SEVENTH EARL OF BESSBOROUGH. "M.C.C. Cricket." 1888.
REV. F. H. GILLINGHAM. "A hard hitter." 1906.
ARCHDEACON BENJAMIN HARRISON. "Canterbury Cricket." 1885.
The naval evolutions and drill were exceedingly interesting to watch by day, and, on the second night out, came the great excitement of a "Night Alarm." This proceeding might be described as the supreme episode of naval drill. It may come at any moment, and although I was let into the secret it seemed to arrive with startling suddenness to me. We were at dinner when the alarm was given. "There's not a moment to be lost," said the Duke. "Stick to me and we'll go down." A fleeting impression of the blue jackets and marines turning out of their hammocks like one man, then in a flash every officer gave his word of command—All hands were at the guns—Every man in his place!—Lights out! and so on.
On Saturday the weather turned stormy, and I found that even a man-of-war didn't glide smoothly through a rough sea in the Bay of Biscay; and, although I managed to put in an appearance at Church service on Sunday, I thought it more discreet to remain in my cabin during the gale; but on Monday the Duke, finding that I didn't appear at the luncheon table, sent for me, and with difficulty I dragged myself to my place.
"Now," said he, "I am going to be your doctor, and you must take the prescription I give you. It is the only cure for sea-sickness." So at his suggestion I drank one glass of champagne and presently another, but when it came to the third proposal I politely declined, for although the first two glasseshad a most comforting effect "yet another" would have proved the last straw. "Very well," said he, in mock sternness, "when you want medical aid in future don't come to me for it." But I was better.
We continued our voyage with three incidents on the way. A man overboard—the funeral of a stoker on board theHector, which was impressive, the court-martial of an offender on theDefence, and a sudden dense fog that came on suddenly when the ships were manœuvring and crossing one another. Every light was ordered out, and I went on the bridge where I found both Sir William Hewitt and the Captain. The former, who realized the danger of the situation, and who was always ready with chaff, said to me:
"You had better go down to your cabin and get a wicker chair ready for emergency. There will be no life-belt for you in case of a collision as there are only just enough for the crew and of course they come first."
I needn't say that the precaution didn't recommend itself to me. I thought to myself if the ship goes down I shall go with her; but the fog cleared off quite suddenly, and although three of the ships were lost to sight they turned up in the morning.
During the cruise I heard on all sides how highly regarded the Duke of Edinburgh was as a seaman and a commanding officer, and he was undoubtedly much liked by those with whom he came in close contact. To his guests on board he was kindness itself, and he could be most entertaining. He told us his experiences of boyhood, how he had been treated just as any other middy, and subject to their backslidings also if one might judge by the account of severe punishments which had theirplace in the stories. He talked much of Russia, and told us how well the palace was guarded, that none but members of the Imperial Family were allowed to enter by the principal entrance, and that on one occasion he, being unrecognized by a sentry was challenged, and that he had to beat an ignominious retreat, and go round by the equerries' door. Not only were his experiences and travels most interesting, but he had an extraordinary good ear for dialect; with him a good yarn lost nothing in the telling, and he could hit off a type in a very few words. When he had an half-hour to spare in the evenings we would play a game I introduced of "drawing consequences," which is played in much the same way as the ordinary schoolroom game, except that one fills the required space with contributory drawing in place of the usual words. H.R.H. came out well under its inspiration, and the combined results of our drawings were occasionally very amusing.
One evening he produced a crystal and inset was a very tiny portrait of Dowager Empress of Russia, which the company mistook for a miniature, and thought it marvellous that any human eye could see to produce it. I at once detected that a photograph was behind it, and that it was in fact a very minutely reduced and tinted photograph. I am afraid I destroyed the general illusion. The Duke smiled, he was very sincere in his love of art, and particularly proud of the talent of his sister the Princess Royal—Empress Frederick of Germany, whose pictures he spoke of in the highest terms, an opinion which I had heard frequently endorsed.
On Thursday we sighted the Spanish coast, and on Friday there was a big drill and evolutions; andon Saturday the Fleet arrived in Vigo Bay at 12 o'clock. Of course the two flag-ships were the centre of interest, and on our arrival there was the usual demonstration in connection with naval events. The Duke received visits from officials, and in the afternoon gave me his first sitting. It was a splendid evening. H.R.H. gave a big dinner-party. TheMinotaurband came over to theHercules, and there was a fine display of fireworks ashore and the bay was illuminated by the flashes from the search-lights, and the general appearance of the Fleet enlivened by the movements of boats and pinnaces going to and fro between ships and shore.
