Forty Years of 'Spy'

In 1913, I was commissioned by Mayfair to make a drawing of the distinguished scientist, Sir John Murray, who died recently. He was a splendid subject, and had a most picturesque head. His portrait, which was exhibited in the New Gallery, was painted by Sir George Reid, and is one of the most striking in my memory. Mr. Bowie, the well-known Scottish A.R.S.A., to whom I recently sat for the portrait exhibited at the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, which has been so well noticed, also painted a very life-like portrait of Sir George Reid.

Mr. Birch Crisp, the well-known stockbroker, who was responsible for the Chinese and Russian loans, was one of my recent subjects in Mayfair. He sat several times in spite of the fact that he is an extremely busy man and rarely to be found out of his office. He was very interested in my work, and has made a representative collection of it, which hangs in his beautiful house near Ascot.

Another of the most interesting of my later-day subjects was Mr. Locker-Lampson. His cleancut face with its strongly-marked features shows the determined character of the man. A good story is told by him in connection with the General Election of 1910. He was due at a political meeting in the neighbourhood of the Fen district, and being already rather behind time, his car was at top speed when they turned an awkward corner of the road—and passengers and car were suddenly in the water. Mr. Locker-Lampson scrambled to the bank, left the car and proceeded to the local vicarage, where he borrowed the parson's coat and spoke that night at three meetings. The next morning all the village turned out to the scene of the accident; there was the stranded car and from a pole attached to it a banner waved in the wind bearing the words "Locker's In," and he got in all right by a big majority.

Last year at the request of the staff of The Pall Mall Gazette and The Observer, I made a portrait of their editor, Mr. Garvin. Owing to a family bereavement I was not able to be at the presentation dinner, to my regret, as I had very much enjoyed the opportunity of meeting and drawing this very distinguished man of letters.

As I conclude this book, so, incidents during my professional career of forty-three years seem to arise, but I must not try the patience of my readers by referring to any more.

It strikes me that the average standard of portrait painting has now for many years past been in the ascendant, but that snapshot photography has to a great extent interfered with the old form of coloured caricature, which was for so long a feature of Vanity Fair, although the increase of illustrated journalism has both aided and encouraged the development of many a clever caricaturist.

Again I hesitate to mention names lest I should leave out some of the best, and, à propos of this, I have always found it wiser when asked the questions, "Who is the best portrait painter of the day for men?" or "Who do you consider paints women best?" to reply in joke, "Why, of course, I am the best for both men and women." Thus one does not commit one's self; as I have invariably found when I have mentioned a name that the answer has been, "Oh! do you really think so? I can't bear his portraits, he has just painted me and my wife, and we have had to relegate both the pictures to the 'Servants' Hall.'"

The illustrations in Punch stand as high as the names of its excellent artists, and of course caricature portraiture plays its part prominently there in black and white, as it also does in many of the magazines and evening papers.

"Poster" work is in a strong position, too, in this manner, and here I must again refrain from individualising its chief exponents.

One word also in praise of the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, and the work of its members, of whom it is only necessary to read down the list to realise how representative it is, and where I am proud to have contributed my latest portrait in oil—that of Mr. M. P. Grace, the present occupant of "Battle Abbey," my ambition now being to devote a far greater portion of my time to strict portraiture.

Praise is as acceptable to an artist as to any other worker, and in addition to the kindly tributes of my personal friends I should like to express appreciation for those I have received from strangers. I was particularly gratified to receive the following letter:—

    "Nov. 19th, 1904.

"My dear Sir,

"As a reader of 'Vanity Fair,' I much desire to take the opportunity of wishing you many happy returns for your birthday on Monday, and of sending you a few cordial and sincere words of greeting for that occasion. I suppose you will receive many such messages from friends both known and unknown, whilst others not caring to trouble you will at least think upon your name with much respect, and with such thoughts will couple expressions of good will.

"This is, of course, quite as it should be, and, personally, I would assure you of my very high esteem and regard. I thank you most sincerely for the pleasure your cartoons ever gave me, and for the successful part you take in making 'Vanity Fair' such a splendid publication. I read much, owing to indifferent health precluding my indulgence in vigorous exercise of any kind, thereby necessitating my leisure being spent in quiet and instructive pastimes—such as a study of art, literature, and music.

"I would express in all sincerity my fervent hope that every happiness and joy this world can possibly give may be yours to enjoy, with an entire lack of all that tends in any way to cause trouble or promote pain. Particularly do I wish you excellent health. Nothing, I feel sure, adds to or detracts more from life than the physical state—hence my remark. May all good luck and fortune attend you, and permit you to continue for many years yet your splendid work as an artist. Somehow I feel that words are quite inadequate to express all that is in one's heart to say. I can only ask you, therefore, my dear Sir, to accept my poorly expressed words as heartfelt and sincere, and believe them to come from one who takes the keenest interest in yourself and your fine work.

