“Ordered a what?”
“A lion, sir; have you ordered a lion? because there’s a dead one just come to the door.”
“Oh, very well,” said the great painter, “take him in: I’ll be down directly.”
Dressing hurriedly, he went downstairs, and beheld the enormous beast stretched at full length upon the floor of his studio. The artist quickly arranged his palette, and painted a picture of a lion lying dead in the desert. The picture was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1849, and added greatly to the artist’s fame.
THE LITTLE GIRL TO HER DOLLY.
There, go to sleep, Dolly, in own mother’s lap;
I’ve put on your night-gown and neat little cap;