THE IMPERTURBABLE COMMODORE. 117 
other than his new companion, and complimented 
him accordingly. ‘ Ay,” said he, ‘‘the world is 
pleased with my work, I wish I were so too; but 
time and industry are necessary, as well as tal- 
ents to make a good painter. If you have lei- 
gure, and will stay awhile, I will show you how 
‘I paint, and will relate to you an incident of my 
life, which will prove to you how sadly situated 
an artist is sometimes.” On receiving an assent, 
he continued: “Sir, if you should ever paint, 
and paint portraits, you will often meet with dif 
ficulties. For instance, the brave commodore of 
whom this is the portrait,” pointing to the picture 
occupying the easel before him, “ the brave com- 
modore, though an excellent man at everything 
else, is the worst sitter I ever saw. The first 
morning that he came to me, he was in full uni- 
form, and with a sword at his side, After afew 
minutes conversation, and when all was ready on 
my part, I bade him ascend this throne, place 
himself in an attitude which I contemplated, and 
assume an air becoming an officer of the navy. 
“Well, he mounted, placed himself as I nad 
desired, but merely looked at me as if I had 
been a block of stone. I waited a few minutes, 
when, observing no change in his countenance, 
Tran the chalk over the canvass to form a rough 
outline. This done, I looked up to his face again, 
and opened a conversation which I thought would 
