a student he was capricious and irregular, and did not
leave the impression amongst his fellow-pupils that his future would
be in any way distinguished ... his artistic education seems to have
been mainly acquired by private and independent study....

Mr. Whistler seems to be aware that etchings are usually sought as
much for their rarity as their excellence, and to have determined that
his own plates shall be rare already.

I have been told that, if application is made by letter to Mr.
Whistler for a set of his etchings, he may, perhaps, if he chooses to
answer the letter, do the applicant the favour to let him have a copy
for about the price of a good horse....

Whistler's etchings are not generally remarkable for poetical
feeling....

P. G. HAMERTON,[20]
_Etching and Etchers_.

[Note 20: "If beauty were the only province of art,
neither painters nor etchers would find anything to
occupy them in the foul stream that washes the London
wharfs"--P. G. HAMERTON, _Etching and Etchers_.]

_Uncovered Opinions_

Mr. Whistler's famous "Woman in White" is amongst the rejected
pictures.... The hangers must have thought her particularly ugly, for
they have given her a sort of place of honour, before an opening
through which all pass, so that nobody misses her.

I watched several parties, to see the impression the "Woman in White"
made on them. They all stopped instantly, struck with amazement. This
for two or three seconds; then they always looked at each other and
laughed.

Here, for once, I have the happiness to be quite of the popular way of
thinking.

[21]P. G. HAMERTON,
_Fine Arts Quarterly_.

[Note 21: "Corot is one of the most celebrated
landscape painters in France. The first impression of an
Englishman, on looking at his works, is that they are
the sketches of an amateur; it is difficult at first
sight to consider them the serious performances of an
artist.... I _understand Corot now_, and think his
reputation, if not well deserved, at least easily
accounted for.... Corot must be an early riser."--P. G.
HAMERTON, _Fine Arts Quarterly_.]

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