stence somewhat wider in its range, or,
boldly say, the paradise of the Mohammedan. So long did the artist waver
between these two views, that, before he arrived at a conclusion, he had
finally conceived and completed both designs. With the proverbially
tender heart of the parent, he found himself unable to sacrifice either
of these offspring of his art; and decided to expose them on alternate
days. "In this way," he thought, "I shall address myself indifferently
to all classes of the world."

The tossing of a penny decided the only remaining point; and the more
imaginative canvas received the suffrages of fortune and appeared first
in the window of the mansion. It was of a high fancy, the legend
eloquently writ, the scheme of colour taking and bold; and but for the
imperfection of the artist's drawing, it might have been taken for a
model of its kind. As it was, however, when viewed from his favourite
point against the garden railings, and with some touch of distance, it
caused a pleasurable rising of the artist's heart. "I have thrown away,"
he ejaculated, "an invaluable motive; and this shall be the subject of
my first Academy picture."

The fate of neither of these works was equal to its merit. A crowd would
certainly, from time to time, collect before the area-railings; but they
came to jeer and not to speculate; and those who pushed their inquiries
further, were too plainly animated by the spirit of derision. The racier
of the two cartoons displayed, indeed, no symptom of attractive merit;
and though it had a certain share of that success called scandalous,
failed utterly of its effect. On the day, however, of the second
appearance of the companion work, a real inquirer did actually present
himself before the eyes of Somerset.

This was a gentlemanly man, with some marks of recent merriment, and his
voice under inadequate control.

"I beg your pardon," said he, "but what is the meaning of your
extraordinary bill?"

"I beg yours," returned Somerset hotly. "Its meaning is sufficiently
explicit." And being now, from dire experience, fearful of ridicule, he
was preparing to close the door, when the gentleman thrust his cane into
the aperture.

"Not so fast, I beg of you," said he. "If you really let apartments,
here is a possible tenant at your door; and nothing would give me
greater pleasure than to see the accommodation and to learn your terms."

His heart joyously beating, Somerset admitted the visitor, sho