FORDHAM. 1882.
Returning in the train, from one of my visits to the "Varsity," I fell asleep and passed the junction where I should have changed. I awoke, hearing a noise overhead, followed by the disappearance of the lamps, a fact that I did not pay much attention to, imagining they were being replenished. These sounds were followed by a clinking of chains and sudden jerks, which usually accompany the process of shunting, and which I thought meant that another train was being coupled to the one I occupied. A complete silence followed, and after a short interval—I was alone in the carriage—I opened the window and looked out, and discovered that my carriage and its immediate neighbours, had been shunted into a siding for the night. I was feeling extremely cold and did not care to risk a walk of an exploring nature, as express trains kept flashing by and the night was dark. Presently I saw men with lamps passing by some distance away, and by dint of shouting loudly, I attracted the attention of a porter, who called out when he saw me—
"What are you doin' there? Get out of that!"
"I shall be only too delighted," I said, when he approached. "I've been here for an hour."
I felt cold and simply furious. However, I followed the porter very gingerly over the rails to the station, where I had to wait a long time, and finally arrived in London at an unearthly hour. Since then I have been very wary of sleeping in trains.
In the House.—Distinguished soldiers.—The main Lobby.—The Irish Party.—Isaac Butt.—Mr. Mitchell Henry.—Parnell and Dillon.—Gladstone and Disraeli.—Lord Arthur Hill.—Lord Alexander Paget.—Viscount Midleton.—Mr. Seely.—Lord Alington's cartoon.—Chaplains of the "House"—Rev. F. E. C. Byng.—Archdeacon Wilberforce.—The "Fourth Party."—Lord Northbrook and Col. Napier Sturt.—Lord Lytton.—The method of Millais.—Lord Londonderry.
In the House.—Distinguished soldiers.—The main Lobby.—The Irish Party.—Isaac Butt.—Mr. Mitchell Henry.—Parnell and Dillon.—Gladstone and Disraeli.—Lord Arthur Hill.—Lord Alexander Paget.—Viscount Midleton.—Mr. Seely.—Lord Alington's cartoon.—Chaplains of the "House"—Rev. F. E. C. Byng.—Archdeacon Wilberforce.—The "Fourth Party."—Lord Northbrook and Col. Napier Sturt.—Lord Lytton.—The method of Millais.—Lord Londonderry.
Although from the year 1873, I had drawn all the cartoons inVanity Fair, and Mr. Gibson Bowles had procured a privileged pass for me in the inner lobby of the House of Commons for the purpose of studying the characteristics of my parliamentary subjects, the same facilities were accorded me through Mr. Palgrave (Clerk of the Desk), where for the two following years I was making drawings and portraits for theGraphic.
In 1876 I returned toVanity Fair, permanently and exclusively to work for that publication, when Pellegrini and I shared our labours pretty equally until his health gave way and he became a chronic invalid, so that for some years before his death I was responsible for most of the cartoons in the paper. Of course, actual sketching or the use of the pencil in both assemblies was prohibited (for the privilege of a pass was also accorded me in the House of Lords through the courtesy of the Black Rod) but after careful observation I was always able to go home and express on paper the result.
I must not forget that in 1903, after the bomb explosion in Westminster Hall, that the number of people admitted to the inner lobby was considerably reduced, in fact, from that time to the present the strangers are few and far between, but although my permit was limited to two days a week my name remained in the lobby-list until I retired from the paper in the latter part of 1909.
In "the House" I found that generally speaking members were very much occupied with the affairs of the moment, and usually quite unconscious of one's observance; but when it came to the point of special study of a subject for the purpose of caricature, it was by no means easy to find him or to watch him under such circumstances as enabled me to arrive at the knowledge necessary for my purpose and still leave him unaware. However, I found more than one "kind friend at court" do me good service. Amongst these Sir A. W. Clifford, Black Rod, was most courteous and helpful in the House of Lords, and always ready to find me a place—usually under the gallery. I came to know his face really well, and caricatured him with faithful directness and in full uniform. By great good fortune, Mr. Gibson Bowles was my editor, and he would occasionally inveigle a subject of rare promise to my lair. The Sergeant-at-Arms is always the man in power in the House of Commons. I have a most grateful remembrance of much courtesy received from the present occupant of that post of honour, Captain Erskine, but in the days of which I now write, Mr. Gosset—always depicted by Harry Furniss as a beetle—was in authority, and most kind in trying to place me at the best point for observation, usually under the Speaker's gallery.But quite the most desirable hunting-ground in the House just then was his own room. There he held quite a court, and among his intimates were many distinguished men whom nature and the circumstance of dress had designed for the caricaturist's art.