"Can you kindly oblige by replying to the two following questions for me:—

"1. Where may a brief and authentic sketch of your life and career be found? I much desire to have the opportunity of perusing such.

"2. Also may I enquire where a good portrait of yourself may be procured? I am anxious to have a good one for framing, as a slight personal 'memento' (if I may so call it) of one whose work greatly interests me.

"Wishing you again many happy returns, offering you my sincerest congratulations, and hoping you are well,

    "I am, my dear Sir,
    "Very sincerely yours,
    "A Reader of 'Vanity Fair.'

"Leslie Ward, Esq., 'Spy.'"

So kind a letter I naturally preserve with gratification.

POSTSCRIPT

In March last, and for the two months that I spent in the Empire Hospital, Vincent Square, I received from Mr. Jocelyn Swan and Mr. Reginald Ingram the best surgical and medical skill that man could wish for. The hospital itself, which is for paying patients (excepting during the war, in the cases of military officers), and which contains a number of comfortable private rooms, is perfectly managed. Then it was that a combination of Brighton air and a delightfully conducted nursing home hastened my convalescence and quickly gave me the desire to work again.

One of the principal consolations of convalescence I found, as soon as I was well enough to receive them, lay in the visits of my friends. It was with particular pleasure—for we had not met for a long time—that I saw Sir Willoughby Maycock by my bedside at the Empire Hospital. I was also much honoured and gratified by receiving a visit from the Duchess of Argyll, who, on learning of my illness, expressed a wish to see me.

During convalescence I made up my mind to write an additional chapter of this book, and indeed I went so far as to cause search to be made for the notes upon which the chapter was to be based, and for the material which I had prepared before my illness. Unfortunately, however, notes and material alike had disappeared—irretrievably; and I am forced to conclude without the chapter I had planned. I should like to append here a note which really bears upon the pages dealing with my school-days at Eton, and which to my mind has considerable historical interest. It refers to the Brocas at Eton.

"Sir John de Brocas was a Gascon Knight who became an officer of Edward the Second's Household, and settled in England. His third son, Sir Bernard Brocas, was a great favourite with the Black Prince, and Master of the Horse to his father Edward the Third. He was also a friend of William of Wykeham, sat in ten parliaments for Hampshire, and chamberlain to Richard the Second's queen. By his second marriage (in 1361) with Mary, widow of Sir John de Borhunte, he became hereditary Master of the Royal Buckhounds, a post which his descendants held until 1633, when they sold it. He owned a lot of property in and about Windsor and Clewer, whence comes the name the Brocas Clump, etc., but his chief estate was at Beaurepaire, near Basingstoke. He died in 1395, and was buried in St. Edmund's Chapel, Westminster Abbey."

Finally, I see that in telling the story of Craigie at the Beefsteak Club on pages 175-176 I have omitted to mention some members who almost invariably accompanied him and helped greatly to make the Beefsteak meetings so agreeable. I should not like to appear forgetful of Lord Hothfield, Sir George Chetwynd, Mr. 'Johnny' Morgan, Colonel Walter Dally Jones, and Sir J. K. Fowler, of all of whom I have such pleasant memories.

I must now conclude with thanking my friend Charles Jerningham, 'The Linkman,' for his introduction (after persuading me to write my reminiscences) to Mr. Spalding of Messrs. Chatto & Windus. From him and others in this old firm of publishers I have received every help and courtesy. I now say farewell, and hope that the good public will forgive what shortcoming there may be in "Forty Years of 'Spy.'"

notes

1

Spelt Zoffanj on his tombstone.

2

"Dolly" Storey, G. A. Storey, A.R.A.

3

"Gillie" Farquhar is a brother of Lord Farquhar, once a smart society man who knew everybody and whom everybody knew. He travelled and then went on the stage. His conversation was amusing, and his individuality was marked by a keen sense of humour. Arthur Cecil and he were great friends, and as they both became stout were called by their friends "the brothers bulge."

4

The Queen's Messenger to whom I refer possessed the nickname of "Beauty," for as a young man he was strikingly handsome, but later in life he was no longer sought after for his good looks.

5

A crayon portrait of my father by George Richmond is one of his finest accomplishments.

6

C. M. Pitman, always known as "Cherry" Pitman.

7

I had followed the Professor continually in order to get his manner of walking.

8

R.I.M. (Initials of Sir Reginald Macdonald which became his nickname).

9

Where the late Duke of Fife was wrecked.