In celebration of his birthday (August 6th) the Duke had arranged a picnic for the Princes and their middy friends, Mr. Dalton (the Prince's tutor) Cole, who as usual brought his sketch book with him, Wentworth-Cole, and Commander Le Strange were also of the party, but the presiding spirit was the Duke in his best form, full of fun, and most anxious that the boys should have a good time.
On our journey out in the pinnace I remember that Wentworth-Cole was the victim of a practical joke instigated by me for the amusement of the Royal Middies. He was wearing a hat with several ventilatory holes on the summit of the crown. It suddenly occurred to me that these would make suitable receptacles for matches; so, when he was engrossed in the scenery, I found an opportunity of filling them up, in which occupation Prince George lent willing aid. When a chance came I lighted the heads of the matches, but hearing a titter, Wentworth-Cole turned round, discovered the plot, and saved the situation.
It was a real picnic. We arrived in the steampinnace at a most picturesque island some miles out from Vigo, and there in a rural setting, and on a particularly rugged piece of ground the baskets were opened and we sat down to a capital luncheon. The coxswain, who was a very handy man, was of the greatest use in every direction on this occasion.
By this time the seigning nets had been cast in the bay near at hand, and the Princes and their shipmates were anxiously awaiting the opportunity to set to work.
In the meantime we all strolled down towards the sea, Prince Eddy and I remaining in the rear of the main body, while he on the Q.T. and boy-like, found the opportunity of taking occasional puffs from my pipe.
On joining the others Prince George, after noticing its unusual shape politely asked if he might look at it. Evincing curiosity in its condition and with an air of a connoisseur he passed several pieces of dried grass through the stem and thoroughly cleaned it out, then after filling the bowl with tobacco and lighting it he tested it well by taking some good whiffs. Afterwards he returned it with the remark that it was now fit to smoke. The little episode amused me greatly as it was so completely natural.
By now, finding that the nets were ready to be manipulated we, one and all, tucked up our trousers and hauled them in, the Duke being the most energetic of the lot. It was warm work but not wasted, for the haul was a fine one.
During the afternoon a couple of bull fights in an adjoining field gave us a good show of a non-professional bull fight, also we saw some interesting types of Portuguese, who were entered with theother incidents of the day in Cole's sketch book. He was also clever in portraying those big-eyed, dark, and picturesque peasant girls.
I think that must have been the last of the very delightful excursions on theLively, which ship, of pleasant memory, came eventually to a bad end, as she struck a rock and went to the bottom.
We stayed some time in Vigo Bay, and made several delightful excursions there. When on board, the young Princes did their best to kill any chance of monotony. There was a bear fight I am not likely to forget. I was in the habit of returning to my cabin for asiestaafter luncheon, and on this particular occasion I think the officers on board were occupied on duty. The Princes came to pay the Duke a visit, but only to find that he had gone ashore, and things were generally a little on the dull side. I was the sole occupant of the cabin, and as they peeped in they saw me in my berth asleep, so passed on to the adjoining one (Mr. Wentworth-Cole's) in search, no doubt, of a bit of fun. Presently I got the full benefit of their inspiration, which took the form of squeezing the contents of a very large sponge from their side of the partition on to my head. It was a thorough "cold pigging" that I received, that effectually wakened me from slumber; but I rose to the occasion, and in my turn sent back the sponge. This ended in a rough and tumble which, of course, they were inviting. Cole (of the pencil) came along in the thick of it, and eventually made a caricature of the scene in the Duke's book. It represented the little bear, the middle sized bear and the big bear at play, and he called it "A Bear Fight."
It was not until we were homeward bound thatthe Duke succumbed to the ordeal of a second sitting for his portrait. He was an interesting subject; I made two drawings of him, the portrait which he had commanded, and which I understood was intended as a birthday present for the Duchess, and I also made a water-colour drawing in similar style to that which had pleased him of Sir Reginald Macdonald: which represented him at full length in Admiral's uniform.
After I had thanked H.R.H. for all his kindness and hospitality and the cruise was at an end, I said good-bye, and returned to London with Wentworth-Cole.
When I arrived in London, amongst the first letters I received was one from H.R.H. containing a handsome cheque in payment of the portrait.
Some little time after I was at work one morning in my studio in William Street, Lowndes Square, when the hall porter announced "a gentleman to see you, sir," and in walked the Duke of Edinburgh carrying a parcel under his arm, which proved to be a photograph of the Duchess, which he suggested I should study and left with me, for he was most anxious that I should make a drawing of Her Royal Highness, and suggested that later on her time would be less occupied, but I gathered that the proposal had escaped her memory.