Among them was Isaac Butt, M.P. for Limerick, a pioneer of the Home Rule movement, and a most popular man, endowed with a charm of frankness and simple good fellowship which endeared him to all who knew him. He told most amusing stories, and as an advocate he defended O'Brien and almost every Irish political prisoner of note. He was described by "Jehu Junior" as the man who "invented Home Rule" ... an attempt to dismember the Empire, and to found in Ireland a Commune of Paris on a larger scale. When I observed him first I was struck by the unusual formation of his ears which bulged in an extraordinary manner, and also by his habit of fidgeting with an open penknife which he always carried in his hand, and continuously opened and shut in the same absent-minded manner in which some people fidget with a watch-chain; the habit found its place in my caricature, and proved a great surprise to the subject.
Among the Irish members I caricatured Mr. Mitchell Henry who led the Home Rule Party in '79, but afterwards "ratted." He gave me three sittings, but was afterwards heard to say that he did not know "where the devil that fellow got hold of him!" I got to know him after extremely well, and accepted his hospitality on more than one occasion. He was very wealthy at one time, and up to the last collected every relic of Dr. Johnson he could lay hands on. My father had also takena very great interest in anything connected with the great man and had painted several events in his life, of which I suppose the best known is "Dr. Johnson in the Anti-chamber of the Earl of Chesterfield," now in the Tate Gallery. At his death I sold to him a very interesting study from one of these pictures.
MR GLADSTONE. 1887.
At the request of Mr. Bowles I went over to Dublin to make a special picture of Parnell and Dillon in Kilmainham Gaol. I had letters of introduction to both, and Parnell wrote to my hotel a very charming letter of acquiescence in answer to my request for an interview, which letter I greatly regret that I have had the misfortune to mislay. Then I received a second letter in which he informed me that he had heard that he would not be allowed to see me alone in prison, but that a warder would have to be present the whole time, and under the circumstance he was forced to decline my request. It was within the bond of my contract with Mr. Bowles that I should not be required to place the signature "Spy" on any drawing that was not the outcome of personal observation of the subject required, so I gave it up, and the Parnell-Dillon cartoon which appeared inVanity Fairwas from the clever imagination of Harry Furniss. I remember Parnell as a carelessly dressed man with good features, a fine head with a high forehead and eyes both striking and piercing, but not altogether pleasant in expression. I was in the law-courts when the Piggott case was on, and opposite to me was the celebrated Royal Academician, Philip Calderon, who was studying him with the intention of making a large picture of the court commissioned by theGraphic, but it was never finished or produced as a sketch.
When theVanity Faircartoons were put up for sale at Christie's the only one of my series (curiously enough) that failed to find a bidder was the drawing of Piggott, although it was one of my most successful studies, from a sketch as he stood in the witness-box.
Gladstone and Disraeli I drew in black and white, of course many years before, for theGraphic, and on subsequent occasions forVanity Fair. As a careful observation of the movement of my subject is always necessary, one day in talking to Monty Corry I told him I was on the look-out for an opportunity to complete my study of his chief, whom I wished to observe at a distance sufficiently near and far to get his gait. He said that they would be leaving Downing Street for the House of Lords together at a certain hour, and he suggested that I should follow them or walk on the opposite side of the road. At the appointed time I was at my post and keenly watched them start, Disraeli leaning on Monty Corry's arm. As they strolled towards the House of Lords I followed along on the other side, mentally taking in their movements and completing my impression of the great leader and his secretary. Also at the request of Mr. Monty Corry, Disraeli's valet gave me an opportunity of inspecting the coat with the astrachan collar which seemed to hold a share in its owner's strong individuality, and from these observations I made the caricature "Power and Place" which appeared in due course inVanity Fair, and was published in a special number.
That the character of the man may be seen in his walk I have frequently proved, though never more clearly than through the two most distinguished statesmen of their generation; Disraeli walked, orappeared to walk, on his heels as though he were avoiding hot ashes. In strongest contrast was the walk of Gladstone, who planted his feet with deliberate but most vigorous firmness as though with every step he would iron his strong opinion into the mind of the nation.
"DIZZY" AND "MONTY" CORRY (LORD ROWTON).
À proposof caricature and movement, Lord Arthur Hill presented some difficulty to the caricaturist because he was so charged with movement that he never appeared to pause for a moment. His leading feature was his stride which seemed, and was, of tremendous length. He also had a very long neck and a curiously flat head, and he always seemed to walk as though he saw a stout wall in front of him and was full of determination to get through it. My caricature is just one long stride.
