A Rothschild as a Beggar.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 214, 7 September 1895, Page 11

A Rothschild as a Beggar.

Dining on one occasion with Baron James do Rothschild, Eugene Delacroix, the famous French painter, confessed thab for gome time past he had vainly soughb a head to servo as a model for thab of a beggar in a painting on which he was then engaged, and that, as he gazed as his host's features, the idea suddenly struck him thab the very head he desired was before him. Rothschild being a great admirer of art, readily consented to eit for him as a beggar. The next day afc the studio, Delacroix placed a tunic around his shoulders, put a stout staff in his band, and made him pose as if he were reeting on the steps of an ancient Roman temple. In this attitudo ho was discovered by one of the artist's favourite pupile, who, struck by the surpassing excollence of the model, congratulated his master on having; at lasb, found exactly wha*i he wanted. Naturally concluding the model had only just been bronghb in from some church porch, he seized an opportunity, when his master's eyes were turned, to slip a piece of money into the boggar's hand. Baron Ilobbschild thanked him with a look, and kept the money. The pupil soon quitted the studio. In answer to inquiries made, Delacroix told tho baron thatthis young man possessed talent, but no moans. Shortly afterwards the young fellow received a letter stating that charity bears interest, and that tho accumulated interest) on the amount ho hud so generously given to one whom he supposed to be a beggar was ropreßentod by the sum of 10,000 francs, which wae lying at hie disposal ab the Rothschild office.