Page:Pen And Pencil Sketches - Volume I.djvu/21

xx pages

sion — Pilgrimage to Haworth, the home of the Brontes — Sermon by Charlotte Bronte’s father — “Tykes” and Cock- neys— Yorkshire hospitality — The Yorkshire rough — From church to theatre — The frieze at the Gaiety Theatre — Painting under difficulties — “ Shakespeare between Tragedy and Comedy” at the Theatre Royal, Manchester — The frieze outside the Albert Hall— “The Bookworm” — Lord Crewe — Other decorative works — Introduction to the Duke of Westminster — Visit to Eaton — “Canterbury Pilgrims” — Sleepless and appalled by the magnitude of the task — How the prodigious picture was painted — The late John O’Connor — “ How would a room of birds look?” — Another commis- sion from the Duke — Gratifying success of the exhibition of the birds for Eaton — A “kindly, considerate, and sympa- thetic” patron — Decorated furniture for the late W. Burges, the architect — The quaint decoration, by various eminent hands, of Burges’s rooms — His rare abilities, and charming and interesting character — Described in a nonsense verse by Dante Rossetti — His death shortly after being chosen A.R.A 202-223

CHAPTER XIII

ROYAL ACADEMY— OLD WATER-COLOUR

French students and English — The R.A, student forty years ago — Mr, Woodington — A notable medal night — A malcon- tent demonstration — The students far from wrong — Epigram — Changes — Students’ suppers — An Election Night at the R.A. — Process — Models waiting for the news — Associate Election Night at the Arts — Incidents of the election of Marks, A.R.A. — The wide-awake model — Woolner and Walker — Reception and Diploma — Varnishing days — Luncheon — The two toasts — Contributions to the convivial board — Shakespearian motto for a cigar-box — Three Presi- dents of the R.A. — Anecdote of Sir Francis Grant — His funeral — Sir Frederick Leighton: an old friend — PI is well-