Man's dress is very much more commonplace than it used to be, and nowadays clothes seldom help out the artist, but in the days of which I write the exaggerated styles or idiosyncrasies in some apparently trivial detail of male attire made all the difference in the world to the caricaturist, and many of the older peers, country squires and occasional eccentric gentlemen retained the old-fashioned habits of dress in spite of the wisdom or folly of fashion. Gladstone, of course, was the making of many caricaturists, the lion-like striking face in the setting of the high collar was a picture in ten thousand. I drew the "Grand Old Man" over and over again from sheer interest, his face had the strongest fascination for me. I watched it change with the years; and year by year the unusual collar grew less in dimensions and in importance to the caricaturist, as the character pencilled itself about the features of the wonderful old face.
Also among clothes-subjects was Mr. John Laird, member of Parliament, who was a superlative delight to the caricaturist, for his clothes were unique even among the remarkable, his usual costume consisting of a long-tailed frock-coat covered by a short pea-jacket which extended only a little beyond his waist.
Lord Alexander Paget—the father of the present Lord Anglesey—known to his friends as "Dandy Paget," was a very smart man of the best type. He wore a hat with a very curly brim, and dressed in very loud checks; but he could wear what he liked, for he always "looked right." I stayed a week-end with him in Cheshire, and while there he obliged me by showing me his wonderful wardrobe in which I never saw a more varied selection, and I soon hit on the suit which I thought the most effective for my purpose. This was the one with the biggest check of all, and with the peggiest of peg-top trousers.
Also for rare habilatory peculiarity, the uncle of "the Dasher" (the late Earl of Portarlington) was hard to beat. He was an old gentleman who usually, in walking costume, wore a decidedly blue frock-coat trimmed with deep braid, lavender-coloured trousers of a nautical cut and patent leather boots, showing but the tips, after the Bulwer-Lytton style. His hair was trimmed over his ears in the Buster-Brown manner, and his moustache and tip well cosmetiqued. His silk hat was of a build of its own, well curled. His tie of a brilliant hue, a fancifully arranged handkerchief emerging from his breast pocket, the gayest of button-holes, and grey kid gloves completed anensemblewonderful to behold. One of the greatest treats I have ever had was watching him pirouette through the figures of a quadrille, in the good old-fashionedstyle, on the occasion of a ball at Stafford House.
One curious anomaly, a Puritan Beau, I remember in Mr. Sturge, the old Quaker, whom my eye always seemed to seek and find in the Lobby, leaning upon his stick, his face shaded by a silk hat with an extraordinary wide brim, and a white cravat tied carefully under his chin. Day after day he was to be seen there, but when the Lobby list was wiped out after the bomb scare, I missed my pet figure who came no more.
The names by which some of the members were known were not without significance. Mr. Tom Collins, M.P., had the reputation of being the noisiest and most slovenly man in the House of '73, and was commonly known as "Noisy Tom." Lord Vivian, whose caricature I believe to be among my happiest, was dubbed "Hook and Eye." He was a well-known racing man, and I frequently observed him on the race-course.
Then there was Mr. Edward Jenkins, M.P., known as "Ginx's Baby," after his well-known book of that name. Mr. Adams-Acton, the well-known sculptor, arranged a dinner in order that I might meet him, but I am ashamed to say that I entirely forgot the engagement until some days after. My father, being one of the guests, was extremely put out at my non-appearance. "We waited for you a quarter of an hour," he said, "I was so ashamed!" However, I made my excuses to Mr. Adams-Acton and took further opportunities of seeing the well-known M.P. in the Lobby of the House, where his intensely Shakesperian forehead marked him out from the rest.
The Earl of Powis, irreverently dubbed "Mouldy"by "Jehu Junior," was a delightful old peer of a period long past, and one of my favourite studies. Viscount Midleton I frequently saw in the Lobby; he was nearly blind, and his helplessness seemed peculiarly pathetic in "the House," as he used to run up against doors and pillars when unattended, but as a rule he was led by his secretary.
It was in '78 that I caricatured old Mr. Seely, M.P. for Lincoln, and a great breeder of pigs. He was the grandfather of Brigadier-General Seely, once Minister of War in the Asquith Government. It was "Jehu Junior" who described my subject as "an amiable and decent person ... and there is no reason in the nature of things why he should not have lived and died happy and respectable. But he was returned to Parliament for Lincoln." Years after when I saw Colonel Seely in the House for the first time I recognized him at once because of the same characteristic attitude, although he is very much taller.
A number of well-known faces recur in my memory from the background of the House! There was Robert Dalgleish, M.P., another jovial and most popular member, who wore the longest finger nails I have ever seen excepting on a Chinaman: Lord Cottesloe, who was the son of one of Nelson's companions in arms, and whom I used to watch with great interest as he came down the steps of the House of Lords: Viscount Cole (now Lord Inniskillen), whom I knew as a boy at Eton: also Viscount Dupplin, known as "Duppy," who was always smartly dressed and wore white ducks in summer; he was celebrated for his knowledge of the Chinese language.
