A. None; but a wise journalist will never criticise sharply.
THE PICK OF THE R.A. PICTURES. No. 2.
No. 139. Ça donne à penser. Not a more suggestive pose does any portrait possess throughout the Galleries. It is described tout court as "Albert Brassey, Esq.," and 'tis the work (and the pleasure) of W. W. Ouless, R.A. "'Tis a fine work!" says Bob to 'Arry. "O' course," returns 'Arry Joker. "Great! 'Ow less could be expected of 'im tho', I dun no." It represents an undecided moment in Mr. Albert Brassey's life. It is as if he were Mr. "All but" Brassey, and wasn't quite certain of what he should do next. There is the writing-desk,—shall he indite a letter? If he does so, shall he take off his thick-fur coat? Or shall he go hunting, since he has on, underneath the furrin' fur, the pink of hunting perfection? Likewise he has his whip and his horn, also his boots! He's "got 'em on!" He's "got 'em all on!" Or shall he hail the 5,000-ton yacht that's lying in the roads just a few yards from his open window, and go out for a cruise? He looks happy, but puzzled.
No. 543. The Picture of the Year. Lamp-light reading; or, Mr. Punch among the Pretty Pets. "Dulce est dissipere in joco." H. H. La Thangue.
No. 167. The Right Hon. H. H. Fowler, M.P. "Presentation Portrait," painted by Arthur S. Cope. "When the Right Hon. Gentleman rose to speak, the House, with the exception of a clerk at the table and two small boys (whose presence within the precincts has never been satisfactorily accounted for) was empty."—Extract from The Imaginary Times Parliamentary Report of that date.
No. 350. Mrs. Keeley at the age of Eighty-six. Looking so well and sprightly, that the Artist must have been at considerable pains to induce her to sit still just one moment for her portrait. Long may she remain with us! Our compliments to the Artist, Julia B. Folkard.
No. 434. Mr. Somerscales has given us the best sea-piece of the year. It shows a "Corvette shortening sail to pick up a shipwrecked crew." "A sale in sight appeared!"—and as the picture, so it is said, was immediately sold, so also were those who came too late to make a bid.