Sir John E. Millas on His Early Struggles.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 206, 11 June 1887, Page 2

Sir John E. Millas on His Early Struggles.

Silt Jonx E. Millais recently distributed the prizes to the fmcce>->ful students of the Sheffield School of Art, and took advantage of the occasion to narrate scvcial eventfuf episodes of hi-> life. Fifty years ago his parents hi ought him from Jersey to Southampton, and thence to London. As they approached the metropolis on the top of a mail coach, he remembered that he ob-ened a gieat red glow in the sky which ■was new to him, and he asked his mother what it was. "My boy,"' she said, " those are the lights of London "-the London in ■which ho was to sink or swim. Two days later he w.is taken by his mother to Sir Archer Martin Slice, then President of bhe Tlojal Academy, who received them -\s ith old-farfhioned kindness and politeness. His mother, who was a clever practical woman (and here he should like to pay that he owed everything to his mother), 10.-st not a moment in telling the President the object of their visit. She told him how their neighbours and friends in Jersey thought gicatly of his talent -, that she would not tru->t to the opinion of friends, and so siio had come to him to ascertain from the best source whether it would bo prudent for his father to bring him up as an artist. The first remalk which Sir Martin Slice made he should never forget. ITc said, " Madam, you had botter bring the boy up to bo a chimney-sweep." They could imagine that his hopes looked very black indeed. Nothing daunted, his mother replied, "But surely, Sir Martin, you will look at the boy's drawings before you | decide." Thereupon a portfolio was brought | up from the hall and opened and inspected by the President. After giving the drawings some careful attention the President turned to him, placed his hand upon his | head, and looked him steadfastly in the face, saying " You did all these drawings yourself, my little man?" He was too frightened to answer, bub the President evidently thought) he was not an impostor, | for, turning to his mother, he said emphatically, " Madam, it is your duty to bring this boy up to the profession." (Cheers. ) Following this advice, he was at once placed with Mr Sass, in Bloomsbury, but Mr Sass was unfortunately ill, and he must say he gob i little or no instruction from him. But he was placed among companions who were much older than himself, some very clever draughtsmen among the number, and he improved by looking at their work and obtaining their criticism upon his own work. He could not too strongly insist upon the advantage students might be to one another. At Mr Sass's he worked hard, very hard for so young a boy, and made great progress. From that school he went into the lloyal Academy as a probationer, and after passing a qualifying examination he became a student. As the youngest student, he remembered one duty in connection with those early days. He was told ofT by the other students daily to obtain their luncheons for them. (Laughter.) He had to collect from 40 to 50 pence from his companions and go with that hoard to a neighbouring baker's and purchase as many buns. (Laughter.) He had an eye to business even in those days, for ho gob a commission upon the transaction. (Laughter.) He always got a bun for himself gratis (laughter and cheers), and the good-natured baker gave him

his- fcesfc' bun - a bath bun, value 2d. T» the very first year of his studentship he' entered' for a prize, a medal given J fatt the j bestdrawinginthe antique, and failed %'ono 1 vote,. so< fihnt he could thoroughly syim pathise with those students who weiwnofr taking prices that night. The next yeairhV again- triedv and to his joj^ and astonieh--ment hewotj a first of three prizes. Sirae^ Ulien he had" tried for many medals, and HeRoped they would not think it immodest hvHimito say tliat ho had always won thems, bwcauso'itwaa a simple fact. (Gheors.)