IT WASN'T ART

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXXVI, Issue 23, 11 June 1908, Page 38

IT WASN'T ART

One of the best stories concerning the late George dv Maurier is that about a pavement artist who some years ago was a familiar object to frequenters of the Hampstead Road. Dv Maurier often dropped a coin into the poor man's hat. One cold day- the author of Trilby- told him to leave his ' pitch ' and go to the model soup kitchen in Euston Road to get some food Dv Maurier, for fun, said he would take charge of his hat. When the man was out. of sight he rubbed out the pictures of dogs, soldiers, etc., and commenced sketching portraits in chalks of the society people he used to draw for *• Punch.' Passers-by stopped to look and gave pence. When the man returned he was pleased to find so much in his hat, but was sorry that his work had been destroyed. ' This may attract some people, but it ain't art,' he said to the amused Dv Maurier, as he commenced wiping out the society ladies and gentlemen. ' Now, this pleases every one,' he continued, drawing the picture of a soldier.