The things we do!

Were not his school-books full of caricatures of the masters? Whilst his
tutor, Grindley, was lecturing him, did he not draw Grindley
instinctively under his very nose? A painter Clive was determined to be,
and nothing else; and Clive, being then some sixteen years of age, began
to study the art, en regle, under the eminent Mr. Gandish, of Soho.
It was that well-known portrait-painter, Alfred Smee, Esq., R.A., who
recommended Gandish to Colonel Newcome, one day when the two gentlemen
met at dinner at Lady Anne Newcome's table. Mr. Smee happened to examine
some of Clive's drawings, which the young fellow had executed for his
cousins. Clive found no better amusement than in making pictures for
them, and would cheerfully pass evening after evening in that diversion.
He had made a thousand sketches of Ethel before a year was over; a year,
every day of which seemed to increase the attractions of the fair young
creature, develop her nymph-like form, and give her figure fresh graces.


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