102 



INCIDENTS OF TRAVEL. 



ries ; and as we were in no hurry to get rid of our 

 subjects, we had more formalities than usual to go 

 through with. 



Our first subject was the lady of the poetical name. 

 It was necessary to hold a consultation upon her 

 costume, whether the colours were pretty and such 

 as would be brought out well or not ; whether a scarf 

 around the neck was advisable ; whether the hair was 

 well arranged, the rose becoming, and in the best 

 position; then to change it, and consider the effect 

 of the change, and to say and do many other things 

 which may suggest themselves to the reader's ima- 

 gination, and all which gave rise to many profound 

 remarks in regard to artistical effect, and occupied 

 much time. 



The lady being arrayed to the best advantage, it 

 was necessary to seat her with reference to a right 

 adjustment of light and shade; to examine carefully 

 the falling of the light upon her face ; then to con- 

 sult whether it was better to take a front or a side 

 view ; to look at the face carefully in both positions ; 

 and, finally, it was necessary to secure the head in the 

 right position ; that it should be neither too high nor 1 

 too low ; too much on one side nor on the other ; 

 and as this required great nicety, it was sometimes 

 actually indispensable to turn the beautiful little head 

 with our own hands, which, however, was a very in- 

 nocent way of turning a young lady's head. 



Next it was necessary to get the young lady into 

 focus — that is, to get her into the box, which, in 



