at is the value of this picture of Titian?"--"That
is a mere accident of the saleroom."

"Is it worth one thousand guineas?"--"It would be worth many
thousands to me."

[Sidenote: "It was just a toss up whether I became an
Artist or an Auctioneer."--W. P. FRITH, R.A.

_REFLECTION:_

He must have tossed up.

[Illustration]]

Mr. FRITH was then examined: "I am an R.A.; and have devoted my life
to painting. I am a member of the Academies of various countries. I am
the author of the 'Railway Station,' 'Derby Day,' and 'Rake's
Progress.' I have seen Mr. Whistler's pictures, and in my opinion they
are not serious works of art. The nocturne in black and gold is not a
serious work to me. I cannot see anything of the true representation
of water and atmosphere in the painting of 'Battersea Bridge.' There
is a pretty colour which pleases the eye, but there is nothing more.
To my thinking, the description of moonlight is not true. The picture
is not worth two hundred guineas. Composition and detail are most
important matters in a picture. In our profession men of equal merit
differ as to the character of a picture. One may blame, while another
praises, a work. I have not exhibited at the Grosvenor Gallery. I have
read Mr. Ruskin's works."

[Sidenote: _REFLECTION:_

A decidedly honest man--I have not heard of him since.

[Illustration]]

Mr. Frith here got down.

Mr. TOM TAYLOR--Poor Law Commissioner, Editor of _Punch_, and so
forth--and so forth:--"I am an art critic of long standing. I have
been engaged in this capacity by the _Times_, and other journals, for
the last twenty years. I edited the 'Life of Reynolds,' and 'Haydon.'
I have _always_ studied art. I have seen these pictures of Mr.
Whistler's when they were exhibited at the Dudley and the Grosvenor
Galleries. The 'Nocturne' in black and gold I do not think a serious
work of art." The witness here took from the pockets of his overcoat
copies of the _Times_, and with the permission of the Court, read
again with unction his own criticism, to every word of which he said
he still adhered. "All Mr. Whistler's work is unfinished. It is
sketchy. He, no doubt, possesses artistic qualities, and he has got
appreciation of qualities of tone, but he is not complete, and all his
works are in the nature of sketching. I have expressed, and still
adhere to the opi