“But, Monsieur Edouart,” says one of these, “you have taken John, who is a head taller than his brother William, a great deal smaller. How can that be? It is a mistake of yours; you must correct that.” “You must know, madam,” replies the silhouettist, “that it is according to the rule of perspective. Do you not see that John is at least six yards farther in the background than his brother?” “Yes! but his is cut smaller,” persists the aggrieved parent. Gentlemen demanding ladies’ profiles were refused by this veritable Mrs. Grundy of silhouettists. His refusal is given in language worthy of the Fairchild family. “Ladies are never exhibited, nor duplicates of their likenesses either sold or delivered to anyone but themselves or by their special order. This resolution I have taken, and I follow it very strictly, being fully aware of the consequence that would result if this measure was not adopted. Gentlemen presume that they are entitled to possess the likenesses of any ladies they like. But no—no—they cannot deceive me by false pretences. I am too much upon my guard to be surprised. The books in which I keep duplicates are all defended with a patent lock.” Monsieur Edouart rivals the serpent in wiliness when a lady’s portrait is so desired and the gentleman offers the address where it should be sent. The artist says, “I do not require to know your direction, gentlemen. I know that of the lady, to whom I shall send it, and she herself will deliver it to you.” We should imagine that, under those conditions, orders were usually cancelled. “Some make themselves pass for relations,” adds Edouart, who is not without a sense of humour, though he does take himself so seriously, “as a brother, cousin, uncle, etc., but all this is in vain.” Edouart seems to have used special means of his own to extract payment of debts, and his illustration “The Screw” shows in what manner his clients were brought to book. The episode is described at great length in his book, but unfortunately the name of the sitter for “The Screw” is withheld. Briefly, a young man had his portrait cut, approved of the likeness, but regretted, after seeing a picture of a friend in a dress-coat, that he had not also worn that kind. In a very rude manner he said he would not pay for the completed likeness until another was done in a dress-coat. Edouart said he must be paid for both. This the man refused, so the artist refused to cut the second picture and was left with the portrait on his hands. To cut the screw and add the ring and hook was the work of a few moments, and the picture was then exhibited in a conspicuous position in the window, where everyone recognised it. “Since that time, I have not had occasion to make a screw,” adds Edouart, naïvely.