Lord Charles Beresford.—Cowes.—Lady Cardigan.—Chevalier Martino.—Lord Albemarle.—Harry McCalmont.—Royal Sailors.—King Edward VII.—Queen Alexandra.—Prince Louis of Battenberg.—King of Greece.—Foreign Rulers.—The Prince Imperial.—Don Carlos.—General Ignatieff.—Midhat Pasha.—Sir Salar Jung.—Ras Makunan.—Cetewayo.—Shah of Persia.—Tadas Hayashi, etc.
Lord Charles Beresford.—Cowes.—Lady Cardigan.—Chevalier Martino.—Lord Albemarle.—Harry McCalmont.—Royal Sailors.—King Edward VII.—Queen Alexandra.—Prince Louis of Battenberg.—King of Greece.—Foreign Rulers.—The Prince Imperial.—Don Carlos.—General Ignatieff.—Midhat Pasha.—Sir Salar Jung.—Ras Makunan.—Cetewayo.—Shah of Persia.—Tadas Hayashi, etc.
Some years before my cruise on theHerculesI had caricatured a young man of whom "Jehu Junior" prophesied a career of no mean order. Lord Charles Beresford has performed all that was expected of him, but it is difficult to recognize in him to-day my subject of 1867. When he came to my studio I was struck by his characteristic stride, and asked him to walk up and down my studio while I endeavoured to capture some impression of his rolling gait, curly hair and jolly laugh. He was willing to be made fun of, and his excellent company aided me in arriving at a result which may best be gathered from the following letter, which I received from him on the completion of the caricature.
"Fairfield, York,"1876."My dear Ward,"TheVanity Faircartoon is really the only caricature that I know that ever was in the least like me, I think it quite excellent. I know it is the exact way I stand and I am generally smiling profusely. All my friends were delighted with it, and at Osborne they all said it was capital. I hope you were pleased with it yourself; I am sure you ought to be."Yours very sincerely,"Charles Beresford."
"Fairfield, York,
"1876.
"My dear Ward,
"TheVanity Faircartoon is really the only caricature that I know that ever was in the least like me, I think it quite excellent. I know it is the exact way I stand and I am generally smiling profusely. All my friends were delighted with it, and at Osborne they all said it was capital. I hope you were pleased with it yourself; I am sure you ought to be.
"Yours very sincerely,
"Charles Beresford."
1876. "CHARLIE" BERESFORD.
ADMIRAL SIR REGD. MACDONALD. "R.I.M." 1880.
1902. ADMIRAL SIR JOHN FISHER.
CAPTAIN JELLICOE. 1906.
At this time I heard a story of Lord Charles, who was always known as "Charlie Beresford," and who played many a practical joke. There was a very stout and good-humoured lady who was a general favourite in society and especially with young men. On one occasion she happened to be leaving an evening-party when Lord Charles escorted her to her brougham, which appeared a tight fit for her, and being prompted by a sudden fit of devilment he seized the linkman who was handy and thrust him into her carriage. Directly the door was closed, the oblivious coachman drove off, and what happened afterwards must be left to the imagination.
In that year I went down to Cowes for the yachting week, as it was quite the best opportunity for following up the types of well-known yachtsmen, and I passed many amusing hours in the gardens of the Squadron.
Amongst the most frequent visitors was Lady Cardigan in gayest attire, and usually accompanied by a much-beribboned poodle, the colour of whose furbelows matched her own. I greatly appreciated her hospitality, for she had an inexhaustible fund of good stories which secured many an extra point through her wit in the telling. Just then Prince Battyany was renting Eaglehurst, and I have a very pleasant recollection of being taken to a garden-party there by Lord and Lady Londonderry on their yacht theAileen.
The next time I went to Cowes was on the occasion of the German Emperor's first visit, when the little place was naturally overcrowded, and in consequence I had unusual difficulty in getting into the Squadron. On previous occasions Ihad had no trouble in being "put up" for the club, but it seemed that every one was full up. I was extremely disappointed as the proprietor ofVanity Fair(Mr. Gibson Bowles) had particularly wished me to make a representative group of prominent members of the R.Y.S. I was in a quandary, so I went to the secretary, Mr. Pasley, and told him of my predicament. He said, "They're all full up, I am sorry I haven't the power to let you in, but I will do my best for you. I will speak to the Prince of Wales, he is sure to be here soon." We were talking at the gate of the castle grounds when suddenly the secretary said, "Here he comes." H.R.H. upon hearing of my dilemma, with his usual good nature sent a message to tell me that he regretted I had not let him know before and that I might come in whenever I liked, and at once if I wished. So I received my pass in due course.
