194 RIVERSIDE LETTERS XXV 



Sir Edwin looking out of his studio 

 window. 



I paid so little regard to William's customary 

 formula that at last he gave it up and would 

 merely show me into the drawing-room and 

 say that he would go and tell Miss Jessy. I 

 had seldom long to wait before Landseer 

 himself would appear, in an old home-spun 

 shooting jacket ; calico sleeves were tied on 

 his arms like those that butchers' wear. He 

 wore generally an old straw hat, the brim of 

 which was lined with green, had his palette 

 and brushes in his hand and looked ex- 

 tremely picturesque, reminding me strongly 

 of some of the figures in Rembrandt's 

 etchings. He did not, at once, speak, but 

 would gaze at me with a queer scrutinising 

 look, full of expression, for a moment or two, 

 his lips beginning to quiver and move a little 

 before the words came. He was always 

 extremely kind and courteous in his manner. 

 I was often struck by the great deference and 

 politeness which he invariably showed to any 



