Mr. Whistler received scant sympathy, the tone of the comment being well noted by this excerpt from the London Standard of November 30th, 1878:
"Of course, Mr. Whistler has costs to pay too, and the amount he is to receive from Mr. Ruskin (one farthing), even if economically expended, will hardly go far to satisfy the claims of his legal advisers. But he has only to paint, or, as we believe he expresses it, 'knock off,' three or four 'symphonies' or 'harmonies'—or perhaps he might try his hand at a Set of Quadrilles in Peacock Blue?—and a week's labor will set all square."
Arthur Lumley, a New York illustrator, met Whistler once at a costume ball at George H. Boughton's house in London. The artist appeared as Hamlet, but in anything but a melancholy mood. Next morning's papers related that the sheriff had sold the effects in the White House the day of the ball to satisfy the claims of his creditors!
* * * * *
Isaac N. Ford, when correspondent of the New York Tribune in London, went with Frederick MacMonnies, the sculptor, to visit Whistler, who brought out a number of portraits for show. One was that of a woman, full figure.
"What do you think of her?" he asked.
The sculptor gave "a side glance and looked down."
"Since you force me to speak,", he finally blurted out, "I must tell you that one leg is longer than the other."
Instead of the expected outburst, Whistler scrutinized the portrait from several points, and then observed quietly:
"You are quite right. I had not observed the fault, and I shall correct it in the morning."