The late Chevalier Martino was of course "all there" as a guest of the Emperor William on board theHohenzollern. He was a Neapolitan, and of a most impassioned temperament. I remember meeting him one night at dinner. The conversation fell on the battle of Trafalgar, and, forgetting the dishes which were before him he suddenly rose from the table and started to recite the "Death of Nelson." During the recitation he worked himself to such a pitch of emotion that at the climax of the death scene, he fell to all appearance lifeless upon the floor.
When I met him shortly afterwards, he said, "You must have thought I was mad that evening, but I couldn't help it, I am an enthusiast."
KING EDWARD VII. 1902.
He was a favourite with both King Edward andthe German Emperor, and was marine-painter in ordinary to our Sovereign. In the course of further conversation he told me that he had been in the Italian Navy, and that with his knowledge of ships he did not require to make more than the very slightest notes preparatory to illustrating a naval review. He was an interesting companion and told very good stories. The Emperor was very sympathetic to Martino who, in consequence of a paralytic trouble with which he was afflicted, found considerable difficulty in rising from the table. He told me that the Emperor would, with one arm, lift him to his feet as though he was a feather, with a strength that was surprising. He always refused to exhibit his pictures, but at his death many of them were collected for public exhibition. His work was thoroughly appreciated by naval men as being so absolutely accurate.
On one occasion, being invited by a member of the Squadron to dine upon his yacht, I was struck by the beauty of the lady to whom I sat next. The Admiral had an excellentchefon board, and consequently we were served with a particularly good dinner, but I appreciated his hospitality rather less when he passed me drawing materials with which to depict the lady. I paid her a polite compliment, but wasn't to be "drawn" in this way in return for my dinner.
Lord Albemarle, whom I have portrayed, is a notable yachtsman, and also a clever caricaturist with a great feeling for drawing and sculpture, so he spends much of his spare time in his studio. He served his country in the South African War, as Lieut.-Colonel in the C.I.V., and is Lieut.-Colonel in the Scots Guards (retired), as did Mr. RupertGuinness, who was also one of myVanity Fairseries, and who took me over the Royal Naval Volunteer training ship (theBuzzard) on the Thames embankment, which he commands.
Of course, in these sea-days I very frequently enjoyed sailing with my more intimate friends. I had great times with my old friend, Harry McCalmont, who was a whole-hearted sailor, as was his father before him. He was always very much to the fore at Cowes in the yachting season, and it will be remembered that he built theGeralda, which eventually became the royal yacht of Spain. He afterwards presented me with her white ensign, and it was on her deck that I portrayed him in a large oil picture which I painted some time before his death. He, like Lord Albemarle, served in South Africa and was in the Scots Guards. I spent many delightful hours too, with Charlie Brookfield on his little cutter, sailing here and there from one point to another, around the Isle of Wight.
When Sir Thomas Lipton first builtShamrock, it was obvious that he should appear in the series ofVanity Faircelebrities. He sat to me in my studio when, during conversation, he told me of his implicit belief in the uses of advertisement, which he considered the corner-stone of success.
I have been particularly fortunate in my opportunities for observation when at work on the Royal yachtsmen, among whom was King Edward himself. The Prince was always most kind and courteous, and when I had the honour of receiving a sitting from him, he did not forget to inquire after my father, whose health was not all that could be desired at the time, and later on when my father died I received the following letter of sympathy:—
"Dear Mr. Ward,"I am desired by the Prince of Wales to write and let you know how sincerely sorry he is to hear of the terrible affliction which has fallen upon you, and to assure you that you have his unfeigned sympathy in your sorrow."He had known your father so long that he could not help letting you know what he felt on this sad occasion."Believe me,"Yours truly,"Francis Knollys."
"Dear Mr. Ward,
"I am desired by the Prince of Wales to write and let you know how sincerely sorry he is to hear of the terrible affliction which has fallen upon you, and to assure you that you have his unfeigned sympathy in your sorrow.
"He had known your father so long that he could not help letting you know what he felt on this sad occasion.
"Believe me,
"Yours truly,
"Francis Knollys."
In many indefinable ways the King never missed an opportunity of showing his kindness for which I was always grateful. When I made a portrait of him as Prince of Wales I received a letter of acknowledgment from which I may quote the following extract:—"The King thinks the portrait an excellent one, and there is nothing in it to alter."
Some years after when he had begun to show signs ofembonpoint, a fact of which he was fully aware, I had the honour of a sitting, and he said laughingly:—
"Now let me down gently."
"Oh, but you've a very fine chest, sir," I replied.
He laughed and shook his head at me, as though he found my aim at diplomacy more entertaining than convincing.
