He also of course drew Alfred and the nursery in general, Aunt Anne and
the Blenheim spaniels, and Mr. Kuhn and his earrings, the majestic John
bringing in the coal-scuttle, and all persons or objects in that
establishment with which he was familiar. "What a genius the lad has,"
the complimentary Mr. Smee averred; "what a force and individuality there
is in all his drawings! Look at his horses! capital, by Jove, capital!
and Alfred on his pony, and Miss Ethel in her Spanish bat, with her hair
flowing in the wind! I must take this sketch, I positively must now, and
show it to Landseer." And the courtly artist daintily enveloped the
drawing in a sheet of paper, put it away in his hat, and vowed
subsequently that the great painter had been delighted with the young
man's performance. Smee was not only charmed with Clive's skill as an
artist, but thought his head would be an admirable one to paint. Such a
rich complexion, such fine turns in his hair! such eyes! to see real blue
eyes was so rare nowadays! And the Colonel too, if the Colonel would but
give him a few sittings, the grey uniform of the Bengal Cavalry, the
silver lace, the little bit of red ribbon just to warm up the picture! it
was seldom, Mr.
Pages:
380
381
382
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404