Royal Artists.

Otago Witness, Issue 181, 6 August 1886, Page 32

Royal Artists.

Having studied like a student, the Crown Princess now paints as an artist. The powers of the Princess Royal have long been acknowledged in Germany, upon "the art of which country &he has had great and lasting influence. In iB6O she was elected a member of the ' Berlin Academy, where she has constantly exhibited. Painting admirably, as she does, in landscape, portraiture and stilllife, it is perhaps in her portraits that she excels. An artist may be an admirable draughtbman of the figure, he may have the finest technique and a true love of colour, he may possess a perfect mastery of carnations (critics always talk a lot about carnations), and yet fail entirely in portraiture. The one essential thing is the instinct for reading character and the power of seizing upon and depicting, without exaggerating or burlesque, the salient points in the expression of his sitter. That the Princess Royal possesses this gift may be seen by referring to our last illustration. Without knowing the lady, one feels sure that this is a "speaking" likeness. This may be the result of the careful study of character as expressed in physiognomy, which one expects is a lesson early taught to royal children, or one that is quickly gained in courts, if it be not actually inculcated. There is dignity in the simple treatment of this picture, and the easy pose of the figure has been skilfully caught.

We believe that the Princess Royal has studied under Yon Angeli for the figure, and under Wilberg for landscape.

Her Majesty, the Queen, is herself an artist. She sketches from nature; and the public has lately had the privilege of seeing reproductions of some of her work. Her drawings from the figure are spirited and forcible, and her animals are full of life and " go." The writer is not aware whether the Prince of Wales is himself an artist, but he does know how keen an interest he takes in art in general, and in that of his own country in particular. The time and personal attention which he has devoted on different occasioss to our art exhibits at various great international exhibitions would alone be proof of the love he bears for art. Several of the other members of the Royal family practice painting admirably. The late Princess Alice possessed unusual artistic powers ; we all know the Princess Beatrice's work ; and the Princess Louise, besides being a first-rate landscape - painter, has lately turned her artistic talent in a new direction, and has produced a statue of the Queen for the west front of Lichfield Cathedral, which is full of dignity, and possesses beauty or! line. — Magazine of Art for June.

Rest and Health

One should eat when hungry, sleep when sleepy, and rest when weary. Best is necessary to the health. You cannot rest until you are tired. If you never exert yourself sufficiently to incur fatigue you will never experience the delicious sensation of rest. Some persons never rest because they are never tired, and others never rest, because they are always tired, and never give themselves time to rest till the grave closes over fchem. Yes, I have seen the overworked mother ol a family with her white, sad, careworn face still toiling on and overburdened and wasting away day by day, and such have little sympathy in life, and few mourn their death, which is always premature. One thrust aside the cup of life in the midst of her work, and when the neighbour women were dressing the white form for the grave they spoke of her good qualities as a housekeeper, her unceasing work and unwearying care for her family, and the long months of suffering, through which she had never faltered, never called for assistance, bui. still daily performed the same routine of labour as when in good health. Such instances are not infrequent, and the death that comes from overwork is a lingering and cruel death. There are few women who know how to rest. One will work on till she is ready to faint and can work no longer, and sit or lie down, and still keep thinking over and over the many turns that must be done as soon as she can possibly gather courage to go forward, and, when she does arise and resume her toil, she wonders why she has not rested in the heart, and thinks, "Will rest never come ?" If you would rest thoroughly you must forget that you ever have any more work to do— that you ever have overworked yourself — forget your surroundings entirely, and think something pleasant, or think nothing, and' you will be surprised to find how soon rest will come. — Toledo Blade.