Queen Alexandra also sat to me at Marlborough House, where I made the drawing in black and white forVanity Fair, but when I took it to the editor he decided that it must be coloured, as were all the previous cartoons. The Princess of Wales,as she then was, had been so kind in giving me sittings that I dared not suggest more, so I attempted to colour my sketch from memory, and in my anxiety to get the flesh tint I spoilt it, as I found it impossible to obtain the clearness of colour over the pencil work, and in trying to do so I ruined the sketch. Later on I met the Prince (Edward VII.) and he asked me what I had done with the drawing of the Princess. On my informing him of the fate of the sketch, and the circumstance of its destruction, he said, seeing my concern and embarrassment: "Well, don't worry yourself. No one has yet succeeded in making a satisfactory portrait of the Princess—not even Angeli," although one or two successful portraits have been painted of Her Majesty since then both as Princess of Wales and Queen.
One of my very early caricatures was one of her brother, the late King of Greece, done from memory. Comparatively recently, Prince Louis of Battenberg (a handsome subject), whom I had studied beforehand at the Admiralty, came to my studio, and he brought the Princess Louise and Princess Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein to see the result with which they expressed themselves much pleased, and the drawing is now in their possession.
In 1875 I was interested in making a study of the Prince Imperial at Chiselhurst, and I have a very vivid recollection of my introduction to him, which took place at a dance given by Lord and Lady Otho Fitzgerald at Oakley Court. I had been invited with the other members of my family, and it chanced that my dress clothes were in the hands of my tailor, who failed to return them at the promised hour. Leaving word that the parcel was to beforwarded immediately I went down to Windsor to inform my sisters that there was but a poor chance of my being able to join them. They were almost weeping over the news as my father and mother were away from home and they were relying on my escorting them to the ball. However, at the last moment the parcel arrived, but on putting on the coat and waistcoat I discovered that they were not mine, but were undoubtedly intended for a person at least twice my size.
Everybody was in despair, but my sisters said, "You must go!" So I had to swallow my pride and entered the ball-room awkwardly enough as I had buckled back my waistcoat as far as I could, but with the coat there was nothing to be done but take a lappel over each arm and do my best to conceal the ill-fitting garment (which I could have folded twice round my body) by holding it out of sight. I kept well in the background through the early part of the evening, but after supper I felt bolder, and decided to dance at any price.
In the ball-room I felt a fool indeed, like "Auguste" at the circus, and on asking one fair lady for a dance noticed her furtive glance sweep over me; I hastened to explain the reason of my unfortunate plight, at which she took pity on me and gave me a dance. I was young then and took a pride in well-fitting clothes, yet it was under these most trying circumstances that I was presented to the Prince Imperial and, with both my arms fully occupied, pride of speech and ease of demeanour were far from me at that difficult moment.
Lord Otho being a prominent member of the R.Y.S., the burgee of that club usually flew from the flagstaff of Oakley Court.À proposof thisCaptain Bay Middleton, one of the guests, who could never resist a practical joke, persuaded the Prince Imperial to accompany him, in the small hours of the morning following the dance, to the summit of the tower, where he, having procured a towel hoisted it in place of the R.Y.S. Banzee. The Prince thought this was a great joke, but I never heard that the owner shared his opinion.
Shortly afterwards I was driving along a dusty roaden routeto Ascot Races when I passed Lord Otho's coach with the Prince Imperial upon it, but as I was covered with dust I certainly did not expect the latter to recognize me. However, when we met by appointment at Charing Cross to travel to Chiselhurst the first thing he said, with a smile, was, "Why did you cut me the other day on the road to Ascot?" Of course I had nothing to say.
On the journey the Prince talked most interestingly, and I gathered that he felt sanguine as to the belief of his ultimate succession to the throne of France. From his charm of manner and general conversation I could quite understand his popularity with his brother officers in the British Army. He did not strike me as being particularly smart in dress or general appearance, although he wore his hat well tilted on one side, and he clicked his heels in French fashion, as he had evidently been taught to do from boyhood.
On arriving at Chiselhurst we drove together to the residence of the Empress Eugenie where he gave me every opportunity of studying his characteristics, and upon the publication of his cartoon I received a letter of appreciation with a signed photograph of himself which is still unfaded, and which I greatly value.
SIR JOHN ASTLEY (The mate).
"JIM" LOWTHER, M.P. 1877.
PETER GILPIN(Gentleman Trainer). 1908
EARL OF MACCLESFIELD. 1881.