À proposof the caricature of the late LordAlington, one of my earliest, a very old friend of mine who was something of a busybody to me, "There is something about Pellegrini's work that you ought to study." I said, "I don't want to study anybody's work, only my subjects." "Well," he replied, "don't be offended, old chap, it's only to your advantage that I am saying this. Go and look at Pellegrini's cartoon of Lord Alington in this week'sVanity Fair. There is something in that which you never get." My only answer was, "You old ass, go and look at it yourself and read the signature upon it," which happened to be my own.
Amongst strongly-marked and characteristic faces I well remember Lord Colonsay (Scotch law), who had a most beautiful mop of shining silver hair; also the Rev. Francis E. C. Byng, afterwards Lord Stafford, who was Chaplain to the House of Commons from '74 to '89. He was a little man with great natural dignity, glossy curly black hair and a very prominent chin. He was a perfect study for the caricaturist, and I believe anything but a stereotyped parson. The late Chaplain, the Rev. Basil Wilberforce, Archdeacon of Westminster Abbey, sat to me a few years ago forVanity Fair; I had observed him in the House of Commons, and in his beautiful and most interesting home in Deans' Yard. His unrivalled stateliness of bearing was combined with unusual lightness of movement, and he was a most impressive figure, especially on occasions of state ceremonial. I remember watching him with great pleasure in his place in the Speaker's procession as it passed to the House for prayers. There was no man in London who had such a following in the pulpit. As a subject he was most interestingand very patient. His gown in the reproduction is the best sample of three-colour work I had had done, and he was so pleased with my drawing that he bought it.
Of course I did not confine my secret observations to the House, but made for my man anywhere that I could watch him. I caught Sir Henry Rawlinson at a Royal Academy Soirée and finished the study at another social evening at the Royal Geographical Society. In those days the Royal Academy social gatherings made good hunting-ground, and it was vastly entertaining to watch the orthodox social celebrities swarm round the "lions." Occasionally it was still possible to meet those who consider it a solemn misdemeanour if not a hideous crime to portray one's friends and acquaintance in the spirit, or with the pen of humour. I remember on one occasion just after I had published a caricature which probably caused a little surprise to the unconscious subject, I met a man who must have strongly objected to my observing eye so over-full was he of righteous indignation.
"Well," said he, on the note that conveys that magnificent sense of superiority which seems the mark of a limited intelligence, "have you been caricaturing anymoreof your friends?"
As a matter of fact the work of the leading modern caricaturists is peculiarly free from vulgar offence. The art of caricature as the art of any other form of portraiture is to portray the true leading features through the mirthful marking of the obvious. Occasionally the caricaturist draws on the extraordinary, for instance, Mr. Harry Furniss, has immortalized the late Sir William Harcourt's row of chins, but it is as guiltless of offence asMr. Gladstone's collar or Mr. Chamberlain's orchid.
"METHODICAL & METHODIST" CAMPBELL BANNERMAN AND FOWLER.
"BABBLE & BLUSTER" GLADSTONE AND HARCOURT. 1892.
"FAITHFUL & FADDIST" LORDS SPENCER AND RIPON.
Not long after I had caricatured Sir Albert Rollit he introduced me to his pretty daughter in the Lobby. "Oh, I'm so pleased to know you, Mr. Ward," she said. "You made that splendid caricature of my father."
"It is good of you to take it in the spirit which it is drawn," I answered; "because it is a caricature."
One of the stoutest men I ever drew was Sir Cunliffe Owen, director of the Kensington Museum, and head of the English Commission of the International Exhibition at Paris in '72. When I dined with him there I was astonished to see that he drank no wine—although his guests were plentifully supplied—but under his doctor's orders he was limited to one small tumbler of water. While in Paris I stayed with Sir Cunliffe in the company of the members of the English Commission in Paris as their guest. They gave me an amazingly good time, and I made a sketch of my host forVanity Fair.
It was towards the end of 1880, that I was asked by Mr. Bowles to obtain a cartoon of the "Fourth Party" forVanity Fair, and later on it was claimed that the cartoon was proof positive of the existence of the "Fourth Party." It is certain that Lord Randolph Churchill, Mr. Balfour, Sir John Gorst, and Sir Henry Drummond Wolff came to my studio, and that we had great difficulty in finding a seat suitable for the accommodation of Mr. Balfour's sprawl.
I have naturally met many most distinguished soldiers, among them Field Marshal Sir William Gomm, whom I met by the introduction of Mr.Gibson Bowles. He had attained the age of ninety, looked years younger, and was, in fact, astonishingly sprightly—a tiny little dot of a man.
