and other branches of his art, he found it an advantage to have a place of his own. With us he had illustrated a number of children's books, the most important being the works of Hans Christian Andersen, for which he made a very large number of drawings. These books went through many editions. He also made a set of drawings from Bible history, and another set from the New Testament, all of which were published for us by Messrs. Routledge, Warne & Co., with a fair amount of success. Bayes for some years has devoted himself almost entirely to painting in oil, and has produced many important works—chiefly of a historical order.

Phil Ebbutt came to us on the recommendation of our friend George R. Sims. He had a natural taste for drawing, and was quick at design. He worked much on our publication, Jack and Jill, including political cartoons, and romances strictly historical. He also made many drawings for Fun, which were mostly of a social character. In all he was an industrious, willing worker, but his progress was hindered by an affection of the eyes, which now and again demanded complete rest; though that, for a time, was got over and he went to work again. He also made many drawings as book illustrations, and was one of the original artists on the Daily Graphic, working for the first number of that journal. But the eye trouble again caused him to terminate so[Pg 350] close a connection, and he continued as an occasional contributor only. He still holds a prominent place as a journalistic artist, doing much good work.

Hal Ludlow as a boy showed great taste and skill in drawing. His friends wished him to be a wood engraver and placed him with us as an apprentice for that purpose; but he made little or no progress in that branch and was soon put to drawing entirely, and very quickly developed as a clever designer. He made hundreds of drawings for children's and other books; some of the former were carried out in colours—what are generally known as "Toy Books." He soon became an expert in pure pen and ink work, and when the Pictorial World was under our control, made a large number of careful drawings of social life—many of every-day events, notably river and race scenes. He also made many important drawings of theatrical representations—new plays, opera and music hall subjects. His work had become so popular that Mason Jackson came to us on behalf of the Illustrated London News, to know if we would allow Ludlow to make drawings on wood for that journal, saying, "it was a pity that such clever drawings should all be reproduced by process," which he regarded as an inferior manner of rendering them. What a change has come since that period! How completely has the then-thought "superior" manner had to stand aside for the "inferior"! We may here state that, in the long past, we always thought that some automatic process would be[Pg 351] perfected for the proper reproduction of point work, or what was always known as "facsimile" drawing. Of Ludlow's work as a popular designer and painter, it is not necessary to speak further than to say that his smaller water colours rival in grace and minute finish the work of Jan Van Beers.

George Gatcombe was a companion and friend of Phil Ebbutt, and through that fact came to us. He showed an early taste for drawing, was from the first a very rapid workman, and soon developed to an extent that made his work suitable for publication. We gave him an opportunity by the introduction of his work on Fun, in which he evinced a distinct capacity for the elegant in his social pictures. He made many illustrations for books; and did much at various times for "Hood's Annual." Some of his political cartoons, too, showed a distinct taste in that direction. He also produced several designs of a historical character. Gatcombe is a good all-round black and white artist.

Among the many other pupils and assistants who have passed through our studios, and proved themselves steady and accomplished artists, we must not omit to mention Harry Leighton, E. J. Wallis, who has lately turned his attention very successfully to landscape photography, Walter Williams, William Arrowsmith, and James Clark, who, like his fellow-pupil Frank Fricker, remained with us for over forty years.

[Pg 352]

THE PRINTING OFFICE.

With the object of printing our own "Fine Art Books," early in the year 1857 we decided to set up a small printing office, which necessitated our obtaining much more extensive accommodation than we at that time possessed. We secured a long lease of the premises, 110—at that time known as 53—High Street, Camden Town, and under the style and title of The Camden Press gradually built up a large printing and publishing business. During nearly forty years of varied experience in this branch of the business, we printed a great number of important works for other publishers, as well as our own. Amongst the very last of these was "Dalziel's Bible Gallery."

The Camden Press, where this book was printed, is now in the hands of Charles and Harvey Dalziel. It fully maintains its repute for high-class art work, after the manner of the old firm, but "running to numbers" such as were never dreamt of in the days of

Dalziel Brothers

[Pg 353]

LIST OF
FINE ART AND OTHER ILLUSTRATED BOOKS
PRODUCED BY AND UNDER THE ENTIRE SUPERINTENDENCE OF THE BROTHERS DALZIEL.

