TATE GALLERY ROMANCE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 44, 20 August 1908, Page 2

TATE GALLERY ROMANCE.

HAPPY SEQUEL. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, 10th July. In its own particular year, one of the most charming portraits exhibited at tho Royal Academy was a picture entitled merely "Ethel." Every one wanted to know who the fair sitter could bo. Sho was a\ charming girl, about 14 years of age, dressed simply in black, seated easily on an ordinary chair with ankles naturally croßßed ; she wore black silk stockings and pretty patent leather shoes. Her features were refined, her expression charming, and her hah" was of rich gold. This picture appealed strongly to the Chantry Bequest, with the result that it was purchased for the nation and placed, in duo course, in the Tate Gallery, London. Ifc is only to-day, however, that the Lon- 1 don public generally is aware of the identity of tho fair sitter./ And enlightenment has come about in an unusual and unexpected manner. Two years ago a. rich Amorican tourist —Mr. Harold Abbot Titcomb, of New. Orleans — went to the Tate Gallery in tho ordinary sight-seemg 1 courao. He wae immensely taken with the picture, and he., would not rest until he found out the idea- i tity of the original, who, by the way, is be found in another portrait group in the .<s»mo gallery called "Tho Sisters." Both piotuTeg are by the came artist — Mr. R. Peacock— «nd the elder sitter in the latter portrait happens to ba tho painter's wife ; so it is ju3t as well that Mr. Titcomb did ' not fall in love with Mrs. PeJktcock. In duo course tho enterprising American wm mads acquainted with "Ethel" His first step was to write to the artist and ask if he would Bell him a copy of it. Mr. Peacock replied that ho would give him the name of an artist friend Avho would execute tho copy. In this way they got into correspondoneo and then on to personal interviews; before long they became very friendly. Then, at Mr. Peacock's studio, "Ethel" herself— Miss Ethel Brignail — was mado acquainted with Mr. TitComb Ha not only possessed himself of tho copy of the portrait, but ho promptly showed a desire to secure the original, and In became suitor for the lady's hand. Tho lady consented, and her family, finding him an , excellent young man, consented also. The wedding took place this weok at Wallington, in Surrey, and created an immense deal of interest. It was a very pretty ceremony. Th© bride has not changed in appearance since she appeared before the-bubhc as the schoolgirl "Ethel," except that "she wears her hair up." Her little page attendant was Mr. Ppacock'3 youthful son, who has also fiirnred in n •well-known picture called "Out of everywhere into here." 1 Mr. Titcomb, in spite of his largo American interests, intends in future to rosido in England with his bride.