"What is the secret of your longevity?" inquired Mr. Bowles. "No doubt you lived a careful life."
"Indeed, sir, nothing of the kind!" replied the old gentleman, who was very much afraid of being mistaken for a prig. There was more than a hint of the dandy about this vigorous nonogenarian. I was interested to observe that he wore patent leather shoes of a decidedly dainty shape, decorated with steel buckles holding enormous bows, and his trousers were the most wonderful in shape I have ever seen.
Another great soldier I depicted was Sir Hastings Doyle, a remarkable man in his day. He had the most charming manners, and is said to have known no fear. His sitting-room was like a fashionable woman's boudoir, and when the great general appeared I noticed his eyebrows and moustache were darkened with cosmetic, and his cheeks slightly touched with carmine as was frequently the custom then with many an old beau.
Sir Bartle Frere I caricatured in the attitude which he frequently adopted whilst lecturing at the Royal Geographical Society. He was a man of remarkably mild appearance, and I was astonished to hear him define the Zulu war as a celibate-man-slaying-machine.
SIR ALBERT ROLLIT, 1886.
One day while I was at the Beefsteak Club, in conversation with Colonel Napier Sturt, he suggested his friend, Lord Northbrook, as an excellent subject for a caricature. I said that I had already observed him in the House of Lords, and the Colonelresponded that he was sure that if I cared to see Lord Northbrook's pictures he would be delighted to show them to me at any time, which would give me a further opportunity of noticing him. Shortly after Colonel Sturt took me to Lord Northbrook's to luncheon, and when we entered the house in Park Lane, to my astonishment, Colonel Sturt said, "Let me introduce my friend 'Spy' to my old friend 'Skull,'" his nickname for Lord Northbrook.
This Colonel always posed as the poor younger son, being a brother of the late Lord Alington. He affected a watch without a chain, the old-fashioned key of which aggressively hung from his waistcoat pocket.
My first cartoon of the Duke of Beaufort (for I drew him twice forVanity Fair) was anything but a complimentary caricature, and represented him as I had seen him standing by his coach at Ascot. He was the finest gentleman I ever came across.
I had never seen the second Lord Lytton before I walked into his room at Claridge's Hotel. I knew a good many people who knew him, and I was interested in seeing him, as I had heard so much of him years before when visiting Knebworth. Although a much shorter and fairer man than his father, he was not unlike him in feature, and had the same curious light-blue eyes. He also affected the same cut of trouser. When I went in it seemed to me that he was inclined to attitudinize in the orthodox pose of a statesman, and I felt that he was not himself. When I took my pencil out to make notes, I felt it wiser to drop it until he was natural. He was very pleasant and affable, and when the time cameto leave I couldn't find my hat. "Oh," he said, "I think I know—you left it in the other room—I'll get it for you." He was going out and had put on an overcoat with an astrachan collar, and in his walk I perceived at once the resemblance to his father; he had the same stoop from the neck, and he took short steps. In this way I got him into my head and went straight home and made my caricature.
I had satisfied myself with the caricature, but Millais, who was painting his portrait at the time, said, "If you would like to have another look at him he is coming to me to-morrow to give me a last sitting, and I am sure he wouldn't mind you looking on."
This also gave me an interesting opportunity of seeing the manner in which Millais painted a portrait, which to me was something quite novel, for instead of placing his easel some little way from his sitter he put it actually by the side of him, and instead of looking straight at his model he walked to the cheval glass which was the length of the room away, and looked most carefully at the model's reflection in the mirror and making a dash for the canvas painted his sitter from the reflection.
Old Lord Londonderry hearing that he was not to be allowed to escape my eagle eye, sent me an invitation to visit him at Plas Machynlleth, he promised that I should have every opportunity of making a caricature, and at the same time he begged that I would not let him off in any way. So in due course I went down to Wales, and well do I remember the first morning of my visit. I came down a trifle earlier than the hour announced for breakfast, and walked absent-mindedly down the stairs and into the hall, and had said, "Good morning" beforeI realized that I had stepped into the midst of family prayers. I felt an awful fool. However, in spite of the episode I spent quite a long and most enjoyable time at Plas Machynlleth. Lord Londonderry was a most delightful host, he showed me his estate and took me to every place of interest near, and both he and Lady Londonderry were so kind that the pleasant time I spent there remains in my memory. While there I made a drawing of Lady Eileen Vane Tempest, now Lady Allandale, which was much appreciated by her mother. As Lord Londonderry had expressed a wish that I should not spare him in any detail I drew him taking snuff as was his habit, and even his gouty knuckles are suggested in the caricature. His lack of self-consciousness and refreshing sense of humour completed a personality that was for me at any rate delightful.
