Xanfcsecr anfc /IDlllate 617 



But by far the most amazing instance of Landsccr's 

 technical powers is that given by the late Mr. Solomon 

 Hart, R.A. A large party was assembled one evening 

 at the house of a gentleman in the upper ranks of 

 London <( Society " ; crowds of ladies and gentlemen of 

 distinction were present, including Landseer, who was, 

 as usual, a lion ; a large group gathered about the sofa 

 where he was lounging ; the subject turned on dexterity 

 and facility in feats of skill with the hand. No 

 doubt the talk was ingeniously led in this direction 

 by some who knew that Sir Edwin could do 

 wonders of dexterous draughtsmanship, and were not 

 unwilling to see him draw, but they did not expect 

 what followed. A lady, lolling back on a settee, and 

 rather tired of the subject, as ladies are apt to become 

 when conversation does not appeal to their feelings or 

 their interests, exclaimed, after many instances of 

 manual dexterity had been cited, " Well, there is one 

 thing nobody has ever done, and that is, draw two 

 things at once." She had signalised herself by quashing 

 a subject of conversation, and was about to return to 

 her most becoming attitude, when Landseer said, " Oh, 

 I can do that; lend me two pencils, and I will show 

 you." The pencils were got, a piece of paper was laid 

 on the table, and Sir Edwin, a pencil in each hand, 

 drew simultaneously, and without hesitation, with one 

 hand the profile of a stag's head and all its antlers 

 complete, and with the other the perfect profile of a 

 horse's head. Both drawings were full of energy and 

 spirit, and although, as the occasion compelled, not 

 finished, they were, together and individually, quite as 



