ed his beard, who has become a
family man, and has seen the world in a thousand different phases, avers
that his life as an art-student at home and abroad was the pleasantest
part of his whole existence. It may not be more amusing in the telling
than the chronicle of a feast, or the accurate report of two lovers'
conversation; but the biographer, having brought his hero to the period
of his life, is bound to relate it, before passing to other occurrences
which are to be narrated in their turn.

We may be sure the boy had many conversations with his affectionate
guardian as to the profession which he should follow. As regarded
mathematical and classical learning, the elder Newcome was forced to
admit, that out of every hundred boys, there were fifty as clever as
his own, and at least fifty more industrious; the army in time of peace
Colonel Newcome thought a bad trade for a young fellow so fond of ease
and pleasure as his son: his delight in the pencil was manifest to all.
Were not his school-books full of caricatures of the masters? Whilst
his tutor, Grindley, was lecturing him, did he not draw Grindley
instinctively under his very nose? A painter Clive was determined to be,
and nothing else; and Clive, being then some sixteen years of age, began
to study the art, en regle, under the eminent Mr. Gandish, of Soho.

It was that well-known portrait-painter, Alfred Smee, Esq., R.A., who
recommended Gandish to Colonel Newcome, one day when the two gentlemen
met at dinner at Lady Anne Newcome's table. Mr. Smee happened to examine
some of Clive's drawings, which the young fellow had executed for his
cousins. Clive found no better amusement than in making pictures for
them, and would cheerfully pass evening after evening in that diversion.
He had made a thousand sketches of Ethel before a year was over; a year,
every day of which seemed to increase the attractions of the fair young
creature, develop her nymph-like form, and give her figure fresh graces.
He also of course drew Alfred and the nursery in general, Aunt Anne and
the Blenheim spaniels, and Mr. Kuhn and his earrings, the majestic
John bringing in the coal-scuttle, and all persons or objects in that
establishment with which he was familiar. "What a genius the lad has,"
the complimentary Mr. Smee averred; "what a force and individuality
there is in all his drawings! Look at his horses! capital, by Jove,
capital! and Alfred on his pony, and Miss Ethel in her Spanish hat,