I have drawn and caricatured and made portraits of the numerous foreign rulers, who have visited our islands from time to time. When Don Carlos (the Pretender to the Spanish throne) came to England in 1876 I visited him at Claridge's, where he was staying, to study him forVanity Fair. I found him a very picturesque and striking figure in his uniform, which he put on for me, including the Order of the Golden Fleece. He was very obliging, and offered to lend me his uniform to use for further details, also the Order, which he begged me to treasure with the greatest possible care, as he stated that it had been handed down in his family for generations, and was, of course, of great value to him. I promised to be very careful that nothing should befall it, and when the uniform and the Order arrived I sought for a model, preferably a soldier; and incidentally asked Colonel Fred Burnaby if he knew a man big enough to wear it. He very kindly permitted his soldier-servant, who was a very fine man to stand for me, and when he came to the studio, and had donned the uniform I entrusted him with the Order of the Golden Fleece, and cautioned him to handle it very carefully. Taking it up to fasten round his neck he straightway dropped it on the floor, where it broke in half. When it snapped in two imagine my horror. It was with difficulty that I restrained my anger. On finding it broken I hurried off with it to Hancocks, the jewellers in Bond Street, who promised to mend it to the best of their ability. On the return of the decoration I could detect no flaw; it appeared exactly as it was, but the accident was costly. Needless to say I soon returned it and was thankful to hear no more about it.
An amusingcontretempsoccurred when I was sentby my editor to "stalk" General Ignatieff, who was at Claridge's Hotel. I had thought the best plan would be to stay there for a day or two, in order to obtain good facilities for studying him, so I arrived with my portmanteau, and endeavoured to ascertain something of the habits of the general. My curiosity resulted in old Mr. Claridge politely ordering my bag to be removed. When I informed him of my identity and disclosed the reason for my interest in the General's movements, his reply was somewhat as follows:—
"I know there is such a person as 'Spy' because I can show you a lot of his cartoons in my room, I do not doubt your word, but I have no proof and would rather that you went." But he was considerate in giving what information he could as to his whereabouts, and after saving my hotel bill I managed to catch my victim on his way from Hatfield.
In 1877 my editor was anxious to procure a drawing of Midhat Pasha forVanity Fair, and as there was a great difficulty in obtaining an interview, I was smuggled into his presence by Mr. Gibson Bowles, who had an official appointment with him. The Pasha, it will be remembered, had just been exiled from his own country and this opportunity offered me every facility for making close observation of him who was, at the same time, ignorant of my identity or purpose.
I was fortunate in the case of Mooh-ton-oolk, Sir Salar Jung, Minister of the Nizam of Hyderabad. Sir Salar was received with great acclamation in England on account of the excellent service he had rendered to the English in the suppression of the mutiny. He also did much to break down casteprejudice. I attended his wonderful breakfast at that residence in Piccadilly which is now the Bachelor's Club. Sir Salar had brought with him to England his curry-cook who provided us with innumerable curries, of which very few were familiar to me although I enjoyed them considerably, more than that I was much interested in the distinguished company who were present. Following the breakfast my eminent host gave me an opportunity of making a sketch of him.
Some little time afterwards I accepted an invitation to dinner, which was given on a magnificent scale at the "Star and Garter," Richmond, and organized for him by a mutual friend, a lady whose husband owned the house that Sir Salar Jung temporarily occupied.
Over a hundred guests sat down to the banquet, which was arranged should be followed by a dance. It chanced that I drove down in a hansom and a violent thunder storm came on so that in spite of all precautions the front of my dress shirt became hopelessly splashed with mud. As it was too late to retrace my steps I decided to buy a dicky (this appendage being a novelty to me), and fix it over the damaged shirt front. Twice after I imagined it was safely fixed it flew up with surprising suddenness, and when my hostess asked me to help her with the dance that she had arranged should follow the dinner that evening, I felt more than a shade of embarrassment as I feared the dicky might betray me and my movements were therefore cautious, though with an additional pin I managed to secure it and all went well in the end.
H.H. Ras Makunan, K.C.M.G., who was cousin and heir-apparent to the Emperor Menelik of Abyssinia,was also a warrior and a sportsman, and represented the Emperor at King Edward's coronation.
He was persuaded to make an appointment with me at my studio, and arrived at the early hour of 8 a.m. with his attendant, previous to breakfasting with the officers of the Horse Guards at the Knightsbridge barracks.
Before his visit I had been given the tip to have in readiness a bottle of good port wine, but upon pouring out a glass I was told that he judged it wiser to delay any refreshment until after breakfast. In the meantime small boys had collected at the entrance to my studio, being attracted by the Royal carriage waiting at the door. When they saw the chief occupant enter it they simply stared in amazement with open mouths. Finding a second interview necessary, which was arranged for at the Westminster Palace Hotel, I called at the appointed hour, but being kept waiting for a very considerable time sent up a reminder. Sir John was very angry at the delay, and after persuading the Ras that it was not the custom to treat gentlemen in such a manner he came out from an inner room (where he had been busily occupied sorting coloured silks) and did his duty to me, in fact sat in quite a stately manner, holding his long gun characteristically. During the process of sketching him I was given the hint not to make him quite as black as nature had painted him.