THE FOURTH PARTY. LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILL. MR ARTHUR BALFOUR. SIR DRUMMOND WOLFE. SIR JOHN GORST.
Sir Reginald Macdonald's caricature.—H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh's invitation.—TheLively.—TheHercules.—Admiral Sir William Hewitt.—Irish excursions.—The Channel Squadron.—Fishing party at Loch Brine.—The young Princes arrive on theBacchante.—Cruise to Vigo.—The "Night Alarm".—The Duke asbon voyageur.—Vigo.—The Birthday picnic.—A bear-fight on board theHercules.—Homeward bound.—Good-bye.—The Duke's visit to my studio.
Sir Reginald Macdonald's caricature.—H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh's invitation.—TheLively.—TheHercules.—Admiral Sir William Hewitt.—Irish excursions.—The Channel Squadron.—Fishing party at Loch Brine.—The young Princes arrive on theBacchante.—Cruise to Vigo.—The "Night Alarm".—The Duke asbon voyageur.—Vigo.—The Birthday picnic.—A bear-fight on board theHercules.—Homeward bound.—Good-bye.—The Duke's visit to my studio.
In July, 1880, I received an invitation from H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh to go for a cruise as his guest on board H.M.S.Hercules, which he commanded, and which was the flag-ship of the Reserve Squadron.
It was not an opportunity to lose, although one which had arrived by chance. It happened that Admiral Sir Reginald Macdonald, a great favourite at court and in society generally, was a victim of mine inVanity Fair. I had known him previously, and always found him most cheerful and entertaining, but on the publication of the cartoon his merriment frizzled away, and he became severe.
A letter arrived from him upbraiding me, and saying it was not the act of a friend to depict him as a drunkard. In short it was quite a furious epistle, and revealed him in an altogether new light.
I wrote at once in the endeavour to persuade him that his idea concerning the caricature was entirely misconceived, but some days had elapsedbringing no answer when one morning he dashed into my studio with a most injured air, and so full of his grievance that he did not observe his great friend the Duke of Hamilton, who was sitting to me for his portrait at the time.
1903 BARON DEICHMANN.
1895. W. BRAMSTON BEACH, M.P. (A great runner in his day.)
"SAM" SMITH, M.P. (Radical and low churchman). 1904
PERCY THORNTON, M.P. (A great runner in his day.) 1900.
"Hullo, Rim![8]What's up?" inquired the Duke, whereupon my victim appealed for his opinion on my treatment of him; but he received only chaff in place of the sympathy he expected and very soon he withdrew. On the next day he called again as I was at my work, and his demeanour seemed altogether calmer: "Here is a letter I have brought you to read," he said. "It is lucky for you that opinions differ."
The letter was from the Prince of Wales and ran as follows:—
"My dear Rim,"I have to-day seen your excellent portrait inVanity Fair, do you think you could procure for me the original drawing as I should so much like to possess it."
"My dear Rim,
"I have to-day seen your excellent portrait inVanity Fair, do you think you could procure for me the original drawing as I should so much like to possess it."
After reading the Prince's letter and being aware of Sir Reginald's feeling in the matter, and also knowing that Mr. Gibson Bowles was the owner of the drawing I thought it diplomatic to make an alternative suggestion, which was to offer to draw a new sketch of him for presentation in full uniform and cocked hat.
The idea pleased him, and when it was completed he took it himself to Marlborough House. Not only did it meet with the approval of the royal recipient, but the Duke of Edinburgh, who happened to be there at the time, was so pleased with it that hewanted one done of himself like it, and this led to the invitation for the cruise of which I am writing. To quote Sir Reginald's letter to me he says, "The Duke of Edinburgh considers your sketch the best drawn, and without exception the most wonderfully like he ever saw, and in consequence he will be very glad indeed if you will come for a cruise as his guest during the following dates, etc...."
Previous to making a start I received instructions from Captain Le Strange, A.D.C., who was to pilot the Duke's guests to Bantry Bay on H.M.S. (despatch boat)Lively. In his letter he informed me that Admiral Sir William Hewitt, Admiral Hardinge, and Mr. Wentworth-Cole would be of the party on theHercules; that he thought it would be a most jovial one, and that if I were a fair sailor I should enjoy the trip very much. He also said that H.R.H. had just taken his fleet of eight ships out for the first time, and that they seemed to work very well.
