412 THE ORIGINAL PAINTER. 



me, and asked if " I had ever seen a percussion-lock." I had not, for 

 that improvement was not yet in vogue. He not only explained the supe- 

 riority of the lock in question, but undertook to prove that it was capable 

 of acting effectually under water. The bell was rung, a flat basin of 

 water was produced, the gun was charged with powder, and the lock 

 fairly immersed. The report terrified the birds, causing them to beat 

 against the gilded walls of their prisons. I remarked this to the artist.' He 

 replied, " The devil take the birds ! — more of them in the market ; why. 

 Sir, I wish to shew you that I am a marksman as well as a painter." The 

 easel was cleared of the large picture, rolled to the further end of the room, 

 and placed against the wall. The gun was loaded in a trice, and the painter, 

 counting ten steps from the easel, and taking aim at the supporting-pin 

 on the left, fired. The bullet struck the head of the wooden pin fairly, 

 and sent the splinters in all directions. " A bad shot, sir," said this ex- 

 traordinary person, " the ball ought to have driven the pin farther into 

 the hole, but it struck on one side ; I'll try at the hole itself." After re- 

 loading his piece, the artist took aim again, and fired. The bullet this 

 time had accomplished its object, for it had passed through the aperture, 

 and hit the wall behind. " Mr , ring the bell and close the win- 

 dows," said the painter, and turning to me, continued, " Sir, I will shew 

 you the ne plus ultra of shooting." I was quite amazed, and yet so de- 

 lighted, that I bowed my assent. A servant having appeared, a lighted 

 candle was ordered. When it arrived, the artist placed it in a proper 

 position, and retiring some yards, put out the light with a buUet, in the 

 manner which I have elsewhere, in this volume, described. When light 

 was restored, I observed the uneasiness of the poor little alhgator, as it 

 strove to effect its escape from the artist's waistcoat. I mentioned this to 

 him. " True, true," he replied, " I had quite forgot the reptile, he shall 

 have a dram ;" and unbuttoning his vest, unclasped a small chain, and 

 placed the alligator in the basin of water on the table. 



Perfectly satisfied with the acquaintance which I had formed with 

 this renowned artist, I wished to withdraw, fearing I might inconvenience 

 him by my presence. But my time was not yet come. He bade me sit 

 down, and paying no more attention to the young pupils in the room than 

 if they had been a couple of cabbages, said, " If you have leisure and will 

 stay awhile, I will" shew you how I paint, and will relate to you an in- 

 cident of my Ufe, which wiU prove to you how sadly situated an artist is 

 at times." In full expectation that more eccentricities were to be witness- 



