GARDENS OF CELEBRITIES 
wear. There were more flowers in the garden then than now— 
but I cannot recall the “‘ Ali Baba ’’ pots—of which there are now 
several and which appear in the drawing, though they may have 
been there ; but the President probably secured them when William 
Morris obtained those that are so conspicuous in the garden at 
Kelmscott House. It was the month of roses, and from astandard 
tree near the house, he plucked and gave to me a lovely rose. I believe 
I have it still, shrivelled and faded, but intact, somewhere in the 
recesses of an old writing-desk used by me in those girlish days. 
And lest any should deem me foolishly romantic, let them 
remember that the bond between master and pupil is a very strong 
one—as strong as that which binds students to their Alma Mater, 
that I shared to the full the passionate admiration that all who 
came in contact with Sir Frederick Leighton felt for the man, and 
that, at that time, all students, and a large section of the art world, 
felt for the genius of the artist. Perhaps he was right when he 
himself said—for his opinion of himself was a humble one—‘ I 
am not a great painter;’’ but he was inspired by lofty ideals, 
and insomuch as he was always striving to finish his work up to his 
first conception, he was a great artist. 
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