Mr. John Pettie was born in Edinburgh, and exhibited his earliest works in the Royal Scottish Academy. He came to London at the age of twenty-three, and at the age of twenty-seven was elected an A.R.A. His election to the distinction of R.A. took place when he was thirty-four, in the place of Sir Edwin Landseer. Mr. Pettie's portraits and historical pictures are within the knowledge of every reader--his armour, carbines, lances, broadswords, and pistols are well-known features in every year's Academy--for his subjects are chiefly scenes of battle and of military life. His first picture hung in the Royal Academy was "The Armourers," He has also painted many subjects from Shakespeare's works; his "Scene in the Temple Gardens" being one of his most popular productions. "The Death Warrant" represents an episode in the career of the consumptive little son of Henry VIII. and Jane Seymour. In "Two Strings to His Bow," Mr. Pettie showed a considerable sense of humour. THE DUCHESS OF TECK. [Illustration: AGE 6. _From a Painting._] [Illustration: AGE 7 _From a Drawing by James R. Swinton._] [Illustration: AGE 17. _From a Painting by A. Winterhalter._] [Illustration: AGE 40. _From a Painting._] [Illustration: PRESENT DAY. _From a Photo. by Russell & Sons._] Princess Mary Adelaide, daughter of H.R.H. Prince Adolphus Frederick, Duke of Cambridge, the seventh son of His Majesty King George III., married on June 12th, 1866, H.S.H. the Duke of Teck, whose portrait at different ages we have the pleasure of presenting on the opposite page. The Duchess of Teck and her daughter Princess Victoria are well known and esteemed far beyond their own circle of society for their interest in works of charity and the genuine kindness of heart, which render them ever ready to enter into schemes of benevolence. We may remind our readers that a charming series of portraits of Princess Victoria of Teck appeared in our issue of February, 1892. THE DUKE OF TECK. BORN 1837. [Illustration: AGE 3. _From a Painting._] [Illustration: AGE 5. _From a Painting by Johan Elmer._] [Illustration: AGE 28. _From a Painting._] [Illustration: AGE 40. _From a Painting._] [Illustration: PRESENT DAY. _From a Photo. by Elliott & Fry._] His Serene Highness Francis Paul Charles Louis Alexander, G.C.B., Prince and Duke of Teck, is the only son of Duke Alexander of Würtemberg and the Countess Claudine Rhédy and Countess of Hohenstein, a lady of a most illustrious but not princely house. It is not generally known that a family law, which decrees that the son of a marriage between a prince of the Royal Family of Würtemberg and a lady not of princely birth, however nobly born, cannot inherit the crown, alone prevents the Duke of Teck from being King of Würtemberg. The Duke of Teck has served with distinction in the Army, having received the Egyptian medal and the Khedive's star, together with the rank of colonel. REV. H. R. HAWEIS, M.A. BORN 1838.