Plate XXVII
FLORENCE DOMBEY AND CAPTAIN CUTTLE
From an Original Water-colour Drawing by R. W. BUSS
Lent by the Rev. A. J. Buss.
During the period of struggle for a livelihood, the artist's wife and daughter came nobly to his assistance by establishing, in 1850, the North London Collegiate School for Ladies (as it was then designated), which developed into the leading school in the cause of Female Education. In order to give it a higher grade than other similar seminaries had then attained, Buss not only became its professor of drawing, but teacher of science too, first devoting himself to the study of Chemistry, Botany, Human Physiology, Mechanics, Hydraulics, &c., and he soon became qualified for his self-imposed responsibilities. His artistic capabilities here stood him in good stead, for they enabled him to prepare large diagrams with which to illustrate his lectures; in addition to this, he made his own models for demonstrating the science of Mechanics—thus proving the power he possessed of adapting himself to circumstances, in the earnest desire to obtain a living and in his love for wife and children. "I do not think," observes the Rev. A. J. Buss, when corresponding with me on this subject, "I ever knew a man so industrious as my father. I have a clear remembrance almost from my childhood of his industry,—early morning in his painting-room—up to late hours drawing on wood and etching. He deserved better fortune than he secured; and I have only learnt to admire him the more, the more I think of his career."
At the death of his wife, the artist led a very retired life, in a studio most picturesquely fitted up with ancient furniture, and here it was that he devoted the latter years of his life in preparing for publication his lectures on Art, being aided and encouraged in his congenial task by his affectionate daughter, the late Frances Mary Buss, who subsequently gained high distinction in connection with Education. This profusely-illustrated volume, printed for private circulation, was issued in 1874, and bore the following title: "English Graphic Satire, and its relation to Different Styles of Painting, Sculpture, and Engraving. A Contribution to the History of the English School of Art."
Robert William Buss died at his residence in Camden Street, Camden Town, on February 26, 1875, in his seventy-first year. The end came very quietly and painlessly to him who had fought the battle of life so honestly and so fearlessly.
FOOTNOTES:
[13] The picture afterwards changed hands for six or seven times the amount originally received by the painter. It eventually became the property of his daughter, the late Miss Frances Mary Buss, for many years the Head-mistress of the North London Collegiate School for Girls, in the Drawing-School of which institution this interesting canvas now hangs.
[14] This design has been reproduced by photo-lithography, impressions of which may occasionally be found in copies of "Pickwick."