A kind of levee (if I may say so) was occasionally held by Cetewayo when he visited England and was housed in Melbury Road. As I wanted to see him I procured an invitation to one of these receptions.
CHINESE AMBASSADOR. KUO SUNG TUO. 1877.
RAS MAKOUNNEN. 1903.
CHINESE AMBASSADOR. CHANG TA JEN. 1903.
The deposed monarch who looked quite jolly and robust shook me by the hand as though I mightbe some one in authority. My visit afterwards bore fruit inVanity Fair, for I represented him as I saw him, nearly bursting through his light grey tweed suit with a kingly headgear of black velvet enriched with gold braid and a golden tassel attached.
On leaving this country I was told that his chief ambition was to take back with him some good specimens of our best sporting dogs. Well-bred fox terriers were procured, therefore, but when shown to him he feared they would not be strong enough, for it was for hunting he required them, "for hunting the man," so I believe bloodhounds filled their place.
In the case of the Shah of Persia it was different, for when eventually I gained an audience at Marlborough House he received me with courtesy, and I was somewhat embarrassed on seeing him desert (at all eventspro tem.), several gentlemen, great authorities on the latest improvement in guns which were being shown him at his especial request. I was directed to the window and His Majesty evidently anxious to assist me, ordered the curtains to be drawn further apart that I might see him in a good light, he then came so close that I could focus only his nose which certainly wasthefeature in his face.
After making my obeisance I withdrew in favour of those I previously stood in the way of; and from the slight sketch I made and, relying on my memory for the rest, I eventually made my picture.
Having already studied the Viscount Tadasa Hayashi, a distinguished Japanese Minister at the court of St. James', and wishing to depict him in evening dress I persuaded him to come to my studioand to bring with him his star and ribbon. With the characteristic courtesy of the best of his race he appeared most good-naturedly in the early morning, dressed as though he were going to an evening reception, and thoroughly entered into the spirit of his portrait and my work.
Among the large number of Ministers and Ambassadors I have depicted, I may mention the names of Counts Munster, Paul Metternich, Mensdorff, Messrs. Choate, Bayard, Hay and Whitelaw Reid, and last but not least Count Benckendorff.
The latter (whom I have frequently had the pleasure of meeting at the Beefsteak Club) amused me greatly when he came to my studio by saying, "It is a simple task you have before you, you have only to draw an egg—a nose—and an eyeglass and it is done."
Wagner.—Richter.—Dan Godfrey.—Arthur Cecil.—Sir Frederick Bridge and bombs.—W. S. Penley.—Sir Herbert Tree.—Max Beerbohm.—Mr. and Mrs. Kendal.—Harry Kemble.—Sir Edgar Boehm.—George Du Maurier.—Rudyard Kipling.—Alfred Austin.—William Black.—Thomas Hardy.—W. E. Henley.—Egerton Castle.—Samuel Smiles.—Farren.—Sir Squire and Lady Bancroft.—Dion Boucicault and his wife.—Sir Charles Wyndham.—Leo Trevor.—Cyril Maude.—William Gillette.—The late Dion Boucicault.—Arthur Bourchier.—Allan Aynesworth.—Charlie Hawtrey.—The Grossmiths.—H. B. Irving.—W. L. Courtney.—Willie Elliott.—"Beau Little."—Henry Arthur Jones.—Gustave Doré.—J. MacNeil Whistler.—Walter Crane.—F.C.G.—Lady Ashburton and her forgetfulness.
Wagner.—Richter.—Dan Godfrey.—Arthur Cecil.—Sir Frederick Bridge and bombs.—W. S. Penley.—Sir Herbert Tree.—Max Beerbohm.—Mr. and Mrs. Kendal.—Harry Kemble.—Sir Edgar Boehm.—George Du Maurier.—Rudyard Kipling.—Alfred Austin.—William Black.—Thomas Hardy.—W. E. Henley.—Egerton Castle.—Samuel Smiles.—Farren.—Sir Squire and Lady Bancroft.—Dion Boucicault and his wife.—Sir Charles Wyndham.—Leo Trevor.—Cyril Maude.—William Gillette.—The late Dion Boucicault.—Arthur Bourchier.—Allan Aynesworth.—Charlie Hawtrey.—The Grossmiths.—H. B. Irving.—W. L. Courtney.—Willie Elliott.—"Beau Little."—Henry Arthur Jones.—Gustave Doré.—J. MacNeil Whistler.—Walter Crane.—F.C.G.—Lady Ashburton and her forgetfulness.
