Resting for a short time, we started for Broderick, having the entire length of Glen Rosa to traverse, and then, after a long walk by the shore of the bay, we reached the inn, having been on foot, instead of four, over seven hours!

The next day was our last in the island, and we again went to Glen Rosa, where some of the best negatives of the series were secured. I left with regret, for Arran and its lovely surroundings are examples of Scotch scenery that will never be eradicated from my memory.

CHAPTER XXXII.

Stories: The Old Masters; The De Wint Drawings; Two Picture Dealers; General Washington's Portrait; A £1,000 Picture; “King Hudson"; Anecdotes of Mrs. Hudson; The Pair of Globes; The Duke of Wellington; Marcus Aurelius; Strange History of a Sir Joshua Reynolds.

In this final chapter of my work a few short stories are related, which it is hoped may be considered an appropriate conclusion to my "Recollections."

The Old Masters.

A lady I had known for several years brought one of her acquaintances to my studio. The latter wished to have photographs of her four beautiful children enlarged, and finished in crayons.

This was done. For the crayon work the services of a thoroughly skilled artist were obtained, and the drawings proved a great success.

Some time afterwards my friend called upon the mother of the beautiful children, and remarked to her, "Mr. Vernon Heath ought to

do a portrait of you as a centre to those he has done so well-it would be so appropriate and nice."

The reply was decisive and unanswerable: "Oh no! my husband has promised to take me to Rome to be painted by the old masters!"

The De Wint Drawings.

In the year 1866, when visiting a friend at Welwyn, he expressed a wish that I should see some drawings by De Wint, the property of a neighbour, Lady "Whether," he said, "they have any value, I can't tell, but this I know, they have to be sold." In due course I was introduced to the owner of the drawings in question, and on entering the dining-room was surprised to find myself in the presence of a number of old and valued friends-originals of well-known engravings.

I expressed the belief that she possessed some valuable De Wints. "Yes," was the rejoinder; "I find they are of considerable value, for a gentleman from London offered me last week £400 for them-in all, eight subjects."

I ventured, therefore, to suggest that if this

gentleman called again he should be told that one who knew well their value had advised that for the present no offer to purchase should be entertained. Returning to town, I called at Christie's, and described the valuable "find,” and they urged that the drawings should be sent at once to their sale-rooms, in order that they might be included in one of the important sales of the season.

This was the upshot: "The Hay Field" realised £321 6s., the remaining seven fetching £858 18s., a total of £1,180 4s.; £780 4s. in excess of the gentleman's offer!

Having been present at the time, I frankly admit that I left the sale-room pleased with the result, and well satisfied that a chance call upon had enabled me to be of such ser

Lady vice.

Two Picture Dealers.

In 1874 I made the acquaintance of a gentleman who, a short time previously, had inherited a baronetcy.

He contemplated buying modern pictures, so we went the following year to the opening day of

V

the Royal Academy, and saw a picture which appeared to be suitable for his purpose.

He hesitated, and as it was early in the day, proposed to adjourn to his club and talk over the matter at breakfast. Returning to Burlington House, we found that during our absence the very thing had happened which I foresaw-the well-known red star of those days, signifying its sale, was affixed to the picture.

This was disappointing, for I had a high opinion of its merits, and discovered later that I was not alone in my judgment, as it changed hands before the close of the exhibition for double the price asked in the first instance.

Strolling through the Academy, we found that two pictures of decided excellence had been bought by two well-known picture dealers, Mr. A —and Mr. B—, so my friend commissioned me to call upon them.

I went first to Mr. A-, who asked a price for his picture that was three times in excess of my estimate, consequently the negotiations failed. On my casually remarking that I was going to Mr. B—, he said, "What, are you going to Mr. B? Indeed, you must be very careful