SIR SIDNEY COLVIN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3829, 2 August 1927, Page 74

SIR SIDNEY COLVIN.

* n tb ~ r , references to the death of Sir Sidney Colvin, art and literary critic, who T^,dn a * Sed aWa h at c the age of 81 - the London papers all refer prominently to his friendship with Robert Louis Stevenson J 3 '™?.* s ?’, who " as knighted in 1911, wm the third son of Mr Bazett Colvin wa » born at Norwood on June 18, itwb. After a successful university career opening with a scholarship and closing with a Fellowship at Trinity College. Cambridge b ' s un, versitv between 1873 and director of the Fitzwilliam Museum a !- d0 Profosi ’ or Art. In his »v nd j da ?- Ure - for Professorship he had r;vnl d, n S + l w Ctl j n a? f J dcf< g ting so eminent a ri^ a a t Ford Madox Brown. What made him turn his attention to art was the influence of Ruskin, whom he knew from his earliest boyhood, and who gave him a lesson in drawing when ho was nine years old. Sir Sidnev’s fine taste his caution m purchasing and his faculty for stimulating th 0 generosity of donors have left an abiding mark on the Fitzwdham collectton. The vivacity which never deserted him also proved a strong stimulus to his pupils in the study and practice of ..the fine arts, He was. the first man in London (says the Morning Post) to recognise the genius of. Robert Louis Stevenson. Thus began a friendshin which survived all shocks of time and change.- which separation by half the world seemed only to render more close and more assiduous; and which hits its monument in the “Vailima Letters.” in the two volumes of Stevenson’s correspondence. and in the final presentation of his works. In on© of his letters from the South Seas, in reolv to a protest against .his continued residence there. Stevenson wrote describing Colvin as “the most beloved of all’’ his friends. . Tn general literature Sir Sidney’s most important achievements were the Edinburgh edition of Robert Louis Stevenson’s complete works, the collection of Stevenson's correspondence, the lives of Keats and Landor in Morley’s ‘‘Englishmen of Letters, and his ‘‘Memories and Notes ” published as Into as 1921.

Priceless relics of Robert. Louis Stevenson will nass to new ownership in conseoucnce of Sir Sidney’s death. Si r J. M. Barrie eaid of him :

”T would forge! to counle Mary Lamb with Charles as soon as think of ‘R L S’ taking off my hat to Sidney Col-

The extraordinary increase of Stevenson admirers in recent years has aroused speculation regarding the ultimate destination of the large number of unpublished letters, and other Stevensoniana, which were for so many years the most treasured possessions of Sir Sidney Colvin. A year or so ago Sir Sidney confided to a Daily Express representative his intentions regarding the future of these relics, and his death removes the bar which has hitherto precluded any reference to them. The whole of the letters, many of which are of great interest, are bequeathed to the Advocates’ Library of Edinburgh on the condition that none of them is published for another 10 years. Most of these letters were written by Stevenson prior to 1878 to the late Lady Colvin when she was Mrs Sitwell, while others were written to Sir Sidney himself, the most recent, written from Vailima, bearing the date 1894. There are, in all, 102 letters, and they are enclosed in a large mahogany case of antique design and exquisite workmanship. The letters are in,separate envelopes, which are arranged in chronological order. The possession of this case and its contents was not only a great joy. but also a heavy responsibility to Sir Sidney Colvin during the latter years of his life.

“It must, in view of the prices paid by collectors for R. L. S. letters, be worth many thousands of pounds,’’ said Sir Sidney when going through its contents. The letters are written for the most part in a clear, upright, neat hand, with here and there a printed word by way of emphasis. The spelling is not beyond . reproach, a fact which evoked from Sir Sidney the remark, ‘‘Ah! R. L. S. never could spell.” His Stevenson relics also included Tusitala’s white linen cap, his riding crop, and spurs. These, which were sent from Samoa immediately after Stevenson’s death, are bequeathed by Sir Sidney to tb“ Edinburgh Stevenson Museum. In an appreciation the Daily Chronicle says:—lt is no disparagement of the many distinguished services which Sir Sidney Colvin rendered to art and letters to say that he will chiefly live for posterity by reason of his inspiring friendship with Robert Louis Stevenson. It should not make us overlook his scholarship, his knowledge of art, the influence of his example and teachings at Cambridge, his authoritative contributions to the reviews, or his fruitful work in the department of prints and drawings at the British Museum. Such works as his “Life of Keats” and his edition of the poet’s letters have been among the important literary events of his time. But Colvin has done more than this to ensure himself a memorable place in the history of literature. His association with Stevenson provided an intimate friendship which left its mark not only on Stevenson’s writings, but on all the rich legend of his romantic life. And in that long association it is certain that Colvin gave as much as he received, encouraging, advising, and to some extent disciplining that too picturesque but still enchanting person. Nor did his services to Stevenson end with the latter’s death. His judicious editions of his works and letters and his jealous guardianship of his title to fame helped to enhance and extend his vogue, not the less creditably because his praise did not always stop “this side idolatry.”