far as they
go--but, then, they go such a little way ... the "Notes" can only be
regarded as painter's raw material, interesting as correct sketches,
but unworthy the glories of facsimile reproduction, and imposing
margin.... The chief honours of the portfolio belong to the
publishers....

_The Critic-flaneur_

[Sidenote: _Sunday Times_, Jan. 15, 1888.]

Sir,--You, who are, I perceive, in your present brilliant incarnation,
an undaunted and undulled pursuer of pleasing truths, listen, I pray
you, while again I indicate, with sweet argument, the alternative of
the bewildered one.

Notably, it is not necessary that the "Art Critic" should distinguish
between the real and the "reproduction," or otherwise understand
anything of the matter of which he writes--for much shall be forgiven
him--yet surely, as I have before now pointed out, he might inquire.

Had the expounder of exhibitions, travelling for the _Magazine of
Art_, asked the Secretary in the galleries of the Royal Society of
British Artists, he would have been told that the "Notes" on the
staircase, and in the vestibule, are not "delightful sketches in
Indian ink and crayon ... _reproduced in marvellous facsimile_ by
Boussod, Valadon & Co.... unworthy the glories of facsimile
reproduction, and imposing margin" ... while "the chief honours of the
portfolio, however, belong to the publishers"--but are, disconcerting
as I acknowledge it to be, _themselves the lithographs from nature_,
drawn on the stone upon the spot.

Thus easily provided with paragraph, he would also have been spared
the mortification of rebuke from his well-meaning and embarrassed
employers.

Let the gentleman be warned--let him learn that the foolish critic
only,--_looks_--and brings disaster, upon his paper--the safe and
well-conducted one "informs himself."

Yours, Sir, gently,

[Illustration]

_A Played-out Policy_

_TO THE EDITOR
OF THE "PALL MALL GAZETTE":_

[Sidenote: _Pall Mall Gazette_, Dec. 9, 1886.]

Sir--In your courageous crusade against the Demon Dulness and his
preposterous surroundings, I think it well that there should be
delivered into your hands certain documents for immediate publication,
that your readers may be roused quickly, and hear again how well
fenced in are the foolish in strong places--and how greatly to be
desired is their exposure, d