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
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
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 free strap on