"Snowballs"
In 1871, many favourable notices appeared in the press referring to the humorous illustrations in London Society; but the sketch of all others which attracted attention to the work of the unknown artist was "A Debating and Mutual Improvement Society" on page [21], a recollection probably of some meeting or actual scene in Manchester.[1] Here the artist was on his own ground, and the result is one of the most rapid and spontaneous sketches in pen and ink ever achieved. It had many of the characteristics of his later work, a lively and searching analysis of character, without one touch of grossness or ill-nature—fun and satire of the subtlest and the kindliest. Here was the touch of genius unmistakable, an example of expression in line seldom equalled.
"Heigh-ho, The Holly!"
* * * * *
"That's not Rosalind: oh dear no—
That damsel under the misletoe,
Who seems to think life jolly:
And as to the gentleman there behind,
He wouldn't have pluck to kiss Rosalind,
Can't you fancy his 'Heigh-ho, the Holly!'"
Mortimer Collins.
In an altogether different vein, drawing with pen, and a brush for the tint,—the new artist tries his hand at illustrating one of Mortimer Collins's madrigals called "Heigh-ho, the Holly!"