Page:The Story of the House of Cassell (book).djvu/149

 most important pictures in British and Continental galleries have become accessible to the public.

The development of direct colour photography has also played an important part in the art of illustration, particularly in connexion with "Nature Study" work. Although the problem of securing a contact colour-print from an autochrome negative has yet to be solved, its successful reproduction by means of the three-colour process is an accomplished fact. The wonderful plates of wild flowers secured by the late Mr. Essenhigh Corke, of wild birds by Mr. Richard Kearton, and of under-water life by Dr. Francis Ward have revolutionized the illustration of natural history text-books.

The artists of eminence who have contributed to the publications of the House are legion. Of one of them. Sir John Millais, Mr. Bale records a characteristic reminiscence. "About thirty years ago," he writes, "the House published some songs composed by Henry Leslie. They were originally in two volumes, and Millais, who was an intimate friend of Leslie's, suggested to him that he should put the two small volumes into one and add a few more new songs to give fresh interest to the work, and promised that when this should be done he would design a frontispiece for the volume. After a time Leslie wrote to Sir John to say that he had taken his advice, the new book was ready, and now for the promised frontispiece. It happened that Millais was just at that moment very much pressed with work and could not give the time to make a new drawing, but he invited his friend to go to his house and look over such things as he had and see if there was anything that would answer his purpose, generously adding that he would be welcome to anything he saw.

"Mr. Leslie came to me asking me to go over with him to Millais's house, as he was no judge of what would be suitable for a frontispiece. I knew Sir John very well, and was delighted to get the opportunity of looking through unknown sketches and drawings. We went early