On July 10th, I started from Paddington by the afternoon train for Plymouth, and discovered in my vis-à-vis of the railway carriage, Mr. Wentworth-Cole. Captain Le Strange met us at Plymouth, and we dined at Devonport, and were escorted on board at 11.30 p.m. Shortly after we weighed anchor, the wind got up, and the yachtLivelydid full credit to her name. Through Sunday and Monday it blew a big gale, and Admiral Hardinge did not show up on deck until we steamed into Bantry Bay, where I was relieved to see the ships coming in with us for I hoped for steadier boards to tread. On Monday evening, the two Admirals moved to the flag ship and Wentworth-Cole and I followed shortly afterwards. It was the first time I had boarded a man-of-war and the formalities of the quarter-deckwere not less striking because I was still feeling somewhat rocky. However, the sound of the bugle seemed to pull me together, and the Duke, having received me most cordially escorted me to his state cabin to which my own was adjacent. It was evident that the comfort of his guests was to be well considered, as by this time I knew that a picked marine had already been selected to valet me, and information had leaked out that the services of an experienced cook from Gunters' had been obtained.
By degrees I became acquainted with the Captain and Commander and officers of the ship and I soon settled down.
On the following morning a trip had been arranged by H.R.H. for us to steam to Glengariff on theLively. The weather was very fine and after an early breakfast on board her we set out (Mr. Mackenzie of Kintale joining us). It must have been quite three o'clock before we reached Glengariff, and sat down to lunch in the hotel. During our meal a young American visitor anxious to see if royalty ate like ordinary beings seated herself at a table adjoining ours, and fixed her eyes steadily upon the Duke. She even ordered marmalade to make believe it was her midday meal, but we were informed afterwards that she had lunched. Evidently her interest had not diminished, as when seeing us seated on the lawn drinking coffee, she refreshing herself in a similar way, drew up close to our party with the same inquisitive intention whilst taking it for granted that she also was a centre of interest to us. The proprietress gave her a hint and she vanished.
By this time we were replenished, and, after a stroll to Cromwell's Bridge, the owner of the hotelbrought her book out for us to sign our names in, and on our departure presented not only the Duke, but each of us with a bouquet. Our host, Mr. Mackenzie, with his friends, proceeded to Killarney, while we returned on theLivelyto Bantry.
The officers on board theHerculeswere most friendly, and willing to help in giving me a good time. Every one was pleasant, and the chaff came readily, especially when I was supposed to discover from the stern walk where the rudder was. In time I became more accustomed to the routine, and learned to know when I might venture on the Captain's bridge, or pace the deck without getting in the way. Among the many interesting men whose acquaintance I made on the cruise was one Cole, a paymaster in the Navy and quite a character. He was a very clever amateur draughtsman, and had accompanied the Admiral on several of his cruises. His drawings brimmed over with humour, especially in a kind of log-book in which he sketched the event of the day which was greatly appreciated by H.R.H. He was full of fun and the favourite of all, but owing to a peculiarly deep-pitched voice, and a somewhat serious expression exaggerated by the fact that he wore blue glasses, some one had christened him "the Sepulchral."
Whilst the Reserve Squadron was anchored at Bantry waiting for the Channel Fleet to join us, much of the time was spent—when the Admiral was not engaged on duty—in taking trips on theLivelyto various places, or on fishing excursions. There was the inspection of the coastguard station in the vicinity of Ballydonogan, and afterwards we went on to a place called Killmakillog to fish for trout on Glanmore Lake.
It was on the occasion of our trip to Waterville that a tramp, a rough looking customer, approached the Duke with a letter which H.R.H. passed on to me with the directions to give him half a crown.
The letter ran:—
Tothe Prince of Great Britain and Ireland."May it please your highness,"That having served in the 88th of foot during the Crimea War and afterwards in the East India Mutiny—drink alone disqualified me for pension."I pray you will help to live one of her Majesty's loyal soldiers."Daniel Moriarty."
Tothe Prince of Great Britain and Ireland.
"May it please your highness,
"That having served in the 88th of foot during the Crimea War and afterwards in the East India Mutiny—drink alone disqualified me for pension."I pray you will help to live one of her Majesty's loyal soldiers.
"Daniel Moriarty."
The terrible Irish famine was nearly at an end. To the Duke had been allotted the mission of official inquiry and relief; but although much had been done officially to relieve the general suffering, on our daily trips we frequently came across cases of great distress, usually where the peasantry refused relief outside their own homes. During one round we came upon a particularly painful scene. Walking into an old cabin which was apparently empty, we discovered through the dim light which penetrated from a hole in the roof, the weird figure of a very old man scantily clothed in the meanest rags. Stretched upon the floor by his side lay a young boy in the same deplorable condition. The old man spoke a few words of welcome in a feeble voice, and the miserable lad tried to rise to come forward. It was the most painful scene I can remember, and it would have taken the genius and human understanding of Hogarth to depict in detail. Needlessto say such a case of dire distress was immediately relieved.
