The things we do!

Smee declared, that an artist could get such an
opportunity for colour. With our hideous vermilion uniforms there was no
chance of doing anything; Rubens himself could scarcely manage scarlet.
Look at the horseman in Cuyp's famous picture at the Louvre: the red was
a positive blot upon the whole picture. There was nothing like French
grey and silver! All which did not prevent Mr. Smee from painting Sir
Brian in a flaring deputy-lieutenant's uniform, and entreating all
military men whom he met to sit to him in scarlet. Clive Newcome the
Academician succeeded in painting, of course for mere friendship's sake,
and because he liked the subject, though he could not refuse the cheque
which Colonel Newcome sent him for the frame and picture; but no
cajoleries could induce the old campaigner to sit to any artist save one.
He said he should be ashamed to pay fifty guineas for the likeness of his
homely face; he jocularly proposed to James Binnie to have his head put
on the canvas, and Mr.


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