the only painting the artist ever finished
straightaway, instead of working on a number at the same time, as was
his wont.

The picture was in the possession of Mr. Graves. He received a
communication from America, saying that Landseer's work had never been
seen in America; could it be lent for exhibition for a month in New
York, in consideration of which they would take 500 guineas' worth of
proofs, and insure it for L1,000? Here is the story in Mr. Graves's own
words:--

"My American correspondent came over to look to the safety of the
picture. We were dining together with some friends one night, and about
eight o'clock he said:--

"'I must be off to Liverpool--the boat goes at twelve o'clock
to-morrow.'

[Illustration: MISS FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE.

_From a Photograph._]

"I pressed him to stay, remarking he could go by the early train in the
morning and be in good time. He remained, and left on the morrow; the
train was delayed, and he lost the boat. That vessel went down. But what
about the picture? We wrote over to New York so as to get the necessary
documents to claim the insurance, but they replied, 'What do you mean?
The picture is being exhibited!' I had sent 'The Twins' in good time to
Liverpool, and the authorities there noticing the case labelled
'Valuable picture by Landseer--great care,' and having a boat then
going, were just in time to get it on board. Indeed, I believe it was
the last thing received on board by the captain. So the picture went
before, and the agent fortunately went after, the boat that was never
heard of. It now hangs in the house of Mr. Stephenson's nephew."

[Illustration: GRAVEYARD IN THE CRIMEA.]

The drawing-room walls are covered with works of art--Sidney Cooper,
George Frip, Mueller, J. B. Pyne (who was Mueller's master), Absalon (who
designed the grand curtain for Her Majesty's Theatre), and Brittan
Willis are all well represented. Absalon gives "Crecy" and "Agincourt"
as they are to-day. In the latter picture the mill is shown where it is
said the King stood while the Black Prince won the battle. A striking
portrait of Lady Blessington is by Shalon, and there are no fewer than
three valuable portraits of the Queen, one of which is the chalk drawing
by Winterhalter, and the other is the original picture of Her Majesty
painted by Parris from the orchestra of Drury Lane Theatre, a
reproduction of which was published in the third number of this
Magazine, together with the