THE ANIMAL PAINTER. 53 



the celebrated animal painter of that 

 day (some of whose best productions I 

 have been till recently possessed of, they 

 having been given me by my father), 

 to take portraits of his most cele- 

 brated horses, with which to adorn his 

 gallery. The Duke entertained the artist 

 with condescending hospitality, and, one 

 day after dinner, filling his glass and 

 turning to his guest, said, in a half- 

 familiar, half-sneering manner 

 " Cousin Seymour, your health." 

 "I thank your grace," said the painter, 

 "but I have more claims to that appella- 

 tion than you are aware of." 



The proud peer immediately rose from 

 his seat and left the room. In a few 

 minutes the steward entered, with a de- 

 mand from the Duke to know from the 

 artist the amount of his charge, which, 

 upon stating, the steward immediately 

 discharged, saying at the same time 



