My dear Clive, remarks Mr. Honeyman, with bland dignity, there are degrees in society which we must respect. You surely cannot think of being a professional artist. Such a profession is very well for your young protege; but for you
What for me? cries Clive. We are no such great folks that I know of; and if we were, I say a painter is as good as a lawyer, or a doctor, or even a soldier. In Dr. Johnstons Life which my father is always reading I like to read about Sir Joshua Reynolds best: I think he is the best gentleman of all in the book. My! wouldnt I like to paint a picture like Lord Heathfield in the National Gallery! Wouldnt I just! I think I would sooner have done that, than have fought at Gibraltar. And those Three Graces oh, arent they graceful! And that Cardinal Beaufort at Dulwich! it frightens me so, I darent look at it. Wasnt Reynolds a clipper, thats all! and wasnt Rubens a brick! He was an ambassador, and Knight of the Bath; so was Vandyck. And Titian, and Raphael, and Velasquez? Ill just trouble you to show me better gentlemen than them, Uncle Charles 10 inch strap ons
Far be it from me to say that the pictorial calling is not honourable, says Uncle Charles; but as the world goes there are other professions in greater repute; and I should have thought Colonel Newcomes son strap on strap on
He shall follow his own bent, said the Colonel; as long as his calling is honest it becomes a gentleman; and if he were to take a fancy to play on the fiddle actually on the fiddle I shouldnt object men strap on
Such a rum chap there was upstairs! Clive resumes, looking up from his scribbling. He was walking up and down on the landing in a dressing-gown, with scarcely any other clothes on, holding a plate in one hand, and a pork-chop he was munching with the other. Like this (and Clive draws a figure). What do you think, sir? He was in the Cave of Harmony, he says, that night you flared up about Captain Costigan. He knew me at once; and he says, Sir, your father acted like a gentleman, a Christian, and a man of honour. Maxima debetur puero reverentia. Give him my compliments. I dont know his highly respectable name. His highly respectable name, says Clive, cracking with laughter those were his very words. And inform him that I am an orphan myself in needy circumstances he said he was in needy circumstances; and I heartily wish hed adopt me.
The lad puffed out his face, made his voice as loud and as deep as he could; and from his imitation and the picture he had drawn, I knew at once that Fred Bayham was the man he mimicked.