Englishmen became a large majority, and the French tongue was seldom heard save at the bi-weekly
visit of the Professor, for whom the services of an interpreter were often required. A reaction against this state of affairs set in some years ago, and at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts especially, the admission of strangers was rendered very difficult, though persistence on the part of an applicant was seldom unsuccessful.
Of the Ecole, as it is generally called, the Govern- ment School of the Fine Arts, nothing need be said. Much lias been written regarding it in late years, and the outside studios supply sufficient matter for detail or comment. Students of sculpture and architecture are scarcely less numerous than painters in Paris. They have their own manners and usages, differing in some points from those of their brothers of the brush ; they occupy, moreover, separate quarters of the city, though often overlapping one another. Of recent years, driven from the overcrowded Latin quarter in seai-ch of better light and lower rents, there has sprung up in the neighbourhood of the Gare Montparnasse quite a nest of studios of all kinds. This is a part of the city unknown to the tourist. Popular attractions there are non-existent, and the endless lines of half-finished streets have a depressing effect on most people. Disputing the ground with foundries and factories, and differing little from them in outward appearance, are some of the most noted students' ateliers of Paris. To the aspirant fresh from some palatial school of art in England or Scotland the outlook is not inviting. Armed probably with a letter of introduction to the mossier, the secretary and treasurer of the studio elected annually, he knocks timidly at the door, which he has found with difficulty. A yell of 'Ent)-es r invites him to proceed, and he finds liimself in the centre of the room, keenly scrutinised by some, calmly ignored by most, who proceed with their work. Some facetious Frenchman, pretending to mistake the visitor for a model in search of work, will most likely shout out ^ Deshabillez-vous,' but the massier, who by this time understands that he is wanted, politely inquires his business. Mustering his best French, the newcomer explains that he desires the honour of numbering himself among the pupils of the celebrated Mons. Z. The massier looks grave. Very sorry, studio quite full, many refused already, but if he will go and see the patron, on Sunday morning before nine, perhaps something might be done later. On the Sunday morning accordingly the would- be pupil, armed with some of his sketches and studies, proceeds to the private studio of the great man, marvelling at the early hours affected by genius. The errand is stated, the portfolio produced, and its contents looked over with condescending interest veiled by scarcely concealed contempt. After a terrible moment of uncertainty, the maitre unbend- ing, discerning perhaps some trait' of originality in the work submitted to him, indicates to liis anxious visitor that he may commence work at the atelier on Monday, provided there is space. He at the same time liands his card to the elevated youth, who will present the same to the massier in token of the autocrat's approval. Half-past seven the following morning finds the embryo artist at the school ; there is a large muster of students, as to-day the fresh model is posed, and places balloted for the entire week. But little notice is taken of the stranger for some time, the bustle and excitement regarding the pose occupying everybody. A compassionate Englishman at length comes to the rescue, and explains that he had better begin work from the hosse in an adjoin- ing room, and hold himself ready for all possible contingencies. That the dernier nouveau has his duties soon becomes apparent. Loud cries of ' Charbon! incite him to replenish the stove with coke ; and this is no sooner done than he is admonished, by numerous requests for petits pains, to procure the same from a neighbouring baker's shop. At the first rest, after premonitory hints, the universal cry of ' Poncli, ponch, dernier nouveau^ becomes more peremptory, and his former adviser recommends a prompt compliance with the demand. The inevitable cafe at the corner soon supplies the wonted beverage, for which the novice pays. He may be invited to sing a song, in some ateliers he may even be subjected to some annoyance, but as a rule the bienvenu is generally held as sufficient initiation. It is the wisest as well as the most dignified policy for the nouveau to accept the situation frankly, and do what he is ordered willingly ; he may thus almost immediately fall into the ranks, and avoid unnecessary fagging. His main duties, in addition to those already alluded to, will be to procure black soap occasionally for brush washing, and form one of a search party for a model, should the one engaged not turn up.
The often dirty, and even squalid, surroundings in a Parisian atelier, the almost constant noise and inevitable tobacco smoke, frequently disturb the equanimity of youths gently nurtured in the prim proprieties of British Art Schools; but a few months' inoculation generally accustom the most particular to the change, and one gets quite to like it. Very earnest work is pursued in this dirty, comfortless room, and the latest arrival is soon deeply engrossed in search of les valeurs. From the antique he is in
