"However, I went. I vividly remember it. When I entered, there was the canvas laid down on the stage for a Roman scene. The actors were rehearsing on the space in front. So Mr. Doyle--for that was the man's name--instructed me in perspective, and I learnt the artistic value of things that I had long seen in Nature. The theatrical company left--it used to go a sort of circuit to Canterbury, Faversham, Hastings, and Maidstone, and when they came again next year I helped him once more. I still continued coach-painting--Mr. Burgess employing me to do the rough work--rubbing down the carriages, lying on my back underneath--grinding colours, etc. When I was sixteen the company returned. Poor Doyle died, and I was engaged as scene painter at a guinea a week. So I went with them to Faversham. I well remember my only appearance as an actor. The piece to be played was 'Macbeth,' and the scenery used was some I had painted for 'Rob Roy.' The manager told me I must play the part of the bleeding Captain, and I wore a Scotch dress--intended for _Norval_--which Mr. Smollet, an actor, had given to me for painting some imitation lace on a dark dress he had. Well, I simply broke down, and was positively conducted off the stage. Buckstone played _Ross_ in this production. It was the first time I ever met him. He was a dapper little fellow--very lively and brimming over with fun. We remained bosom friends to the day of his death. When he got prosperous and had married a second wife, every other Sunday I used to go and dine with him. He was just then beginning to get very deaf. "One night I said to him: 'Buck, I want a private box.' "'All right, Sidney, whenever you like.' "'Next Tuesday, eh?' "'All right, my boy--next Tuesday.' "After dinner we were chatting, and I said: 'Well, I've got my sketch-book with me, and in return for the box I'll draw your wife's portrait and the baby. It won't take a quarter of an hour.' So they sat. I drew a sheep and a lamb suckling." [Illustration: THE FLOCK MASTER'S HOPE. _From the Painting by T.S. Cooper, R.A._]