At a social gathering the commencement of a new story by Miss Muloch was humorously discussed. The opening chapter dwelt much on early childhood. The term, "Sacred Blue Pinafore," being used frequently so tickled Walker's fancy that he there and then made a rough sketch in blue chalk, which we here reproduce. The same evening he made the portrait sketch of his friend, W. P. Burton, a clever but eccentric character, who was present at the time.
Fred Walker's art culminated in the production of his "Harbour of Refuge," one of the greatest English pictures for beauty, pathos, and grandeur ever painted. He said one day to a friend, "look at that little old man sitting against the distant tree: that is a portrait of myself when I get to be as old as he."
We considered ourselves fortunate in securing a few of his water colour paintings. Independent of those already referred to, we may mention "Philip in Church," which was the first picture that brought him into prominent notice, and has always been considered a thoroughly representative work. It certainly helped to secure his election into the Old Water Colour Society.
A Woman in the Snow.
FROM "GOOD WORDS."
By Frederick Walker, A.R.A., R.W.S.
Published by Mr. Alexander Strahan.