FINE ART BOOKS
PARTLY THE WORK OF THE BROTHERS DALZIEL.

INDEX.

His Gracious Majesty, King Edward VII. (The Prince of Wales), 35


Absolon, John, R.I., 27, 28

Ainsworth, Harrison, 76

Alford, Dean, 54

Allan, Sir William, R.A., P.R.S.A., 26

Allingham, William, 86, 192

Andrews, G. H., R.W.S., 178

Ansdell, Richard, R.A., 160

Appleton, Messrs. D., & Co., 180, 344


Barnard, Frederick, 308, 328, 339

Barry, Sir Charles, R.A., 114

Baxter, W. G., 328

Bayes, A. W., 348

Bell, Sir Charles, 14

Bennett, Charles H., 330

Bentley, Richard, 124, 132

Beresford, Sir Charlesv, 330

Bewick, Thomas, 8, 10, 12, 13

Black, Adam & Charlesv, 34

Blackwood, Messrs. William, & Sons, 132

Blanchard, Leman, 292

Blomfield, Dr., Bishop of London, 49

Bogue, David, 17, 28

Bohn, Henry G., 30

Boucher, W., 318

Boughton, G. H., R.A., 160

Boyce, George, R.W.S., 114

Bradbury & Evans, 6, 82

Braddon, Miss, 19

Brewtnall, E. F., R.W.S., 254, 264

Browne, Hablot K., 8, 332, 338

Brunton, W. S., 314

Bryan, Alfred, 328

Bryant, William Cullen, 180

Buchanan, Robert, 158, 212

Burne-Jones, Sir Edward, 81, 161, 163, 254

Burton, Sir F. W., 168

Byron, Lord, 94

Byron, Henry J., 292


Cadell, of Edinburgh, 26, 29

Carrol, Lewis (Rev. C. Dodgson), 126

Chapman & Hall, 330, 332

Christie, Alexander, 26

Claxton, Florence and Adelaide, 188

Clay & Sons, 266

Clayton, John R., 19, 114, 180

Colburn, 132

Cole, Sir Henry, 28

Coleman, W. S., 270

Coleridge, Samuel, 94

Colvin, Sydney, 156

Cook, Dutton, 292

Cook, Nathaniel, 40

Corbould, Edward H., R.I., 26, 34, 122

Cornwall, Barry, 124

Creswick, Thomas, R.A., 17

Cruikshank, George, 16, 44, 49

Cundall, Joseph, 28, 102


Daly, Augustin, 345

Dalziel, Alexander A., 348

Dalziel, Charles, 294

Dalziel, E. G., 192, 218, 264

Dalziel, Gilbert, 326, 328, 338

Dalziel, John S., 348

Dalziel, Margaret, 19

Dalziel, Thomas, 13, 122, 187, 222, 228, 230, 235

Davis, Mrs. Charles, 224

Dickens, Charles, 48, 193, 194, 212, 330, 332, 338

Dicks, William, 25, 26

Dodgson, George, R.W.S., 27, 116, 120, 122

Dodgson, Rev. C., 126

Doré, Gustave, 180, 324

Doyle, Richard, 40, 58, 63, 82, 134, 308

[Pg 357]Doyle, Henry, C.B., 308

Dulcken, Dr. H. W., 116, 226

Du Maurier, George, 180

Duncan, Edward, R.W.S., 114, 116, 122

Dunraven, Earl, 314

Duval, Marie, 320


Eastlake, Sir Charles Lock, P.R.A., 14

Ebbutt, Phil, 349

Elmore, Alfred, R.A., 27

Evans, Edmund, 10

Everet, Allen E., 204, 205


Fenn, Harry, 344

Ferrier, Charles Anderson, 346

Foster, Birket, 17, 114, 124, 138, 140, 149, 150, 156, 172, 176, 180, 193, 196

Franklin, John, 26, 27, 28, 36

Fraser, F. A., 312

Fraser, Gordon, 312

French, Harry, 312

Fricker, Francis, 343

Frith, W. P., R.A., 44

Frost, A. B., 126

Frost, W. E., R.A., 54, 55


Gatcombe, George, 312, 351

Gilbert, Sir John, R.A., P.R.W.S., 8, 16, 30, 31, 41, 68, 122, 124, 178, 182, 193, 310, 336

