"Just the thing," said Bowles. And so we settled it, and since then, like the Soap man (this is not an advertisement), I have used no other (with one exception, of which I will tell later). Becoming a permanent member of the staff of _Vanity Fair_ and my dream more than realized, I turned my attention to caricature whole-heartedly and with infinite pleasure. On the publication of my first drawing, Pellegrini called upon Gibson Bowles (rather suddenly, considering his previous indifference and silence), to tell him in flattering terms what he thought of the caricature, and to inquire into the identity of the artist. _I_ in my turn received the following letter from Mr. Arthur Lewis. Thorpe Lodge, March, 1873. MY DEAR LESLIE WARD, I've just got my last week's _Vanity Fair_. I presume the admirable cartoon of Professor Owen is yours, as you said you'd some idea of doing him for a trial of your skill. I cannot refrain from sending you my congratulations on so successful a commencement. Without flattering, I can tell you that I think it almost (if at all) without exception the best of the whole series. I hope we may have many more of such quaint yet kindly caricatures from your pencil. Believe me, Sincerely yours, ARTHUR LEWIS. I was extremely pleased to receive this flattering letter and encouragement from a man whom I admired; whose opinions, as those of an amateur artist of undoubted ability, were worth considering; and who was entirely in sympathy with my choice of a career. Mr. Arthur Lewis knew everybody in literary and artistic circles; at his house in Campden Hill all the most delightful artists and _artistes_ of the day came to amuse and be amused. There, in the garden, where one might imagine oneself miles away from London, Mrs. Arthur Lewis (Kate Terry of former years) entertained, and, in the summer time, gave charming garden parties. [Illustration: THOMAS GIBSON BOWLES (TOMMY), _Founder of "Vanity Fair."_ 1905] [Illustration: COLONEL HALL WALKER. 1906.] [Illustration: COLONEL FRED. BURNABY. 1876.] Before his marriage, Mr. Lewis was noted for his suppers at Moray Lodge, where he once entertained the Prince of Wales. It was from this house, by the way, that the Moray Minstrels derived their name.