"May 2nd, 1888.
"Dear Sir,—The history of the drawing by Leech of 'Tom Smart and the Arm-chair' is, that at the time there was a difficulty about the artist for illustrating 'Pickwick,' Mr. Leech sent it in as a specimen of his ability to illustrate the work. This was in the year 1836, and it was in the possession of my predecessor, Mr. Edward Chapman, until twenty-five years ago, when it came into my possession.—Faithfully yours,
Fred Chapman."
[37] Facsimiles of these have already appeared in my Memoir of John Leech. A duplicate sketch (more completely carried out) of "The Parting Breakfast" will be found in the Print Room of the British Museum, but there is, I believe, some doubt as to its authenticity. The late Mr. G. A. Sala pointed out that the engraving of this subject contains an astonishingly good likeness of that admired comedian, Robert Keeley, as the old servant Britain.
[38] As I write, the decease of that admirable artist and engraver is reported from New Haven, U.S.A. W. J. Linton was born in London in 1812, and had therefore attained a venerable age, spending the latter portion of his life in America. During an extremely active career he produced, among other literary works, a valuable and comprehensive history of the art of which he was undoubtedly the most capable exponent. Mr. Linton, who may justly be termed the father of modern wood-engraving, carried on the tradition of Bewick, and was a thorough champion of the "white-line school." As a zealous Chartist he took an active and prominent part in politics, and, in addition to this, he was a voluminous writer both in poetry and prose, his works including "The English Republic," "Claribel, and other Poems," "A Life of Whittier," &c.
The Haunted Man, 1848.
"The Haunted Man and the Ghost's Bargain"—the last of the Christmas stories—contains five designs by Leech, and one of the original sketches is here reproduced, through the courtesy of the Museum authorities at Nottingham Castle. They are not among Leech's happiest efforts, and do not compare favourably with the vignettes in "A Christmas Carol."
Plate XLVII
"THE TETTERBYS"
Facsimile of the Original Drawing for "The Haunted Man" by
JOHN LEECH
By Permission of the Art Museum Committee of the Corporation of Nottingham.