The Wedding Day. By George Cruikshank.
FROM THE "INGOLDSBY LEGENDS."
By permission of Messrs. Macmillan & Co.
When on the eve of publication, Cruikshank obtained permission to submit the etchings to Dr. Blomfield, the then Bishop of London. The Bishop took great interest in looking at the pictures, and asked many questions as the series was turned over, expressing his great admiration in the warmest terms. Then turning and looking Cruikshank full in the face, he said:
"And am I right in coming to the conclusion, Mr. Cruikshank, that you are a staunch total abstainer?"
Cruikshank, in relating this incident to us, said he never in all his life felt himself in such an awkward position, for he was obliged to confess that he did indulge in a little alcohol—occasionally—and that in great moderation.
"You astonish me, Mr. Cruikshank!—you very greatly astonish me!" said the Bishop. "For how a man who is able to depict so forcibly all the misery, the horrors and degradation arising from the indulgence in strong drink as you have done, and himself indulge, even in a moderate degree, is a mystery which I cannot understand."
"On my way home," continued Cruikshank, "I felt so inexpressibly ashamed of myself, and how true the Bishop's remarks were, that I resolved at once to begin the change which I had long contemplated, and I subsequently succeeded in bringing about the desired effect.
"It so happened that a few days after my interview with the Bishop, I received an invitation to dine with a gentleman who was famous in Society for the recherché character of his frequent dinner parties, where the wines were of the choicest brands and most tempting quality, and everything was served in the most dainty and perfect fashion.