he picture, but that I should also throw into it
all the fire I possess, and the larger picture would, in
consequence, become cold. This would also be making a sort of copy,
which it would annoy me to do. Thus, sir, after thoroughly weighing
and examining everything, I think it best _that I should be left
free to act as I like_. This is what I require from all those for
whom I wish to do my best; and this is also what I beg your friend
towards whom I am desirous of acting conscientiously, to let me do.
He can tell me what size he wishes the picture to be, with the
general subject of it, such as calm, tempest, sun-rise, sun-set,
moon-light, landscape, marine-piece, etc., but nothing more.
Experience has taught me that, when I am constrained by the least
thing, I always succeed worse than generally.

"If you wish to know the usual prices of my pictures, they are as
follows:--For every one four feet wide, and two and a half, or
three high, L60, for every one three feet wide, and of a
proportionate height, L48; for every one two feet and a half wide
L40; for every one two feet wide, L32; and for every one eighteen
inches wide, L24, with larger or smaller ones as required; but it
is as well to mention that I succeed much better with the large
ones."

CHARLES VERNET.

Antoine Charles Horace Vernet was the son of Claude Joseph Vernet, and
born at Bordeaux in 1758. He acquired distinction as a painter, and was
made a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor, and of the order of St Michael.
He chiefly excelled in battle and parade pieces of large dimensions; and
he thus commemorated the battles of Rivoli, Marengo, Austerlitz, Wagram,
the Departure of the Marshals, and other events of French history which
occurred during his artistical career. More pleasing to many are his
smaller pictures, mostly referring to battles and camps. He was
uncommonly successful in depicting the horse, and there are numerous
equestrian portraits by him, which are greatly admired. His studies from
nature, and his hunting pieces, for vivacity, spirit, and boldness of
conception, are only rivaled by those of his son Horace. Many of his
works have been lithographed; the twenty-eight plates in folio,
illustrating the Campaign of Bonaparte in Italy, are esteemed among his
most successful efforts. He died in 1836.

ANECDOTE OF CHARLES VERNET.

A short time b