Gilbert, W. S., 284

Gordon, General, 302

Graham, Tom, 158, 188

Gray, Charles, 2, 10

Gray, Paul, 307

Green, Charles, R.I., 334

Green, Towneley, R.I., 266

Griset, Ernest, 313

Grove, Sir George, 260

Guthrie, Dr. Thomas, 156


Hall, S. Carter, 36, 37

Halswell, Keeley, 184

Hans Breitmann (Charles Leland), 290

Harding. J. D., 122

Harris, Sir Augustus, 292

Harvey, William, 8, 12, 14, 16, 17, 21, 122, 196, 266

Haydon, Benjamin, 14

Herkomer, Hubert von, R.A., 202, 205, 206, 310

Hill, Raven, 328

Hogg, James, Junr., 188

Hogg, John, 188

Hood, Tom, 272, 278, 286, 288, 293, 314

Hook, J. C., R.A., 54, 56

Horsley, H. C., R.A., 29

Houghton, A. Boyd, R.W.S., 42, 81, 110, 192, 218, 220, 228, 234

How & Parsons, Messrs., 36

Hughes, Arthur, 87, 91, 192

Hunt, Holman, 86, 162, 176, 177

Hunt, Leigh, 134


Illustrated London News, 6, 17, 40

Ingelow, Jean, 212

Ingram & Cook, 116

Ingram, Herbert, 6, 8, 40

Irving, Sir Henry, 296, 330


Jackson, Mason, 350

Jerrold, Douglas, 6, 8, 11

Judkin, Rev. T. J., 54


Keene, Charles, 114, 178

Kilburne, George G., R.I., 345

Kingdon, Charles, 345

Knight, Charles, 15, 17, 22


Lance, George, 14

Landells, Ebenezer, 4, 6, 10, 66, 138, 332

Landells, Robert, 12

Landseer, Sir Edwin, R.A., 14

Lawless, J. M., 236

Lawson, J., 236

Lear, Edward, 317

Leech, John, 6, 41, 42, 44, 332

Leigh, Henry S., 282

Leighton, Lord, P.R.A., 42, 81, 134, 149, 237

Leland, Charles H., 290

Lemon, Mark, 8

Lewis, Arthur, 114

Linton, Sir James D., P.R.I., 266

Longman, Messrs., & Co., 125

Lover, Samuel 18, 19

Lucas, J. Seymour, R.A., 160

Ludlow, Hal, 310, 350


Macdonald, Dr. George, 192

[Pg 358]Mackay, Dr. Charles, 69, 116

Macleod, Dr. Norman, 156

Maclise, Daniel, R.A., 332

Macmillan, Messrs., & Co., 86

Madox Brown, Ford, 120, 122, 252

Marks, Stacy, R.A., 178, 192, 348

Maxwell, John, 19

Mayhew, The Brothers, 8

McConnell, William, 190

McIan, Robert, 26

MacWhirter, J., R.A., 158

Meadows, Kenny,16, 38

Menzel, Herr Adolf, 16

Millais, Sir John Everett, P.R.A., 42, 81, 94, 102, 104, 119, 123, 142, 143, 158, 188, 226, 330, 336

