Complete Works of Wilkie Collins (2135 page)

The object of the great painter’s journey was to gather materials for a series of Scripture subjects, among the descendants of the people with whom all the remarkable passages of the Bible are connected, and in the localities consecrated by the Divine events of the redemption of the world. This is, however, so generally known through the interesting details on the subject in Mr. Cunningham’s Biography, as to render reference to it here almost unnecessary. Of Mr. Collins’s sentiments on his friend’s important pilgrimage to Jerusalem, of his full conviction of the success that awaited him in the new field of Art he was about to enter, ample evidence will be presented in a letter shortly to be inserted. In the meantime, an anecdote, contained in the painter’s MS. notices of Wilkie’s character, of the parting, and, as it afterwards proved, of the last earthly interview of these two firm friends, will be perused with interest:

“I went over to see Wilkie,” writes Mr. Collins, “a day or two before he left home, on his last journey. He showed me all his contrivances for prosecuting his studies in Jerusalem, and spoke of the enthusiasm he must feel in painting from a young woman and child at Bethlehem, on the very spot, as the ‘motivo’ for a picture of a Holy Family. After he had put everything in order again, he said, ‘But now I must show you my guide-book.’ He then, took out a parcel, carefully enveloped in a cloth covering, — it was the Bible.

“I never saw him again; but, from many remarks in the letters I received from him during his absence, I have no doubt the book he showed me was truly his Guide.”

The blank in his social enjoyments caused by Sir David Wilkie’s departure, was strongly felt by my father. With all his enthusiasm for his friend’s projects, he could not conceal from his mind, the evident personal risk — for one whose health was so delicate, as Wilkie’s — of travelling to eastern climates. News of his progress therefore, as he advanced towards the great place of his destination, was awaited with anxiety, as well as pleasure; and the first letter that he wrote to Mr. Collins from Constantinople, announcing his arrival and describing his impressions on his route, was perused, as may be imagined, with the deepest interest. The answer to it was as follows:

“To SIR DAVID WILKIE, R.A.

“85, Oxford-terrace, 23rd February, 1840.

“Dear Sir David, — Your letter was a most gratifying sight to our family circle, confirming, under your own hand, all the good news we had heard at various times from your brother and sister. Our first anxiety respecting the voyage to Rotterdam, was happily soon relieved, and was succeeded by a curiosity and interest about your future proceedings, felt in common by all who know you, either in the capacity of friend or admirer. Indeed, should the political state of the countries now before you, and between you, and the objects you have in view in the Holy Land, render them unattainable, what you have already seen must afford materials, in your hands, highly attractive to a public now more interested in eastern matters than during any former period; and as figure-painters have done so little ‘upon the spot,’ and the material for landscape draughtsmen is at best hackneyed, I cannot but think your new line will be more than the world is accustomed to see from travellers in quest of subjects of a temporary character. You have hit upon a treatment of subject calculated to afford a lasting enjoyment, and one for the attainment of a glimpse of which Rembrandt must have been inspired a fact now confirmed by your testimony, for the benefit of those who ever doubted it.*

* This refers to the following observation in Sir D. Wilkie’s letter: “The painter who has most truly given us an eastern people is Rembrandt. The Scripture subjects of Rembrandt are recalled to us at every turn, by what we see before us; and this anticipating power of rendering what he never could have seen, raises the great painter of Amsterdam even higher than we had thought him.”

The passages omitted in Mr. Collins’s letter, refer at great length to private Academy business, which can be in no way interesting to the general reader.

“* * * There are great forebodings respecting our next Exhibition. The fears entertained, that your absence will prevent your supplying us with attractions always looked for from you; the absence of Landseer, still at Geneva, and I fear not likely to contribute much, should he even return; Callcott’s ill health; and the apprehension that others, usually attractive, will not have time for great works; all conspire to produce, and indeed to give, serious reasons for anticipations of short- comings. I have however often seen that similar fears have not been justified, and we must therefore hope for the best.

“Your kind inquiries about our personal affairs, I am happy to be able to answer favourably. My health continues in our new abode, and on our new soil, in every respect well; and we are comfortably housed, although not in the dwelling which you were informed I had bought; which owing to the slippery conduct of its owner, I lost. Although I did not require your house as a temporary abode, believe me, I am equally impressed with your kind consideration in offering it.

“Richmond has gone to Rome, with the intention of “painting an historical picture; Leslie is painting something in secret; and Callcott, as usual, doing what his friend Allan calls, ‘cabinet pictures.’

“I gave your letter into the hands of your sister, and I shall send to-morrow, before this goes to the post; and if they have aught to say, will communicate it to you. I presented, as you desired, your kind regards to as many of our brethren as I have seen, since I received your letter. They are all delighted to hear so good an account of you, and the interest they take in your welfare is very great. Jones, with whom I come most in contact, desires his best remembrances, as do our other friends; and I trust our joint prayers for you will be heard. When you can spare a few minutes, let us know something more about your proceedings. Give our best regards to Mr. Woodburn; and believe me,

“Ever yours obliged and faithfully,

“WILLIAM COLLINS.”

With the exception of one short visit to the country, my father remained, during the whole of this year, actively engaged on the pictures he was preparing for the Exhibition of the next spring. It may be mentioned in this place, as showing the remarkable effect of change of soil on some constitutions, that, after he had removed to Oxford-terrace he suffered no further inconvenience from the complaint in his eyes, until the date of his brief stay at a friend’s house, above noticed. Here, the dwelling he inhabited being built on clay, the inflammatory symptoms appeared again almost immediately; subsiding, however, as quickly on his return to his own abode, built on gravel.