I was a privileged member of a select audience at a rehearsal in 1877 at the Albert Hall with the intention of studying Wagner and his eccentricities, while he was conducting one of his own operas, therefore, I was not as surprised as I might have been when I observed him waving his baton and growing more and more excited, dancing on and off his stool, until finally losing his head he grew very angry with everything and everybody, and gave up evidently in fear of one of those nervous attacks to which he was subject. Richter then took the baton and conducted magnificently.
Under very different circumstances I studied Dan Godfrey the bandmaster, a very different type of musician, when he had just been promoted to the rank of lieutenant. An officer on guard invited me to breakfast after I had watched him conduct the band in the quadrangle of St. James' Palace, to enable me to examine his features more clearly.
Arthur Cecil, the actor, loved music and was a born musician in addition to his interest in the stage, and was for some time in co-partnership with Mrs. John Wood at the Court Theatre. He was the first Baron Stein inDiplomacy. During his fatal illness at Brighton I visited him in the nursing home, and his first words to me were uttered in complaint of his food, for he dearly loved his food.
"What do you think they gave me to-day?" he said. "A boiled mutton chop." When he was convalescent he gained permission from his doctor to go, with his nurse, to reside at the Brighton Orleans Club, and whenever the menu was put before him, he selected the choice dishes dear to his heart (or his palate) that had been forbidden him a very short time previously. His greatest pleasure, however, was to be able to play the piano again, and that he did before me in the private hospital, his first selection being some music from his favourite opera of "Hansel und Gretel." Owing to his indiscretion during convalescence, he caught cold which caused his death prematurely, for he was under sixty.
After many times acting as an amateur he joined German Reed's company at St. George's Hall, and from there went to the Haymarket Theatre, after which he had a distinguished career as an actor in comedy. He was very popular both at the Garrick and Beefsteak Clubs. Of course Sir Frederick Bridge was an acquaintance of his, for Arthur was devoted to sacred music. Although it is quite ten years since I portrayed Sir Frederick he appeared just the same when I saw him recently at lunch at our mutual friend, C. S. Cockburn's house. He has, I think, officiated at innumerable historicalceremonies, including the Jubilees of '87 and '97, as well as the Coronations of King Edward and King George. He told me the following story, in the terse and witty manner which is so characteristic of him.
RICHARD WAGNER. 1877.
THE ABBÉ LISZT. 1886.
"In '87, just before the Queen's Jubilee, a good deal of alarm was experienced in consequence of the Fenian outrages, and the very frequent discoveries of clockwork bombs in black bags. Previous to the Royal visit, the Abbey was closed to the public and the utmost precautions were taken by the officials to ensure the Royal safety, by the order of Colonel Majendie (another of my victims) the Chief Inspector of Explosives. Every portion of the choir stand was examined, and even the organ pipes and every corner of the Abbey was subjected to vigorous inspection. The day before the Royal ceremony, I called a rehearsal of the band, and after their departure I remained in the organ loft to look over my music for the next day, in the company of a young pupil, who interrupted me when I was engrossed in my music, by calling my attention to a strange noise.
"'Listen, Doctor,' he said, 'don't you hear a ticking?'
"'Ticking!' I shouted. 'Where?'
"Jumping out of my seat, I listened intently, and sure enough, I heard a faint sound that was strangely ominous, and in the corner of the loft I saw that fateful sight—a little black bag.
"I confess I behaved very badly, for instead of waiting to be blown to pieces for my country, I left the loft as quickly as possible and hastened into the Cloister, where I met an old servant. He was a comfortable looking old creature with a glass eye.
"'Graves,' I said, 'go up into the organ loftand fetch a little black bag that you will find in the corner.'
"'Yes, sir,' he replied, and ambled off unsuspectingly. Then I waited. I do not know what I expected to see—a headless Graves returning in some gruesome but faithful remnant trying to perform this last request—but I breathed again when he reappeared safe and sound—with the bag—which contained an alarm clock, ticking away very merrily. I discovered upon inquiry that a cornet in the band had bought the clock for his wife on the way to the rehearsal, and how he had escaped detection, with the bag, and run the gauntlet of the fifty policemen who were guarding the Abbey I never quite knew. If a rumour of my discovery had got into the papers, I do not think the Queen would have come to the Abbey; as it was, I might have made my fortune by giving a nice little account of it to the Press.
"That is my only experience of dynamite. Graves died safely in bed a short time ago, and when I sent a wreath to his funeral, I thought of the episode of the bag, for to the day of his death, he used to say, 'You very nearly blew me up that time, sir!'"
Quite recently Sir Frederick has married again for the third time.