Millais, Lady, 105, 106

Morley, Professor Henry, 330

Moxon, Edward, 82, 83, 86

Muloch, Miss (Mrs. Craik), 198

Mulready, William, R.A., 28

Murch, A., 254

Murray, John, 15


Napoleon III., Emperor, 146, 148

Nelson, Messrs. Thomas, & Sons, 184

Nelson, William, 186

Nisbet, J., & Co., 70, 110

North, J. W., A.R.A., 17, 194, 196

Novello, Ewer, Messrs., & Co., 192


Orchardson, W. Q., R.A., 158

Owen, Sir Richard, 190


Partridge, Bernard, 328

Pasquier, J. A., 190

Paton, Sir J. Noel, P.R.S.A., 36, 108, 126

Pegram, Fred, 328

Pettie, John, R.A., 155, 158, 188

Pickersgill, F. R., R.A., 27, 53, 114, 124, 160

Pinero, A. W., 330

Pinwell, G. J., R.W.S., 81, 190, 192, 210, 216, 235

Powell, J. H., 114

Poynter, Sir Edward J., P.R.A., 42, 81, 234, 246, 252

Prior, J., 16

Prior, Melton, 16

Proctor, John, 318

Prowse, Jeffrey, 288, 307


Ralston, John, 264

Ramsay, J., 23

Richardson, Dr. W. B., 52, 347

Roberts Brothers, 234

Ross, Charles H., 318, 322

Rossetti, Christina, 90, 91

Rossetti, Dante G., 81, 86

Rossetti, W. M., 90

Routledge, Messrs. George, & Sons, 30, 86, 92, 98, 139, 142, 152, 168, 266, 271, 317

Ruskin, John, 134, 154, 156

Russell, Lord, of Killowen (Sir Charles Russell), 330


Sala, George Augustus, 136, 286

Sampson, Henry, 293, 296, 317

Sandys, Frederick, 81, 134, 178, 190, 258, 262

Scott, Clement, 286

Scott, Sir Gilbert, R.A., 114

Scott, Sir Walter, 17, 26

Scott, W. Bell, 36

Sims, George R., 293, 296, 338

Sketchley, Arthur, 286

Small, William, 234, 235, 264, 312

Smith, Elder, Messrs., & Co., 134, 136

Smith, George Murray, 134

Smith, J. Orrin, 38

Stanfield, Clarkson, R.A., 25, 26, 54

Staunton, Howard, 72

Stephens, J., 226

Stirling, Madame Antoinette, 186

Stone, Marcus, R.A., 332

Strahan, Alexander, 98, 156, 158, 163, 170, 235, 264

Sullivan, Sir Arthur, 330

Sullivan, J. F., 312

Summerly, Felix (Sir Henry Cole), 28

Swain, Joseph, 44


Taylor, Frederick, P.R.W.S., 29

Taylor, Tom, 143, 144

Tenniel, Sir John, 26, 47, 114, 120, 124, 126, 128, 130

Tennyson, Alfred, Lord, 83, 142, 330

Tennyson, Lady, 143

Thackeray, W. M., 44, 58, 205

Thomas, George, 41

[Pg 359]Thompson, of Duddingston, 1

Thompson, John, 15

Thomson, Gordon, 188, 308, 312, 336

Topham, F. W., 27, 116

Townsend, F. H., 328

Trollope, Anthony, 81

Tuck, Harry, 312

Tupper, Martin F., 124

Turner, Godfrey, 292


Van Voorst, 28


Walker, Frederick, A.R.A., R.W.S., 17, 43, 81, 176, 193, 196, 205, 234

Walker, F. S., R.H.A., 312

Ward, E. M., R.A., 37, 54

Ward & Lock, Messrs., 230

Warne, Messrs. Frederick, & Sons, 30, 34

Warne, William, 32

Warren, Ernest, 320

Warren, Henry, P.R.I., 36

Watson, J. D., R.W.S., 165, 174, 176, 188, 226, 236

Watts, G. F., R.A., 244, 245, 252

Weigand, W. J., 308

Weir, Harrison, 122, 178, 182

Wells, H. T., R.A., 114

Whymper, J. W., 193, 230

Wilkie, Sir David, R.A., 26

Williams ——, 134

Wilson, Professor J. (Christopher North), 188

Wolf, Joseph, 114, 182, 234, 266, 268

Wood, Rev. J. G., 266, 268

Wordsworth, William, 182

Wylam, Edward, 272, 308

"W. Y.", 347


Yates, Edmund, 286


Zwecker, J. B., 190, 270