Page:Pen And Pencil Sketches - Volume I.djvu/47

Rh could be found. This sounds oddly now, but, if my memory does not deceive me, there were but two private art schools in London at the time — Carey’s and Leigh’s. It is scarcely incorrect to say there are more art schools to-day than students then. Carey’s was more widely known, having been earlier established than Leigh’s, but his charges were too high. It must have been through Lance, the fruit- painter, a friend of my father’s, and the artist whom I first saw, that Leigh’s was discovered. Mr. Dick- enson had day-classes for ladies at 18 Maddox Street. The evenings being to let, were taken by some rebellious students of Somerset House, where the National School of Design had been established in 1837. J.R. Herbert, R.A., was, I believe, the leader of the rebellion (regarding the details of which I am ignorant). He was a friend of J. M. Leigh’s, who, under his influence, became an art teacher.

I felt nervous and self-conscious in beginning work at Maddox Street ; all was new and strange. I had never mixed before with art students, but I soon got on with these, spite of their chaff, and formed with some acquaintances and friendships which have lasted until now. Of these I will only mention H.T. Wells, R.A., H.H. Armstead, R.A., F. Smallfield, of the Old Water Colour Society, and John R. Clayton. It was here I found that I was short-sighted and must take to