part of a house which stood , and still stands , at a corner in Elgin Road , leading into Maida Vale. There was no regular studio, no "top light" and painters' glass-houses were comparatively a rarity ; but each painting-room , Leslie s on the first , mine on the second floor , had no fewer than five windows: a circumstance that Leslie , who was then beginning to paint open-air pictures , utilised in getting novel effects of lighting. His "Rose Harvest," which he fancied contributed in a measure to his ultimate election as A.R.A., was painted here. He gave me some hints for my book , and some anecdotes of which L availed myself in the text.
I have to express my grateful acknowledgments to my friends , the Editors of the "Spectator," for grant- wig me permission to make use of some of my con- tributions to that journal. A lifetime had elapsed since last we met : the interview was short , but very pleasant. They were the same as ever , kind- hearted and friendly — though Time had furrowed our faces more deeply , and greyed the heads that had been black or brown.
And I must ref er gratefully to the kindness shown me by my friend Byron Webber , who has been my literary adviser throughout , ever ready with valuable