The Duke of Edinburgh was most kind-hearted, and he did much personally as well as officially to relieve the distress in this district. I was told on the best authority that he distributed within a very short time over £200 from his private purse in individual cases of extreme need.
When the Channel Squadron under Admiral Hood (afterwards Lord Hood) joined us life on board became more ceremonious and eventful. Admiral Hood gave a dinner-party for the Duke on board the flag-shipMinotaur, and Admiral Hewitt accompanied H.R.H. During their absence I was inspired to caricature the latter. When they returned, the Duke took up my sketch, and it tickled his fancy immensely, in fact I had never seen him laugh so much. Sir William was getting very stout at the time, and I had noticed that he always fastened the bottom button of his jacket leaving the upper ones loose, doubtless with the intention to give an appearance of slimness to his waist. The effect was ludicrous, and I had endeavoured to put on paper my impression of it. I fear, however, that poor Sir William did not appreciate the joke.
The next day the Duke inspected some of the ships, and I was privileged to accompany him and found it a great opportunity to increase my knowledge. The combined fleets lying at anchor made a glorious naval picture. The ships were seventeen in all, of which I remember:—
Northumberland, Captain Wratislaw;Defence, Captain Thrupp;Valiant, Captain Charman;Audacious, Captain Woolcombe;Warrior, Captain Douglas;Achilles, Captain Heneage;Hercules(flag-ship), CaptainTownsend;Lord Warden, Captain Indsay Brine;Hector, Captain Caster;Penelope, Captain Nicholson;Agincourt, Captain Buller;Minotaur(flag-ship), Captain Rawson;Salamis(despatch boat), Commander Fitzgeorge;Lively(despatch boat), Commander Le Strange.
I was introduced to several of the Captains, and among them were some whom I was destined to draw years after as Admirals forVanity Fair.
On the evening of the inspection the Duke gave a return dinner-party on board theHercules. Admiral Hood was, of course, the principal guest, and I had the privilege of being placed next him at dinner. TheHerculeshaving no band of its own, that of theMinotaurwas lent for the occasion, and several of the leading officers were present, notably Captain Heneage of theAchilles—known as "Pompo"—who was certainly thebeauof the combined fleets. The immaculate appearance of this distinguished officer in these days at sea was certainly one of the distractions of the voyage, and as Admiral Sir Algernon Heneage, he is still to be seen in the West End, an ornament and a great favourite in London Society. Eventually he came to my studio and I made a characteristic drawing of him.
As we were still waiting for theBacchante(with the young Princes on board) to join us, H.R.H. arranged a fishing excursion to Blackwater for an off day. Commander Le Strange was to conduct us. TheLivelyweighed anchor at 7 a.m., and we arrived at Blackwater at 10 o'clock. Unfortunately as a bag containing my fishing-rod, footgear and other articles of wearing apparel appropriate to a voyage of this kind had failed to reach me yet from Cork, I was altogether unprepared for the excursion.The Duke hearing of my predicament, very kindly offered to lend me a rod, at the same time he impressed me with the fact that he valued it greatly, and that I must take great care of it. It had been a birthday present given to him by the Prince Consort, and bore an inscription in silver to that effect.
Mr. Mahony, the landowner, drove to Blackwater to meet us, and from there took us to Loch Brine, where the fish were plentiful. He with H.R.H. went out in a boat to fish leaving us to pursue our sport from the bank. I scrambled on to a rock from which I cast my line, when alas the rubber soles on my shoes played me false, and I was in the water, and the rod in pieces. What was to be done? All sport was at end for me! I turned to my companion who advised me to say nothing about it, and give it to the coxswain to mend. In a weak moment I resolved to keep my own counsel, but imagine my consternation a little later, when the Admiral joined us for luncheon, and exclaimed, "You are a nice fellow, breaking my rod!"
I had quite forgotten how water carries sound. Every word of the discussion had been overheard by H.R.H. I was non-plussed and the matter passed off without further comment. Then we all sat down to lunch with a good appetite, but it was a poor day's sport for me, and we returned to theLively, and dined at 9 o'clock.
The next day Mr. Mahony and his family came on board; later in the day we returned to Bantry, and shortly after theBacchantecame into the Bay. The young Princes lost no time in paying their respects to the Admiral, who at once invited them to dinner. I sat next to Prince Eddy who was a perfectly natural boy, and to my mind immenselytactful, for he immediately commenced to tell me of the success of my latest cartoon inVanity Fair—which happened to be Lord Shrewsbury. On the next day the combined squadrons weighed anchor and started for the ten days' cruise to Vigo.