Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 4).djvu/134

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134
THE STRAND MAGAZINE.

flowers figure in another of the Academy whilst here is a pretty little stuffed antelope, which formed a part of another work in this year's exhibition.


Drawing for the picture of "Andromache."

Together we returned to the great studio, and, sitting down, Sir Frederick recalled many interesting reminiscences in his career.


Study for "Andromache."

The appearance of the President of the Royal Academy is familiar to all. In spite of his sixty-one years he is still one of the handsomest of men. His hair is quite silver, and his features are as perfect and as distinctive as those in his own pictures. He speaks very softly, with combined gentleness and deliberation. His heart is evidently in every subject upon which he converses. When we remember the numerous duties attached to the office of the Presidentship of the Royal Academy, he may almost be regarded as one of the hardest worked men in London. He is in his studio by half-past eight every morning, and previous to that hour he has had his first breakfast, glanced through The Times, opened his letters, and read for three-quarters of an hour besides. He works on his Academy pictures up to the very last moment, and when painting wears a pair of large spectacles with divided glasses, the upper part of the glasses being used for seeing his model at a distance, and the lower for painting. These he has worn for the