On the opening of the Exhibition of 1841, Mr. Collins again wrote on Academy news to Sir David Wilkie, who had by that time accomplished the great object of his journey, by reaching Jerusalem:

“To SIR DAVID WILKIE, R.A.

“85, Oxford-terrace, May 3rd, 1841.

“My dear Wilkie, — Your sister has been so kind as to allow me room in her letter to say a few words; and as my space is small, I will begin at once with that which will be most interesting to you, considering the terrible distance you are at present from us all. The private view at the Academy, your sister will have described to you. The dinner, went off remarkably well; we had a most respectable company, and the great feature of the day was the presence of the Duke of Wellington, about whose health the greatest anxiety has prevailed of late. He looks much better than he did last year, and by a fortunate coincidence, Saturday (the day of the dinner) was his birthday. Upon this point, our President was more than usually eloquent. His Grace returned thanks in a vigorous and feeling manner, and the enthusiasm of the guests surpassed anything I ever saw in so distinguished a party. The Duke retired early; and in passing round the tables to the door, shook hands with almost every person in his route, amidst clapping of hands and every demonstration of respect and affection. The Marquis of Lansdowne made an admirable address to the President and Gentlemen of the Academy, congratulating them and the country, on the tendency of the English school towards the sublime subjects of Scripture. This was responded to by Sir Martin Shee, in one of his best speeches; in which I am most happy to say you formed a prominent part. His eulogy on your talents and character was most warm; and he set forth the great expectation with which the world looked forward to your return, quite admirably. He then noticed the absence of Edwin Landseer and Callcott, with much feeling, and led all to hope that, that absence was only temporary; regretted the want of taste for large works; set before the Government the fine opportunities now afforded them of decorating the Houses of Parliament with objects worthy of so great a nation; and trusted that “the rivalry of the Upholsterers,” was on the decline.

“My own opinion of the Exhibition, which I am happy to say is the general one, is that the present show is most creditable to the Institution. Pictures of great interest are to be found in every corner; and although the Hanging Committee have had a most difficult task to perform — owing chiefly to the two half-lengths of the Queen and Prince Albert, by Partridge, being placed under the line — they have done it with great justice. What will be thought of them out of doors, I cannot say; but I fear there will be much dissatisfaction. The Octagon-room is crammed, and the Architectural-room looks a sad medley.

“Lord John Russell, on Friday, startled everybody by a declaration of his intention to bring on a motion, after Whitsuntide, upon the Corn-Laws. This, and the agitating state of politics generally, absorbs public attention, which is unfortunate for the Arts. We must, however, go on hoping.

“We are all longing most earnestly for letters from you — pray write to us as soon as you can. Did you get a letter in answer to that you wrote me, on the 15th October? — the only one I have received. I have always heard about you, when you have written to your brother and sister; and we all pray for your safe return it seems years since you left us. We are, thank Heaven, well; and this place so thoroughly agrees with me, that I have been able to work hard, and have five pictures at the Royal Academy. Adieu.

“Ever yours,

“WILLIAM COLLINS.”

The following interesting answer by Sir David Wilkie to Mr. Collins’s first communication of the 30th November, was the last letter that his friend ever received by his hand:

“To W. COLLINS, ESQ., R.A.

“Jerusalem, April 2nd, 1841.

“My dear Collins, — Your most pleasant and welcome letter, brought up greatly my leeward information of what is going on in the civilized world; and knowing both your own and Mrs. Collins’s anxiety to receive every idea or remark that may be suggested by the earthly appearance of the land of Scripture, I cannot resist an invasion upon you, however hasty and crude it may be in the pouring forth, from the ancient Salem.

“All was expectation and eagerness, as you may suppose, on our first approach to Syria. Mount Lebanon, high in the clouds, and covered with perpetual snows, was the first sign of the land of the Prophets; but we had to skirt along by ‘the coast of Tyre and Sidon,’ till we came to Jaffa, before we set foot on the sacred shore. From Jaffa, or Joppa, where we were shown the house of Simon the Tanner, where the vision of St. Peter was seen that has given us the fair use of so many of the good things of this world, we proceeded through the plain of Sharon, to Arimathea. Here we stopped for the night at the Latin Convent, and next morning were up betimes, and in that sort of active preparation, which those cannot fail to be in, who expect before night to reach Jerusalem. Nothing could be more wild than the route, as we ascended the mountains of Judea; we rose higher and higher; and if sometimes descending, it was only afterwards to rise higher still. At mid-day we stopped, a most numerous and picturesque party, at a small spring or fountain of living waters, said to be where the stripling David picked up the pebble, with which he slew the giant Philistine. Having thus reached high above all height, with nought but an extended moor or table-land before us, we looked ahead; and not till after miles of level course, we saw the leader come to a stand, and indicate as we came up what a sight was before us. It was Jerusalem! Whether we should have discharged our fire-arms, or albeit have rent our Mackintoshes, at this most desired sight in the world, it is useless now to decide. When reflections are not loud but deep, the flare-up of effect is the last thing thought of. We scarcely stopped to compare thoughts, but jogged on, tracing with the eye the earthly form and extent of the Eternal City; which, after all her tribulations, presents even at this least imposing view, the adamantine appearance of durability. Her white stone walls and high square towers, recalled a little of Windsor Castle; though the extent of wall, as it reached round Mount Zion to the Valley of Hinnim, is more impressive to the eye than any walled city I have seen. Our route led us to the Gate of Bethlehem; whence, with our procession of horses, mules, and luggage, we proceeded by walls and narrow lanes, and were received and lodged with all due hospitality by the Latin Convent.